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  • Top 7 Triggers of Sundowning to Avoid If You Live With a Senior With Alzheimer's Disease

    April 10, 2023

    Seniors with Alzheimer's can experience sundowning where they become agitated or confused in the late afternoon or early evening. To minimize sundowning symptoms, it's essential to avoid certain triggers.

  • Getting Comfortable With Technology: Secure Apps And Programs for Seniors (And Which Ones Aren't)

    March 15, 2023

    As technology becomes more prevalent in our daily lives, it's important for seniors to have access to safe and secure apps and programs. By understanding the risks and benefits of technology, seniors can make informed decisions and enjoy the advantages of the digital age without compromising their safety.

  • Physical Therapy Made Simple - Easy Exercises for Seniors Done Daily at Home

    March 14, 2023

    Staying active is essential for seniors to maintain their health and independence, but it can be challenging to find exercises that are easy to do at home. This article provides a helpful guide to simple exercises for seniors that can be done daily at home, even without the need for any special equipment.

  • What Are the Best Types of Assisted Living Programs for Different Levels of Mental Decline?

    March 4, 2023

    Seniors near the end of their lives can often experience different levels of mental decline. Here are four types of assisted living programs that can help to fit each senior's needs.

  • Are There Assistance Programs if You Have Trouble Paying Medical Bills for a Senior Family Member?

    March 1, 2023

    Paying for the medical expenses of a senior family member can be challenging. Here there are several assistance programs designed to help with medical bills.

  • How to Install a Temporary Ramp At Home While Caring for Senior Relatives

    February 26, 2023

    Need to install a temporary ramp for a senior relative at home? Our step-by-step guide has got you covered, from measuring the slope to securing it in place to help make the process easy and stress-free.

  • Ideas for Creative Birthday Celebrations (When Everyone Can't Be Present)

    February 24, 2023

    Looking for unique and fun ways to celebrate a senior's birthday when everyone can’t be around? Check out our list of creative birthday celebration ideas that are sure to make their day extra special!

  • Home Wheelchair-Friendly: How to Make Your Home More Accessible for a Senior Relative in a Wheelchair

    January 26, 2023

    The basic steps to making a home wheelchair-friendly are well-known—adding a ramp to the entrance, installing grab bars in the bathrooms, and removing obstacles in hallways. These basic rehabs are a good start, but to really make your loved one comfortable and independent at home, you need to consider all the aspects of moving about in a wheelchair.

  • 5 Well-Researched Benefits of Pets for Seniors Living Alone

    January 24, 2023

    We are happy to discuss the benefits of pets for seniors as well as provide services to help you or your loved one care for a pet, including transportation to purchase items for the animal, light housekeeping, and general assistance in caring for the pet.

  • 3 Fun and Stress-Free Travel Plans for Solo Seniors During the Holidays

    December 9, 2022

    The holidays aren't just a good time to connect with friends and family. For seniors who have an open schedule this season, the holidays are a great opportunity for exploring new places and having new adventures. Whether you choose to travel with a spouse or with a dear friend, consider stepping out of your comfort zone and making plans to visit someplace new. This guide from Senior Helpers will help Chicago-area seniors narrow down their list of options for stress-free travel plans this holiday season.

  • Guide to the First Holiday Season With One Surviving Parent

    November 28, 2022

    The pain and grief of losing a spouse are not easy to handle, especially for senior adults. After loving each other and living together for years, seniors may take the demise of a spouse harder than anyone. If you have lost one parent over the past year, it's important to spend more time with the surviving parent and help them through the grief, as it's something they might take time to overcome.

    However, the first holiday season without a loved one can be very emotional and hard on the family. Here are a few tips on how you can spend and enjoy the first holiday with one surviving parent.

     

  • What to Do If Your Elderly Parent's Caregiver Isn't Available During the Holidays

    November 12, 2022

    Caregivers are always ready to take care of elderly parents and help out with family members. There may be times when a caregiver won't be available during the holidays, so here are some tips on what you can do in these situations.

  • Can Seasonal Depression Worsen or Complicate Alzheimer's

    November 2, 2022

    If your loved one exhibits one or more symptoms of SAD, it's important to contact their doctor. Supplementation with vitamin D increases outside time, and other interventions may make it easier to weather the challenges of seasonal depression.

  • 5 Ways to Prepare for the End of Daylight Saving Time on November 6

    October 28, 2022

    In terms of emotional needs, many experience changes in their mood, and those in Northern Hemisphere can even suffer a deficiency of Vitamin D. Less sunlight means there is less Vitamin D in the body, and some believe this contributes to SAD (Seasonal Depression).

     

  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in Seniors

    October 7, 2022

    SAD (Seasonal affective disorder) is a form of depression that occurs at the same time each year. Most often, SAD starts in the fall as the days begin to get shorter and continues into the winter months.

     

     

  • The Do's and Don't's of Bringing Up the Health Concerns of Loneliness for Seniors

    September 14, 2022

    In the words of John Donne, no man is an island. Every human being has a natural need to belong to a community to bond and thrive regardless of age. However, that doesn't always happen to the senior citizens in Chicago, IL. Loneliness is common, that 28% of seniors live alone, and nearly 25% are categorized as socially isolated and lonely

     

  • How to Prepare for Travel and Labor Day Events During Three-Day Weekends

    September 2, 2022

    Labor Day weekend is approaching, and if you're the caretaker of a senior citizen in Cook County, IL, it's time to consider how you will manage your responsibilities over this busy weekend. Will you be taking your elderly loved one out of town? Will they need to host family visitors? 

    Whatever the case may be, here are a few things to consider before and during the holiday weekend from Senior Helpers Chicago.

     

  • 7 Immunizations and Vaccines That Are Important for Senior Adults

    August 31, 2022

    Illinois residents have access to a Vax Verify Portal that provides individual immunization records. For senior adults, it's a convenient way to keep track of their vaccinations. Since the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends seven vaccines for anyone over the age of 65, having online access to those records makes it easy to ensure they are current on the following vaccines.

  • How to Find Local Friend Groups and Meetups With Shared Hobbies This Summer in Chicago

    August 1, 2022

    Whether an individual is a lifelong resident or new to the community, finding new groups and social activities can sometimes be challenging. However, there are several ways to find meetups, events, and like-minded individuals in the Chicago area.

  • How Seniors Can Safely Add Swimming to Their Summer Routine

    July 12, 2022

    Chicago summers can be great fun. They can also be difficult to navigate when the heat and humidity become oppressive. That doesn't mean you need to stay indoors all summer. An outdoor swimming pool may be a perfect place to stay cool as long as you use plenty of sunscreens and stay in the shade when not swimming. 

  • Caregiver's Guide to the Difference Between Heat Stroke and Heat Stress for Seniors

    July 10, 2022

    Summer's arrived in Evanston, Illinois, and that means heat and humidity. The combination can lead to a range of heat illnesses, beginning with heat rash and cramps and progressing to heat stress and stroke. Knowing the signs of heat illnesses can make a difference between positive and negative outcomes.

  • How to Reorganize the Kitchen for Seniors. Your Ultimate In-House Guide

    June 27, 2022

    The kitchen is the heart of the home. It's where we gather, cook and eat. However, as our bodies age, we become less flexible. This leads to a higher risk of falling, inability to reach things on the top shelf, and other difficulties. It's prevalent for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer's, or Parkinson's disease; the kitchen can feel overwhelming and confusing for them. This article will look into ways to reorganize the kitchen and make it safe for seniors.

  • Tips to Guide Seniors to Use Ridesharing Services Such as Uber and Lyft

    June 1, 2022

    For most seniors in the Chicagoland area, safe and reliable transportation is critical to staying independent and healthy. After all, they need rides to meet their doctors, run errands, and meet family and friends. Most people who care for their senior parents are not always around to take them to these errands, especially when you also have work to do. Happily, ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft have made getting around easier and more convenient.

  • How to FaceTime the Grandkids!

    May 31, 2022

    FaceTime is the most common way of video chatting today. It enables seniors to create a long-distance bond that helps in building a strong relationship with their grandkids.

    Despite the challenges of distance and hectic schedules, seniors can find ways to interact with their grandchildren. For grandparents who wish to see their grandkids, the greatest hurdle is distance. Nevertheless, grandparents must maintain contact with their grandchildren sinceit provides them with a mental and emotional boost. To make up for time constraints, grandparents are increasingly using new technology with their grandchildren, such as video chats and FaceTime.

    According to a 2019 AARP poll, 38% of American grandparents use video chat to speak with their grandchildren regularly. Here is a guide on how to FaceTime the grandkids.

  • Parkinson's Disease and Exercise: Is It a Good Idea?

    April 29, 2022

    The dangers of sedentary living are well-known, and exercise is now a firmly established key to keeping your body in top shape. But for people with Parkinson's disease, there are even more reasons to get moving. Exercise can help maintain flexibility, mobility, and endurance—it can also give you a sense of accomplishment, boosts your confidence, and a feeling of control over your life, especially if you depend on senior care. If you're newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD), it's natural to have questions about how exercise will affect you. Here is vital information about exercising with Parkinson's.