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  • Flu Shot Side Effects: What Symptoms to Expect From the Flu Shot (And How to Treat Them)

    December 15, 2022

    Getting a flu shot is an excellent way to protect both the person being vaccinated as well as the rest of the community. While the vaccine is more or less harmless, it's important to acknowledge that some may experience minor side effects after the injection. These side effects can be a bit of a headache (literally), especially for seniors. Here are the flu shot side effects to expect and how to treat them, as described by Healthline.

  • 3 Exercises That Help With Balance and Fall Prevention

    November 3, 2022

    Certain health conditions and certain medications that are used to treat these conditions can impact balance, coordination, and control, especially in the elderly. Learn how seniors can stay active and develop balance and fall prevention skills through the right stretching and strength-building routines.

  • 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/Evanston.

     

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

    June 30, 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.

  • Top 5 Healthy Hobbies That Caregivers Can Participate In

    June 11, 2022

    It is very important that seniors are involved in healthy hobbies as they age. These should be hobbies that they enjoy and ones that are beneficial for them. Having a caregiver participate with them in these hobbies can also be very helpful, and allows them to do hobbies that they otherwise wouldn't be able to do on their own.

    Here are some great healthy hobbies that caregivers can participate in when needed.

     

  • 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 abouthow exercise will affect you. Here is vital information about exercising with Parkinson's.

  • Hiring Private Caregivers vs. Senior Helpers - What are Your Options?

    April 20, 2022

    When you are looking for professional caregivers for a loved one, one of the biggest decisions you will need to make is whether to choose a private caregiver or a caregiver from Senior Helpers. It is important to understand your options and how they may affect your loved one's care.

  • Home Health Care Services via Medicare vs. Non-medical Home Care Services

    April 1, 2022

    Non-medical home care services (for instance, Senior Helpers of Chicago) is provided to a person in their home. Medicare provides Home Health Care with quite a few limitations. Medicare provided Home Health only entails physical and occupational therapy at home and some needed equipment (commodes, walkers, etc.), but it does not assist with activities of daily living. Non-medical home care services will assist with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, as well as transportation. Because it is confusing, it is vital for people considering home health care services to understand what kinds of services are available, who qualifies for these services, and how to access them. 

    We are here to help you out. Read on.

     

  • Roles of Geriatric Care Managers in Seniors' Care

    March 22, 2022

    Getting old has never been easy. You have to navigate the process of finding the appropriate healthcare resources and the best care services. Despite the challenges, the number of people over 65 years in the United States has risen to 16 % and is projected to rise to 23 percent by 2060.

  • Dignity, Privacy, and Self Worth: Caring for Your Parents at Home

    February 28, 2022

    One of the most difficult parts about growing older is the realization that we have moved beyond the time when our parents took care of us. It is now our responsibility to take care of them. These changes can be frightening for everyone and such a delicate situation must be handled with care.

    Our parents' dignity, privacy, and self-worth are at stake. We have to approach any discussion and any changes with sensitivity, discretion, and logic.

  • A Realistic Look at Aging in Place vs Moving to a Senior Care Community | Senior Helpers - Evanston

    February 25, 2022

    We all, eventually, plan for getting older. Over time, living alone may become less practical and the major question becomes how you will make sure that you have the assistance you need. Should you hire a service to help you age at home, or should you move to a continuing care retirement community?

  • Planning for Older Age

    February 7, 2022

    So many people are living quite well into their middle 80s and beyond without too many physical problems. It's so easy to get caught up in the moment and forget about the future. But, now is a great time to start planning. Here are a few things to think about if you want a less stressful future.

  • 5 Ways to Make a Safer Home for Seniors

    February 3, 2022

    Seniors want to be able to live safely and comfortably in their homes. And as we get older, our homes must be updated to meet our new needs. Home improvement can often be difficult, time-consuming, and costly. But there are many easy and inexpensive things you can do to make a safer home for seniors.

  • Understanding Your Long Term Care Insurance Policy and How to Maximize Benefits

    January 11, 2022

    If you or a loved one need long-term care due to advanced age, stroke, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease or other reasons, you may be wondering if it is time to begin using your long-term care insurance policy. Standard health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid generally do not cover the costs associated with long-term care. This is because long-term care is different from medical care, in that it is often focused on assistance with daily living activities, such as bathing and hygiene, using the bathroom, mobility and general day-to-day care, and this is where your long-term care policy comes into play. Read more...

  • Simple and Effective Exercises for People With Parkinson's Disease

    January 4, 2022

    Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that affects the brain and central nervous system. It can affect movement, speech, and other functions. The brain cells that produce dopamine, a chemical that helps control movement, die off over time in people with Parkinson's disease. This can lead to problems with movement and coordination as well as cognitive issues, such as difficulty in thinking, paying attention and memory problems. There is no cure for Parkinson's disease, but there are ways that can help improve symptoms, including regular exercise. Learn more.