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Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Chicago, Illinois, Raises Awareness About Senior, Allergy&Asthma Symptoms Allergies Blooming Earlier – Seniors Suffering Later  (Chicago, Illinois – April2012)-Spring allergies aren’t just for children. They’ve arrived earlier this year due to the warm weather which meanslots of sniffling and sneezing for the growingnumber ofseniorsdeveloping allergies for the very first time in their lives.Allergies and asthma are often thought of as health issues for children – but recently, both conditions are commonlydiagnosed as new conditionsat the senior ages of 55, 65 and 75! In fact,it’s notuncommon for many elderly to be diagnosed with allergies and/or asthma for the very first time above 75 years of age. That’s whySenior Helpers, one of the leading in-home providers of senior care in Chicago, is raising awareness about these growing diagnoses of senior allergies and how to help seniors cope. “Symptoms of these two diseases can be very disruptive during the aging process for many of the 37 million seniors currently living in the U.S.,” says Jonathan Wishnick withSenior Helpers of Chicago, Illinois (IL). “Experts are predicting a longer, more intense than normal allergy season this Spring – so seniors need to be aware that just because they haven’t had these issues in the past, doesn’t mean they are in the clear just yet. Our caregivers can take certain steps inside a senior’s home to help keep allergic reactions to a minimum, such as bathing them before bed to prevent outdoor pollen from getting on their sheets.” “(more tips below) Allergy Symptoms: Adverse reaction to various substances, including pollen, trees, grass, weeds, dust and molds (mildew). Allergies can lead to respiratory distress that may be life threatening. Those with allergies are likely to develop asthma. .         • Itchy, watery eyes .         • Runny nose .         • Shortness of breath .         • Coughing or wheezing Asthma Symptoms: Most often caused by allergies. Asthma may require hospitalization and can be life threatening. .         •    Coughing .         •    Shortness of breath .         •    Wheezing .         •    Tightness in the chest “Allergies are among the most common, but often overlooked, of diseases in the nation,” says Wishnick. “Other than medication, there are ways our caregivers can help make seniors more comfortable during this allergy season.” * Caregivers Making Seniors Comfortable(source: Mayo Clinic): .         •   If your senior has been outside,caregiverscan help them bathe before going to bed and change into fresh clothing so they don’t bring the pollen that may have clung to their skin, hair or clothes onto their sheets. Caregivers can also be sure to wash their sheets often, to help get rid of the pollen. .         •   Close their windows (and opt for air conditioning) at night if the pollen count is high. .         •   Avoid outdoor activity early in the morning when pollen levels are at their highest.Caregiverscan keep them active inside until the afternoon. .         •   The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air. .         •   Caregiverscan be sure they clean a senior’s home with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter. They can also install a portable HEPA filter in the senior’s bedroom. Sources:Allergy, Asthma, Sinus and Immunology Center, U.S. Census Bureau, CBS News, Mayo Clinic #### Media Contact:Jonathan Wishnick, (312) 867-7110,jwishnick@seniorhelpers.com For more information about Senior Helpers, please visit:http://www.seniorhelpers.com/chicago #### About Senior Helpers: Senior Helpers provides many in-home, care-giving services for the elderly in the Chicago, Illinois area. ...read more

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Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Chicago, Illinois, Shares 5 Warning Signs That Something May Be Amiss With Your Elder Loved One Fresh Air, Fresh Perspective As I’m writing this I have the windows open and a warm breeze blowing in.  It is carrying pollen, of course, so my allergies will soon start acting up.  But there’s also the sound of birds, as well as children playing, floating on the breeze and through the window as well. Spring is definitely coming and I can’t help but smile. My mother always enjoyed spring. “Open all the windows, let the fresh air in,” I remember her saying as I was growing up.  It was when she got older and didn’t care to do that anymore that I started to wonder if something was wrong.  She lived alone. And after the change in her usual routine of opening the windows, I started to pay more attention to what she did and didn’t do. After a few months, as I noticed more and more things being neglected, I realized there was a larger issue that needed to be addressed. Mom couldn’t live alone anymore.  That started me researchingin-home care services for seniorsas well as Meals on Wheels and other services.  The more I talked withsenior care specialists, the more I realized there were other signs confirming my conclusion. .              1.  Dramatic changes in long standing routines- (opening the windows in the spring) .              2.  Forgetfulness and confusion- Seniors can become very skilled at covering up confusion, turning mistakes into a joke or saying what happened is a slight mistake. Watch for trends! .              3.  Neglected home- Do you notice the house getting trashy? Seniors can find everyday household chores overwhelming and especially difficult. .              4.  Personal hygiene- Seniors who used to be well dressed and well groomed suddenly start neglecting things that used to be important because they find it overwhelming. .              5.  Medications- Seniors have difficulty keeping track of medications, either forgetting to take them or overdosing and taking too many, creating an unnecessary risk and a potentially serious health problem. This is just a short list of possible signs that a senior may need help and the signs are not always obvious.  You have to look closely and it may take time.  Be sure to talk with a medical professional and asenior care expertif you spot troubling warning signs. Meanwhile, open the windows and enjoy the spring and know there areprofessionals who can helpyou through a difficult time. About Senior Helpers: Senior Helpers provides many in-home, care-giving services for the elderly in the Chicago, Illinois area. ...read more

We've just published a new edition of our newsletter! You can check it out on our website and get the latest information from Senior Helpers In Home Care of Chicago, IL. Let us know what you think! Read It Now Here ...read more

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Chicago, Illinois, Answers Part of Government’s Plan for War on Alzheimer’s Caring for Seniors with Dementia The federal government recently launched the new National Alzheimer’s Plan to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease by 2025. Part of that plan is to find ways for struggling families to better cope with the disease, today.Senior Helpersand a dementia care expert are helping make the government’s goal a reality with a program they created to help caregivers and families better communicate with those with dementia. The new program is calledSenior Gems. It’s a step-by-step guide that teaches hands-on care providers and families how to care for loved ones through each stage of dementia and Alzheimer’s. There are several traditional scales used to describe the progression of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Teepa Snow, a nationally renowned dementia care expert, has taken the Allen Cognitive Disability Model, which focuses on what those with the disease are able to do, and replaced the numbered levels with “gems.” By using “gems,” Teepa not only reminds us of how precious our clients are, but also makes it easier to understand the progression of this disease. “I’m thrilled with our government’s new commitment to confront Alzheimer’s because it is taking a devastating toll on families across America,” says Teepa Snow. “I certainly hope the researchers, with the new governmental support, will find a cure by 2025. But until and unless that happens, we can’t just wait. Millions of people are living with various forms of dementia, not just Alzheimer’s. We are taking action by trainingSenior Helpers caregiversand family members in communities across the nation, how to better care for and communicate with our loved ones who are doing the best they can while living with a progressive condition that is robbing them of themselves.” Quick Do’s and Don’ts of Working With People Who Have Dementia: • . . . . . .Offer Supportive NOT Confrontational Communication • . . . . . .Emphasize what you want to have happen, NOT who’s the boss or who’s right • . . . . . .Recognize the value of mistakes or ‘UH OHs’ – and turn them into new strategies and ‘AH HAs!’ • . . . . . .Provide short, simple information rather than asking questions you do NOT want to hear the answer to • . . . . . .Offer concrete and clear options or choices rather than wide open requests that require both word-finding and decision-making to answer Learn Do’s and Don’ts of Working With Alzheimer’s Patients: Most seniors with Alzheimer’s can perform a task once they get started, but they may have trouble initiating or switching tasks. Their abilities fluctuate from day to day, day to night, person to person, and minute to minute. This makes it hard to exactly predict what they will or will not be able to do.It means we, as caregivers, need to be flexible and supportive rather than pointing out the errors and getting frustrated with the changing abilities. Memory Failure                                                                       • . . . . . .If an Alzheimer’s patient forgets about a doctor’s appointment:Don’tsay“How could you forget? I told you three times!”This is frustrating for the senior to hear and puts them on the defensive. Remember, caregiving is not about being right.Dosay“I am sorry we didn’t get things worked out ahead of time for that appointment… (pause).. I thought I had said something about it, but I may not have. I will have to try to do a better job of making sure that happens, next time.”This helps break the communication barrier and helps the senior feel that you are on his/her side. • . . . . . .Alzheimer’s patientscan’t remember new informationbutold memories are still intact. This is brain failure.Don’ttell your mother with Alzheimer’s to meet you at Macy’s at the mall if it has moved to a new location. She will go to where Macy’s used to be – to what is now JC Penny’s – because she can’t remember the new information that Macy’s has moved. She may even drive around for hours trying to find Macy’s in the old location.Dotake your mother to the mall or hire a caregiver to take her. If you bring her there, she can’t get lost. Show and Tell When you’recaring for a senior with dementia, it’s important toshowthem how to perform everyday tasksinstead of telling themhow to do something. It’s called show-and-tell.Don’tpull your dad with Alzheimer’s out of his seat and start leading him to the restroom. To him, that’s forceful.Do, instead, show him with your hands and verbally tell him to stand up. Then, place his hand in yours and walk along side of him (not in front of him). This shows him that you’re guiding him with acceptance, and not forcing him to do something.Don’tput a glass of juice in front of your dad’s mouth because he’ll become defensive, thinking you’re trying to force juice down his mouth.Dotake that glass of juice, while at his side (not in front of him), and with your hand in his, bring it to his mouth. He will more likely welcome that gesture and not think you’re “coming at him.” “In any situation, it’s best to use empathy and validation rather than a reality check or lies. And it’s vital that we act now because our families are suffering,” says Snow. “They don’t understand the disease – and there’s no one to teach them. That’s why we started this program; to give families answers and show them, in practical terms, how to improve the quality of life for Alzheimer’s patients and themselves, through better communication.” Did you know? • . . . . . .More than five million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease and there is no cure. Andthe number is expected to grow to 13 million in the next 15 years. • . . . . . .Alzheimer’s is the most feared condition for elders. It replaced cancer in the last survey. • . . . . . .The annual cost of caring for one individual with Alzheimer’s disease ranges from nearly $18,500 to more than $65,000, depending on the stage of the disease and the setting. • . . . . . .It’s a progressive brain disorder that’s the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. • . . . . . .The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years, beginning at age 65. About Senior Gems:Senior Gems is a revolutionary program to help family members and professional caregivers properly care for their aging loved ones through each stage of dementia. Teepa Snow began developing her Gem Levels in 2006. In 2011, the Senior Gem program was created with her guidance and assistance. This program puts Senior Helpers at the forefront of individual andin-home dementia-specialized caregivingas they offer all of their in-home companions and caregivers the opportunity to become dementia care certified through the training program. About Senior Helpers: Senior Helpers provides many in-home, care-giving services for the elderly in the Chicago, Illinois area. ...read more

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Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Chicago, Illinois, Shares Tips for Osteoporosis Prevention Talk With Your Doctor About Bone Density Testing Osteoporosis is a silent, progressive disease that causes bones to become thin and brittle, making them more likely to break. Ironically, bones naturally become thinner as you age and as old bone dissolves and is absorbed into the body faster than new bone is made. As this happens, the bones lose minerals (such as calcium), heaviness (mass) and structure, which makes them weaker. Osteoporosis speeds up this degenerative process making it more severe. More than 28 million people in the U.S. are at risk of developing osteoporosis and up to 1.5 million fractures per year are attributable to osteoporosis. While there is no cure, the good news is this disease is largely preventable. Here are four key steps: 1. Get your daily-recommended amounts of calcium and Vitamin D. 2. Engage in regular weight-bearing exercise. 3. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol. 4. Talk to your doctor about bone health. The most important item is to talk with your doctor to see if a bone density test is needed and whether calcium supplements should be taken along with a regular multivitamin. Also, the advice parents always give their children is appropriate for seniors as well: Drink Your Milk! Senior Helpers is in no way dispensing medical advice.  The tips provided here are general knowledge sourced from WebMD.  Senior Helpers is not attempting to diagnose, cure, or prevent osteoporosis with this post. About Senior Helpers: Senior Helpersprovides many in-home,care-giving servicesfor the elderly in the Chicago, Illinois area.  ...read more

We've just published a new edition of our newsletter! You can check it out on our website and get the latest information from Senior Helpers In Home Care of Chicago, IL. Let us know what you think! Read It Now Here ...read more

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Chicago, Illinois, Highlights Top 10 Tax Write-Offs That Caregivers Might Be Missing Posted onbyseniorhomecarechicago Senior Helpers offers tips to help caregivers get the most from Uncle Sam Chicago, Illinois – (March 2012)– The economy may be slowly recovering, but it has forced caregivers into a new type of economic crisis: paying their own bills in addition to covering the costs of caring for an elderly loved one.More than 65 million people are family caregivers in the United States, spending an average of 20 hours/week caring for loved ones**.And in many cases, that requires caregivers spending their time as well as their own money. This tax season, Jonathan Wishnick withSenior Helpers of Chicago, Illinois (IL), wants to be sure that families don’t miss out on valuable deductions that could help make their lives a little easier this year. “One fifth of the families in this country are shouldering the cost in time and expense of caring for elderly loved one,” says Wishnick. “It’s important for families to know there is help out there, such asSenior Helpers, to share the burden. But caregiving can be expensive and we want to make sure families know about key tax deductions they qualify for to help with the costs.” Wishnick adds, even something as simple as taking Mom or Dad to the doctor can be a tax deduction. Top 10 Tax Deductions Caregivers Most Often Overlook*: Please note, it’s important to check specific guidelines for qualifying expenses when filing your tax return (http://www.irs.gov). For example, medical and dental costs must total more than 7.5 percent adjusted gross income to be deducted. ………….1.Medical Expenses– nearly 100 medical individual medical expenses can be deducted, including hearing aids and prescription medicines ………….2.Long-term health care costs– people often overlook that you can write-off long-term care services and long-term care insurance (depending on age) ………….3.Mileage– including doctor appointments and out of town visits to a specialist ………….4.Dental expenses– including dentures and artificial teeth ………….5.Home improvements for aging adults– installing wheelchair ramps, hand rails and grab bars in bathrooms are good examples of deductions. It doesn’t matter if these improvements are in the senior’s home or the adult child’s home – as long as the improvements don’t add value to the home, you can write them off. ………….6.Energy saving home improvements– High efficiency furnaces, insulation, windows and even weather stripping are included. For more specifics, visit www.energystar.gov. ………….7.Mortgage interest– whether it’s adult children or the senior’s home loans, construction loans or home equity lines of credit… they can all be deductions. ………….8.State and local sales tax– a good idea for those who live in states that don’t have income tax. If you do, you’ll need to decide whether to deduct state and local sales taxes, or state and local income taxes. ………….9.Estate tax on an inherited IRA- If you inherited an IRA from your parents, you could take a deduction for federal estate taxes paid on IRA income. ……….10.Charitable contributions– you can deduct not only the value of items you donated to charity, but also out-of-pocket costs related to volunteering. Cost of Caregiving Statistics: •. . . . . .7 out of 10 caregivers are caring for loved ones over 50 years old. Source:AARP and National Alliance for Caregiving, 2009 •. . . . . .47% of working caregivers report that an increase in caregiving expenseshas caused them touse ALL or MOST of their savings.Source: survey by National Family Caregivers Association, 2009 •. . . . . .More than a third of caregivers have been forced to quit jobs, take early retirement, reduce hours or take a leave of absence tocare for an elderly loved one.Source: survey by caring.com •. . . . . .The average family caregiver for someone 50 years or olderspends more than $5,000/year on out-of-pocket caregiving expenses.Source: AARP, 2008 Sources: *Agingcare.com, **National Family Caregivers Association #### Media Contact:Jonathan Wishnick, (312) 867-7110,jwishnick@seniorhelpers.com For more information about Senior Helpers, please visit:http://www.seniorhelpers.com/chicago ...read more

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Chicago, Illinois, Talks About Heart Concerns&When to Call Your Doctor Know Your Risk Factors and Work with Your Doctor Is it just a little heartburn or something more serious? There are symptoms that you just don’t want to ignore. The quicker you receive treatment, the better the outcome. Call the doctor or seek immediate medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms. It is a risk if you have extreme fatigue or decreased ability to complete daily activities. If you become too tired to do things, like make yourself breakfast, struggle to take a shower or even take the garbage out, these are signs of significant fatigue. A new irregular heartbeat or fast heart rates are also reasons to call your doctor. You may feel your heart racing or skip a beat. This can happen when you are doing your regular daily activities. Chest pain that radiates down the arm seems to be the one sign that everyone recognizes as the hallmark symptom of having a heart attack. Note that symptoms of a heart attack may differ in men and women. In women, it may look more like tightness or pain in the neck and jaw. Some may dismiss the chest pain as anxiety or heartburn, but it’s better to get checked and treated than to let a heart condition go unnoticed. Dizziness, confusion and restlessness are also signs of heart related problems. Decreased urination is one sign that many people don’t relate to a heart condition, but is just as important to get checked. We all have a rough night of sleep every now and again, but when you have a consistent change in sleep patterns or feel like you could sleep all day, it is also time to call your doctor. Nausea, decreased appetite or a bloating sensation are other symptoms to mention to your doctor.  By now, you might be thinking that all of these symptoms can easily be associated with any other illnesses. This is true, but many medical conditions overlap in symptoms, but nonetheless, they still need a work up by your doctor. Working with your doctor and knowing your risk factors are the best ways to prevent a heart condition from occurring or treat what is already going on. There is a temptation to self-diagnose with all of the online information out there, but nothing takes the place of your medical provider. It can make the difference in saving your life. Be an educated consumer and ask all of the questions you need to, but don’t let your computer make the entire decision. It’s time to call 911 if you experience shortness of breath that cannot be relieved by a period of rest; any sudden onset of weakness or paralysis and fainting with a loss of consciousness. Others signs include, a severe headache; a heart rate more than 150 beats per minute; a new chest pain or discomfort that is severe and accompanied by shortness of breath; sweating and nausea or weakness. There may be atypical symptoms as well, so again, I cannot stress the importance of calling your doctor before you have to worry about any of these symptoms happening to you. Have a healthy Heart Month and beyond! About Senior Helpers: Senior Helpers provides many in-home, care-giving services for the elderly in the Chicago, Illinois area. ...read more

We've just published a new edition of our newsletter! You can check it out on our website and get the latest information from Senior Helpers In Home Care of Chicago, IL. Let us know what you think! Read It Now Here ...read more

Senior Helpers In Home Care of Chicago, Illinois, Promotes Importance of Active Lifestyle for American Heart Month Statistics show significantly reduced risks for heart disease in seniors that get up and get moving Chicago, Illinois (February 2012)– It’s a fact – heart disease is the single biggest healthrisk for seniors across the United States. It is the leading annual cause of death and hospitalizations among all older Americans, but one local company is showing Chicago seniors that simple nutrition tips and lifestyle tricks can significantly lower the risk of them becoming another statistic. February is American Heart Month, and as groups around the nation are raising awareness about heart disease,local senior care expertsfrom Senior Helpers are working with the local elderly each day to help fight the battle on the front lines. “Many of the families and seniors we work with locally don’t understand that a proper diet and even the modest of exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attacks among seniors by more than 25 percent,” said Jonathan Wishnick withSenior Helpers of Chicago, Illinois (IL), a local senior care company that providesin-home and companion care services for seniorsthroughout the area. “Getting older doesn’t have to mean getting lazy, so we do everything we possibly can to help our clients continue to live a healthy, happy lifestyle,” Wishnick said. Statistics About Seniors and Heart Disease*: – 5.3 million Americans are living with heart disease and over 600,000 more are diagnosed each year – 1 in 5 seniors (those over the age of 65) develop some sort of heart disease – The number of seniors hospitalized annually for heart failure has increased more than 130 percentsince 1980 – Simple regular light to moderate physical activity (walking, gardening, outdoor chores, etc.) can reduce the risk of heart disease among seniors by 25 to 36 percent. *Source: American Heart Association In addition to physical exercise, a healthy diet and lifestyle can also significantly reduce the risk of suffering heart disease, heart attacks and irregular or rapid heartbeats – all red flags of potential heart failure among the elderly. “The heart is a muscle, and like every other muscle group in the body, you need to exercise it and give it the nutrients it needs to work properly,” Wishnick said. “Especially as you get older.” Nutrition Tips for a Heart-Healthy Senior Diet: – Quitsmoking and minimize alcohol consumption – Avoidfoods with trans-fats (margarine, bakery goods, fast foods) to reduce cholesterol levels – Eatplenty of fish, green vegetables and nuts with omega-3 fatty acids to improve overall heart health – Drinkblack or green tea after meals – antioxidants in these beverages decreases blood vessel constriction and improve overall circulation “Each senior we work with needs differenthelp and assistance to remain independent,” Wishnick said. “Ourcaregiversare all trained and certified, and they know how to safely promote an individual heart-healthy lifestyle among aging loved ones. Whether it’s help in the kitchen preparing meals, assistance moving around the house during the day, or simply a friend to motivate an aging family member to get out for an afternoon walk, we can help.” Media Contact:Jonathan Wishnick, (312) 867-7110,jwishnick@seniorhelpers.com For more information about Senior Helpers, please visit:http://www.seniorhelpers.com/chicago #### About Senior Helpers: Senior Helpers provides many in-home, care-giving services for the elderly in the Chicago, Illinois area. ...read more

We've just published a new edition of our newsletter! You can check it out on our website and get the latest information from Senior Helpers In Home Care of Chicago, IL. Let us know what you think! Read It Now Here ...read more

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Chicago, Illinois, Suggests Basic Computer Lessons For Seniors For those who have very limited to no knowledge about the computer, a family member,friend or caregiver may be needed to teach them.   It takes time and patience to help an aging loved one learn computer skills, but it is also one way of showing that we value and care for them. Society now realizes the benefits of the Internet and many communities have begun to offer computer-related activities for senior citizens. There are various free and paid trainings that are available in group and/or individual settings for those ages 50+. A computer savvy acquaintance may be able to help a senior search for such classes. For those friends and family members who are going to be the teacher, there are some key things to consider. Make sure that the chair that the senior will be using to sit at the computer is comfortable and ergonomically suitable.  Also, because a simple computer lesson can seem quite overwhelming, make sure that the time of the lesson is not too long.  A thirty minute training is advisable to start until the senior becomes more comfortable and shows signs of being able to go for longer periods of time. The most common uses of the Internet for seniors are instant Messenger Services and Social Networking sites. Instant Messengers :Skype and AOL Instant Messenger are the two most popular, free service, chat providers that seniors may want to try. Skype offers video conferencing, which can be a most satisfying experience when a senior is able to see and talk live with their loved ones who are away from home. Facebook is the most popular social networking site that brings family and friends together; enabling friends and family to share photos, chat online, play games, search old friends and more. What an exciting experience it can be for a senior to reconnect with old friends with whom they have lost contact throughout the years. Other Basic Lessons May Cover the Following: •. . . . . .Parts of the computer •. . . . . .Getting started turning on and off the computer •. . . . . .Basic windows navigation •. . . . . .Basic typing lesson •. . . . . .Using word processing software •. . . . . .How to browse the Internet •. . . . . .Accessing and composing an e-mail Contact Senior Helpers to find out if our Caregivers can help your aging loved one with their computing needs. About Senior Helpers Senior Helpers provides many in-home, care-giving services for the elderly in the Chicago, Illinois area. ...read more