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Fall Prevention Tips and Programs Help Seniors Avoid Falls

Home Helpers Senior Care in Wheaton and Naperville, IL: Fall Prevention Tips For Your Loved Ones

When I wrote about fall prevention last year, I told you about one of our clients who is a sophisticated retired schoolteacher in her mid-80s with serious back problems that resulted from four auto accidents. The woman retired from driving because her daughter was losing sleep at night worrying about her Mom’s safety and the safety of others on the road.

Unfortunately, since last year, she has fallen multiple times which has caused more pain in her back and a new knee.

September is Falls Prevention Month, and September 23-27, 2024, is Falls Prevention Awareness Week, nationwide observances that raise awareness about preventing falls, reducing the risk of falls, and helping older adults live without fears of falling.

Falls among older adults continue to be a national public health concern. Falls put older adults at risk of significant injury or even death.

According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), every 11 seconds, an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a fall-related injury, and one in four Americans aged 65 and older falls every year. Being common does not mean that falling is a normal part of aging. Many of these falls are preventable and everyone needs to be aware of safety precautions to prevent falls among older adults.

The NIA suggests the following fall prevention tips:

  • Stay physically active.
  • Try balance and strength training exercises.
  • Have your eyes and hearing tested.
  • Find out about the side effects of any medicines you take.
  • Get plenty of sleep.
  • Avoid or limit alcohol.
  • Stand up slowly.
  • Fall-proof your home.

Because staying physically active and practicing balance and strength training exercises top the tips list, I found interactive Fall Prevention Programs for seniors at AgeOptions, a social services organization in Oak Park, whose mission is to innovate, partner, and advocate to improve systems and services in order to strengthen communities so people thrive as they age.

“Offered through the Illinois Pathways to Health Initiative, the Fall Prevention Programs help people feel stronger, improve their balance, and reduce their fear of falling. Participants learn to set realistic goals to increase activity, how to build strength, and ways to modify their environment to reduce the risk of falls,” AgeOptions explains.

The following Fall Prevention Programs take place in local communities and online throughout the year:

  • A Matter of Balance – This workshop is designed for older adults to manage falls and increase activity levels. Participants demonstrate improved balance, flexibility, and strength while viewing falls as controllable.
  • Bingocize® – This program is designed for sedentary adults at all ability levels. Bingocize® combines a bingo-like game with exercise and health education and has shown to increase seniors’ functional fitness, health knowledge, and social engagement.
  • Fit and Strong! – This workshop is for sedentary seniors who are experiencing lower extremity joint pain, stiffness, and other mobility issues. The program uses flexibility and strength training, aerobic walking, and health education to promote behavior change in people with osteoarthritis.
  • Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention – This workshop is for older adults with or without arthritis, rheumatic disease, or related musculoskeletal conditions. It works for seniors with mild, moderate, and severe joint involvement and back pain, and those without arthritis who may have a higher risk of falling. Tai Chi is an enjoyable exercise that can improve balance, relieve pain, and improve health and the ability to do things. It is a slow, easy-to-learn exercise that is good for all ability levels. The essential principles of Tai Chi include mind and body integration, fluid movements, controlled breathing, and mental concentration. Tai Chi is one of the most effective exercises for the health of the mind and body. It helps people relax and feel better.
  • Walk with Ease – This program is for seniors with arthritis who want to be more physically active. It is also good for aging adults without arthritis, particularly those with diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions who want to become more active. Demonstrated to reduce pain, increase balance and strength, and improve overall health, the program will help motivate seniors to get in great shape and allow them to walk safely and comfortably.

I strongly encourage seniors to adhere to the NIA fall prevention tips, learn more about the Fall Prevention Programs at AgeOptions, and participate in the in-person sessions or online Zoom workshops.     

A compassionate Home Helpers® caregiver can help with transportation or technology assistance for these programs, and they can provide exceptional support to you or a senior loved one who is at greater risk of falling due to physical or mental health conditions

We Offer Comprehensive Senior Care Services

My senior care team is highly trained and skilled to perform an array of in-home care services, including specialized care for clients with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and 24-hour shift care. For seniors living alone, Home Helpers offers a state-of-the-art 24-monitoring service called Direct Link® so human help is instantly available at the touch of a button.

I am happy to sit down with you or your senior loved one for a FREE senior care Consultation and home safety check to assess specific needs and discuss the many ways Home Helpers® can make life easier and safer every day.

Home Helpers® Wheaton & Naperville is proudly Making Life Easier℠ for veterans, differently-abled, and senior men and women in Aurora, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estate, Roselle, Itasca, Medinah, Naperville, Plainfield, Schaumburg, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield.

Sources:

National Institute on Aging

AgeOptions

Regular Vision Exams for Seniors May Prevent Eye Diseases and Visual Impairment

My youngest son, Nolan, graduated high school this year, and he’s preparing to begin his secondary education at Northern Illinois University School of Music. Watching him graduate was very emotional for me, but I am extremely proud of his accomplishments and success, and I’m cheering on my passionate percussionist in his next chapter!

As Jon and I became “empty nesters,” we decided to take an exciting family vacation to Italy with our three adult children. We visited Venice, Rome, and Vatican City and observed amazing historic architecture, art, and landscapes we will never forget!

Next, Jon, Lauren, Nolan, and I went to Canada to see my mother who was visiting from the Philippines, and we made time to experience the wonders of Niagara Falls.

Finally, Jon and I traveled to Monterey, California for our 24th wedding anniversary, and we loved the beaches at Big Sur and wine tasting in Napa Valley. What an amazing summer it’s been! We all soaked in the beauty of the locations we visited and created wonderful memories.

As I contemplate our travels and everything we saw and experienced, I can’t help but think about our senior clients and the many elderly individuals in our community who have varying levels of vision impairment. I wonder if they reflect on their own memories of vacations and excursions, even though they can’t capture the same visual experiences they once did.

Considering August is National Eye Exam Month, I encourage our senior clients and aging adults in the communities we serve to maintain regular vision exams to prevent eye diseases and visual impairment as part of your home care.

My friends at the Village of Bloomingdale say, “Senior citizens are at greater risk for eye diseases. By age 65, 1 in 3 Americans has some form of vision-impairing eye disease. Most do not know it because there are often no warning symptoms, or they assume that poor sight is a natural part of growing older.”

In as much as many seniors think that poor vision is simply a sign of aging, several conditions cause visual impairment that often have treatment options available. Eye exams can accurately detect signs of disease, and a professional optometrist or ophthalmologist can offer the best solutions to help.

 “Your risk for some eye diseases and conditions increases as you grow older, and some eye changes are more serious. Keep your eyes as healthy as possible by getting regular eye exams so any problems can be spotted early,” according to the National Institute for Health (NIH). They go on to explain these conditions further:

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

“(AMD) can harm the sharp, central vision needed to see objects clearly and to do common things like driving and reading. Your eye care professional will ask about your family history and look for signs of AMD during a dilated eye exam. Treatments are available, and special dietary supplements can help lower your chance of it getting worse,” says the NIH.

Cataracts

 “Cataracts are cloudy areas in the eye’s lens causing blurred or hazy vision. Some cataracts stay small and don’t change your eyesight much. Others become large and reduce vision. Cataract surgery can restore good vision and is a safe and common treatment. If you have a cataract (that impairs your vision), your eye care professional will watch for changes over time to see if you would benefit from surgery.”

Diabetic Retinopathy

“(This) may occur if you have diabetes. It develops slowly, often with no early warning signs. If you have diabetes, be sure to have a dilated eye exam at least once a year. Keeping your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control can prevent diabetic retinopathy or slow its progress in early stages. Laser surgery in later stages can sometimes prevent it from getting worse.”

Glaucoma

“Glaucoma is usually caused by too much fluid pressure inside the eye. If not treated, it can lead to vision loss and blindness. People with glaucoma often have no early symptoms or pain. You can help protect yourself by having dilated eye exams yearly. Glaucoma can be treated with prescription eye drops, lasers, or surgery.”

Maybe eyeglasses will be all that is needed to improve a senior’s vision. Perhaps, cataract surgery will be an option to restore vision and visual health. All I know is that eye exams are necessary to protect seniors, their visual health, and their quality of life for as long as possible.

According to Village of Bloomingdale, “Healthy eating and regular eye exams can reduce the risks of eye diseases. The Lions Clubs International has joined with EyeCare America and Prevent Blindness America to promote the importance of eye exams for seniors. Many seniors may qualify for a free eye exam. For more information, call 866-324-3937 (EYES).”

I am blessed to have seen all that I have in my life, especially with my husband and family, but I am concerned about our Home Helpers® clients and other seniors in our community with visual impairment. I believe we must be advocates for the elderly, provide transportation assistance to eye doctor appointments, and support those with visual challenges in any way we can to protect their independence and quality of life.

If you have a senior loved one whose vision is compromised and they have difficulties with navigating their home, taking care of personal hygiene, safely managing housekeeping tasks, or planning and preparing meals, our compassionate caregivers are highly trained and skilled to deliver exceptional, compassionate, customized care and support to help seniors live their best life.

I gladly offer a FREE Assessment to discuss specific details about the home care services you or your visually impaired senior loved one needs to make life easier 24/7/365.

Home Helpers® Naperville & Wheaton is proudly Making Life Easier℠ for veterans, differently abled, and senior men and women in Aurora, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estate, Roselle, Itasca, Medinah, Naperville, Plainfield, Schaumburg, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield. Our team is honored to have received the Home Care Pulse – Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience, Provider of Choice, and the Employer of Choice Awards 2022, as well as the 2022 Super Star Award from Caring.com. Contact our award-winning team today if we can help make life easier for you or a loved one: 630.800.3837

Sources:

Village of Bloomingdale

National Institute for Health

Loneliness May Negatively Impact Senior Independence

While watching the morning news, I heard about a recent Gallup poll that measured the levels of global loneliness. The survey found that as many as 23% or 1 in 5 respondents reported experiencing feelings of loneliness the day before being polled.

Demographics like age and gender did not make a difference in the percentages. However, some countries, like Kosovo, Poland, Tawain, and others reported much lower percentages of loneliness.

US News & World Report said, “In the Gallup survey published Wednesday (July 10, 2024), 23% of people said they felt lonely “a lot of the previous day.” Those experiencing feelings of loneliness often felt physical pain, worry, sadness, stress, and anger, as well.”

Psychiatrist Dr. Sue Varma told CBS Mornings that beyond its emotional toll, loneliness is “a medical problem” that should be taken “very seriously.”

As a “medical problem” with symptoms like those described above, it is easy to see how loneliness could negatively impact senior independence. That’s where Home Helpers can make a real difference in the lives of seniors living alone in the Bloomingdale area by providing companion care.

Many seniors go through the routines of their daily lives which can stimulate feelings of loneliness, isolation, anxiety, or depression, all of which can manifest in physical illness. Companion care services provide aging adults with the friendly face of a compassionate caregiver for conversation and engagement to help alleviate feelings of loneliness.

However, there is more to companion care than meaningful conversations. In-home companion care services extend beyond daily engagement. Our caregivers help with essential medication and hydration reminders, light housekeeping tasks, and more, for a richer, more fulfilling life.

Some ways a Home Helpers caregiver companion will make life easier, and more fulfilling, include:

  • Talking, listening, and sharing experiences
  • Playing games and cards
  • Reading assistance
  • Working puzzles
  • Accompaniment to and from doctor appointments, errands, social events, etc
  • Sorting and organizing mail, cabinets, and closets
  • Connecting with friends and family through social media, like Facebook, Skype, etc

Home Helpers companion care services can benefit seniors who want to remain socially active and independent for as long as possible. Older adults who would benefit from companion care include:

  • Those who live alone
  • Those living a distance from family and friends
  • Those who have experienced the loss of a spouse or loved one
  • Those with mobility issues that make it difficult to get out of the house
  • Those who need assistance with activities of daily living
  • Those wanting support with exercise and other activities
  • Those with family caregivers who need respite care

This is an abbreviated list, but you get the point.

In addition, companion care services for seniors are not limited to their home but can be delivered at other locations, such as:

  • Retirement communities
  • Skilled nursing facilities
  • Assisted living facilities
  • Independent living facilities
  • Hospitals
  • Rehabilitation centers

I am proud to offer a FREE Assessment for seniors so I can carefully match compassionate caregivers who will make the best possible companions! The talented caregivers I employ are skillfully trained to help aging adults maintain a healthy, active lifestyle, a positive outlook and attitude, and, above all, their senior independence.

Home Helpers® Wheaton & Naperville is proudly Making Life Easier℠ for veterans, differently abled, and senior men and women in Aurora, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estate, Roselle, Itasca, Medinah, Naperville, Plainfield, Schaumburg, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield.

Our team is honored to have received the Home Care Pulse – Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience, Provider of Choice, and the Employer of Choice Awards 2024, as well as the 2024 Caring Super Star Award from Caring.com. Contact our award-winning team today if we can help make life easier for you or a senior you love: 630.800.3837

Sources:

Gallup

US News & World Report

CBS Mornings

Understanding the Basics About Men’s Health in Naperville

As a wife, mother, Doctor of Nursing Practices (DNP), and owner of Home Helpers® Wheaton & Naperville, I am fully committed to my family’s and clients’ health and wellness.

Being a wife and mother of three adult children – a daughter and two sons – I have consistently done my best to provide my family with proper direction concerning their health and wellness, and I have encouraged them to exercise routinely, practice self-care, and regularly visit their primary care providers for check-ups to monitor their physical, mental, and emotional health.

June is Men’s Health Month, and I know how important it is to keep my husband, my boys, and the male clients at Home Helpers on the right track by giving them the resources they need to make informed decisions about their health.

The Men’s Health Network says on average, women live five years longer than men. What’s more, “In Illinois, among women married to men the same age as themselves, over 16% will be widows as they enter retirement (ages 65-69).”

I don’t know about you, but I find these statistics troubling. As a devoted wife and proud boy-mom, I want to make sure that all the men in my life – personally and professionally – stay foresighted and proactive about maintaining their physical, mental, and emotional health.

Men’s Health Chicago, with locations in Naperville and Schaumburg, shared basic information about men’s health that I found palatable and relatable, so we all understand more.

Common Issues Affecting Men’s Health

“When it comes to the top 15 leading causes of death, men outpace women in all of them except Alzheimer’s disease, making consistent and regular monitoring of your health vital,” says Men’s Health Chicago.

The common issues that men should have checked regularly include:

  • Cardiovascular disease (Cardiovascular conditions such as atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries is common)
  • Prostate cancer (1 in 6 men develop prostate cancer of some kind, which, when detected early, is highly treatable)
  • Diabetes (Type 2 diabetes due to weight issues is a common problem among men)
  • Erectile dysfunction (ED) (Erectile problems are common and sometimes require medical intervention. ED can also signal heart disease).
  • Depression (“Men often internalize and ignore symptoms of depression without seeking treatment. Sometimes depressed mood is transient and will go away by itself, but many times there is an underlying hormonal issue that requires treatment. A trained medical professional can help you determine whether or not treatment or medication is necessary. Each individual is unique and there is NO one-size-fits-all treatment…which is why it is so important to be monitored and have individualized care.”)

Men’s Wellness Exams

“The first order of business with any exam, whether you’re male or female, is to track your vitals and measurements.” These include:

  • Height
  • Weight
  • Heart rate
  • Blood pressure
  • Medical history

If there are any indications of potential health issues, lab work, tests, and screenings may be ordered by your doctor to ensure early detection and treatment for more successful outcomes.

Preventive Care Practices for Men

“The doctors at Men’s Health Chicago believe that good overall health is achieved through preventive care.” Preventive care includes:

  • Lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking and drinking
  • Weight loss
  • Exercise
  • Nutrition

“While health issues still arise, practicing solid preventive care goes a long way toward maintaining your optimal health and avoiding potentially devastating problems down the road.”

I gladly offer FREE Assessments for senior men (and women), and carefully match compassionate caregivers who can make life easier by providing transportation assistance to/from doctor appointments and diagnostic tests, as well as in-home care services that are tailored to help seniors maintain a healthy lifestyle and remain independent at home for as long as possible.

Home Helpers® Wheaton & Naperville is proudly Making Life Easier℠ for veterans, differently abled, and senior men and women in Aurora, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estate, Roselle, Itasca, Medinah, Naperville, Plainfield, Schaumburg, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield.

Our team is honored to have received the Home Care Pulse – Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience, Provider of Choice, and the Employer of Choice Awards 2024, as well as the 2024 Caring Super Star Award from Caring.com. Contact our award-winning team today if we can help make life easier for you or a senior you love: 630.800.3837

Sources:

Men’s Health Network

Men’s Health Chicago

Companion Home Care

Companion Home Care in Plainfield, IL

Companion Home Care Services in Plainfield, IL

Staying active and socially engaged is critical for seniors’ health
and well-being. And as much as we love spending time with our loved ones,
most of us can’t be there as much as we’d like to provide
that needed companionship.

Home Helpers offers companion care services in Plainfield,
IL that can extend well beyond the day-to-day medical and essential
housekeeping tasks: we offer in-home care to help fill in the gaps for
a richer, more fulfilling life for your loved one, including:

  • Talking, listening, and sharing experiences
  • Playing games and cards
  • Reading assistance
  • Doing puzzles
  • Escorting to and from check-ups, errands, social events, etc.
  • Sorting and organizing mail
  • Connecting with friends and family through social media (Skype, Facebook, etc.)

If you need companion home care for a loved one in Plainfield,
IL,please call us at(630) 866-8462 and
schedule your free in-home care assessment.

Homemaker Services

Homemaker Services in Barlett, IL

Everyone enjoys a clean home, but for the elderly or disabled, even simple
housekeeping tasks can become unmanageable. An untidy home can contribute
to feelings of depression, isolation, and hopelessness – it can
even be dangerous, increasing the risk of injury or illness. And it may
also be the first sign your loved one in Barlett, IL,
is struggling and needs extra help at home.

Home Helpers offers homemaker services in Barlett, IL,
that helps create a safe, clean, and comfortable living environment so
your loved one can stay at home, living independently with a greater sense
of confidence and security – and with greater peace of mind for you.

  • Services We Offer Include:
  • Laundry and changing bed linens
  • Ironing
  • Grocery shopping
  • Meal preparation
  • Cleaning and organizing bathrooms
  • Vacuuming and sweeping
  • Pet care and plant care assistance
  • Replacing air filters
  • Replacing batteries in smoke detectors and other household safety features
  • Kitchen cleaning and organization (including checking expiration dates)
  • Eliminating tripping hazards and safe-proofing the home

Let Home Helpers’ homemaker and housekeeping services help make a
difference in the confidence, safety, and security of your family member
as they continue to live independently in Barlett with
the support they need.

Please call us at
(630) 407-1890 and
schedule your free in-home care assessment.

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