Often, regular sadness is misunderstood as depression. But the fact is, sadness caused by the loss of a loved one, financial crisis, emotional fragility, major negative life change, chronic disease is common. Using alcohol excessively, drugs and certain medications can cause depression. There are certain examples, however, without any known reason, where depression develops as well. In the case of clinical depression, people can not normally just “get over” it. Biologically, clinical depression is an illness of the brain where a chemical imbalance occurs that affects thought processes, emotions, and behavior.  Elder care providers can step in to watch over your loved one and take note of their behavior.

Although depression can affect anyone of any age, seniors are often not correctly diagnosed or recognized as clinically depressed, because most of the time, depression in elderly people gets mistaken as a sign of aging. It is also common for seniors to not report what they are feeling, even or especially if they are depressed. Depression, if not treated, can continue for weeks, months or even years. Untreated depression is the major cause of suicide in seniors. Elder care at home for seniors may be a relief for a senior suffering from depression.   

Signs of Depression 

There are many signs which can identify depression in your loved ones. However, there are some grey areas that also exist where sadness and other factors are involved. Some examples of depression indicators include: 

• Not getting dressed properly 
• Not answering the phone or a knock on the door 
• Expressing feelings of sadness or worthlessness 
• Low self-esteem 
• Sleeping too little or too much 
• Difficulty concentrating  
• Seeming confused all the time 
• Lack of energy for any work 
• Eating too much or too little or even refusing food 
• Heavy mood swings and being grumpy  
• Wanting to be alone 
• Having suicidal thoughts 

Why Depression is Often Overlooked In Seniors 

Unfortunately, most depressed older patients fail to identify the symptoms of their depression and do not want to seek medical help. Some of these reasons may include: 

• Thinking that depression is a part of aging or that there is another reason for feeling down for an extended period. 
• Believing that their weak physical states are the root cause of sadness and not realizing the mental causes of clinical depression. 
• In old age, it is very common for people to hesitate to ask for help or even talk and discuss their problems. This also may lead to missing the signs of clinical depression. 

Conclusion: Does Depression Affect Seniors? 

As with any other medical condition, depression also needs the same care and attention. There are several treatment options available for depression, such as medication and counseling. It is a very treatable disorder.  

One of the most effective ways to fight depression in seniors is to have a companion that can help your senior with their everyday tasks. Elder care at home will ensure the safety and everyday convenience for your loved one. Call us today and see if elder care at home is a good fit for you and your family! 

Sources: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/depression-and-older-adults 
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/depression-in-older-adults 
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/depression/index.html 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care Services in Skokie IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

Professional CEU Event on Dementia



Dementia is a devastating condition affecting an estimated 5.8 million older adults in the United States. It is essential that people are aware of the planning necessary to ensure they receive the kind of care they want and deserve in advance of dementia diagnosis.

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Amy will review the options available to those planning for a dementia diagnosis and demonstrate two new online tools to help document care preferences. This interactive session will leave participants with concrete steps they can take to support their families and the individuals they serve.
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Join us for this very interesting discussion.
https://app.glueup.com/event/43438/register/


Click HERE to Download the Flier


​If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care Services in Deerfield IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

Thousands of elderly people have a stroke each year. As a family caregiver, this may be something that you worried about all the time with your elderly loved one. Did they have a stroke? If so, there are some obstacles they are likely going to face. Learning about these obstacles now can help you and their senior home care providers to better prepare for them.  

Physical Obstacles 

There are going to be some physical obstacles that your elderly loved one is going to face. The difficulties your elderly loved one has will vary depending on the severity of the stroke. However, some of the physical obstacles you and your elderly loved one should be prepared for include: 

• Not being able to walk well or at all 
• Limb weakness 
• Higher risk of falls 
• Trouble swallowing food 
• Chronic pain 
• Headaches and migraines 
• Fatigue 

Watching your elderly loved one deal with these challenges can be tough. They may need a lot more care due to these obstacles, as well. If this is the case, hiring senior home care providers may be the best option. The senior  home care providers can help your elderly loved one to manage these issues and to help with activities they can no longer do.  

Communication Obstacles 

People who have a stroke often suffer from communication issues. The severity of these issues can vary a lot, just like the physical challenges. Some of the communication obstacles that your elderly loved one may be faced with include: 

• Slurred speech which makes it difficult to understand them  
• Difficulties interacting socially due to communication issues 
• Easily distracted, so they don’t pay close attention to others when they are speaking 
• Can’t always stay on topic during conversations 

These are some of the different obstacles that may arise when your elderly loved one is trying to communicate with someone after a stroke. It is important to try being patient with your elderly loved one. Hopefully, with some time, they can improve at least some of their communications. 

Emotional Obstacles 

Having a stroke can be a very emotional experience. Sure, there are the physical and communication challenges that occur after a stroke. However, your elderly loved one could also experience the following:

• PTSD 
• Depression 
• Anxiety 
• Stress 
• Severe mood swings 

Need for Extra Help from Senior Home Care Services

The emotional aftermath of a stroke can take a huge toll on your elderly loved one. They may need you or a senior home care provider to be around all the time. Having company and companionship might help your elderly loved one to handle these emotional issues much better. 

These are some obstacles that your elderly loved one might face if they had a stroke. Now that you know about these issues, you can better prepare yourself for what is likely to occur.  

Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_stroke.htm 
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Post-Stroke-Rehabilitation-Fact-Sheet 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care Services in Glenview IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

​It’s scary to think about the possibility that your senior could be developing dementia. It’s even more frightening if there’s a family history or your senior has other risk factors. But it’s vital that you and your elderly family member and their home care assistance provider tackle the situation with facts instead of worries.  

Your Senior Is Having Trouble Communicating 

Communication issues can be frustrating for your senior and for other people, but on their own they might not be dementia related. That’s especially true if the trouble your senior is having is temporary and occasional. If she’s frequently having trouble coming up with the right words or following conversations, that might be reason for bigger concern. 

Or Trouble with Simple Decisions 

Adults make thousands of decisions every single day, your senior included. But if your elderly family member seems to be having trouble with simple everyday decisions that were never a problem before, it’s important to pay attention. For instance, she may wear clothes that are inappropriate for the weather, like a sweater on a blistering hot day. Or she may make decisions that are questionable in other ways, like in terms of her safety. 

And Routine Tasks May Be Difficult 

Tasks that your senior has done every day for years, like making her favorite coffee, are things that she may never worry will become difficult. And then maybe one day she doesn’t remember what happens next in the process. That can be disconcerting for her and it can also be a sign that there’s more going on that she needs to address. It might help to have elder care providers taking over some of those tasks for her. 

Talk to Your Senior’s Doctor 

If you or your senior are noticing these issues, talk to her doctor. Sometimes these symptoms have another explanation, such as side effects from medications. But it could be that your elderly family member is dealing with the beginning stages of dementia. It’s important to know what she’s up against so that she can get the help that she needs. It might also be time to look into options such as home care assistance so that your elderly family member has help at home. 

Have Home Care Assistance to Lean on

It's never easy to face up to the possibility of a serious condition like dementia. But having a plan and having home care assistance services to lean on can make this process a lot easier for your senior and for you. 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home Care Services in Chicago IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

If your elderly family member has found that it’s difficult to eat, a soft food diet may be something to consider. It’s a lot easier to make dietary changes for your elderly family member when she’s got help, so companion care at home may be something to consider as well. 

Here are Some Options to Try

Soups 

Soups are usually a good choice if chewing or eating hard foods is difficult. There are so many different options for nutritious and filling soups that can make meals much easier for your senior. You can even puree the soup to make it a little thicker if necessary. 

Pureed Fruits 

Some fruits, like berries, can get soft and easier to eat on their own. But others might need a little help from a blender or a food processor in order to make eating them easier. Foods like applesauce and pureed bananas can be flavored with other ingredients and offer lots of nutrition. 

Eggs 

Eggs are really easy to incorporate into a soft food diet for your senior. Scrambled, poached, or even soft-boiled eggs are all easy to eat and they’re full of nutritive value. There are lots of recipes out there to make eggs much more interesting if your senior finds eggs to be boring on their own. 

Fish 

Meat and chicken can still be tough to eat, even when it’s cooked to be as tender as possible. But fish is almost always easy to eat, particularly when broiled, baked, or steamed. Fish gets very soft when it’s cooked to perfection, and it’s high in omega-3 fatty acids that are wonderful for brain and body health. 

Smoothies 

You can put almost anything in a smoothie, from fruits to vegetables. It’s also easy to include other high-nutrient ingredients, like flax seeds, that grind up into the smoothie. Experiment to find ingredients and add-ins that your senior enjoys. 

Oatmeal 

Oatmeal is a fast and nutritious choice, too. You can also add plenty of different ingredients to oatmeal to make it more appealing while also leaving it easy to eat. Herbs and spices like cinnamon along with pureed fruit can give your elderly family member so many different choices for her oatmeal. 

Bring in Companion Care at Home Services

When your elderly family member needs a softer diet, it can be tougher for her to keep up with that. Bringing in companion care at home helps to ensure that your elderly family member isn’t alone and that she’s got help with those kinds of tasks. Companion care at home providers can help her to have foods that she loves and that she’s able to eat easily. 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home Services in Evanston IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

Seniors who are aging in place need to have their physical needs met but they also need to have a sense of purpose and a reason to get up each day. Combining crafts and a purpose help seniors stay busy, maintain brain health, and do some good in the world. Doing crafts can be a fantastic way for seniors to keep their dexterity and strength in their hands while also giving themselves a brain work out as they solve problems and use creativity to make things.  If your senior has help from 24-hour home care  they can assist your senior through the process.

There are many organizations that collect handmade items like socks, hats, scarves, gloves, blankets, and other items. They then distribute these items to people and charities that need them. By doing crafts that will be donated seniors are able to get the many physical and mental health benefits associated with both crafting and volunteer work. 

Some of many things that seniors can make to donate are: 

Cage Blankets For Shelter Pets 

There are many organizations that collect and donate handmade blankets that are sized for pet shelter cages. Dogs and cats who are shelters all over the country are given a little comfort and joy by having soft handmade blankets to sleep on instead of paper or a scratchy towel. Blankets can be made from fleece or they can be knitted or crocheted. Some shelters and rescues let the pet take the blanket when they are adopted so they go to their new home with their own special donated blanket. Foster pet parents who take care for orphaned kittens and puppies often rely on handmade blankets to keep the babies warm.  

Quilts For Sick Children 

There are also organizations that give away handmade quilts and blankets to children who are very sick and need to be hospitalized. The blankets provide comfort and warmth to children who need both because they often scared and disoriented in the hospital. A handmade quilt or a crocheted blanket is often very soothing for children going through a tough ordeal.  

Hats, Gloves, and Scarves For The Homeless 

Warm hats, gloves, and scarves for people who are living on the street or in shelters are always in high demand. If your senior loved one likes to knit or crochet there are plenty of organizations that would love to have them to donate some handmade scarves, hats, and gloves.  

Face Masks 

Face masks are something that everyone needs know and often people can’t afford cloth masks. Making face masks that will be donated to other seniors, children, and those at high risk of becoming ill if they don’t have a mask is a very worthwhile way for your senior loved one to spend their time.  

How 24-Hour Home Care Can Assist

Getting supplies can be a problem sometimes but 24-hour home care providers who look after your senior loved one can help them shop for supplies or order them online. And 24-hour home care providers can also help ship the items that your senior loved one makes to an organization that can use them.

If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-Home Care Services in Northbrook IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
​
CONTACT:
August 4, 2021 Melaney.arnold@illinois.gov
​
With Cases on the Rise, Illinois Launches Site to
Share Vaccination Data in Long-Term Care Facilities

SPRINGFIELD – To help ensure transparency, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
announced today that COVID-19 vaccination data for both residents and staff in long-term care
(LTC) facilities is now available on the IDPH website at
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/long-term-care-facility-data. Given that LTC facilities have
experienced a significant portion of COVID-19 deaths, particularly early in pandemic, this
resource will be critical for tracking COVID-19 vaccinations for both staff and residents in
facilities across state.


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“To help keep long-term care residents as safe and healthy as possible, we want to make sure residents and their loved ones know the vaccination rates where they reside so they can make the best decision on where to live, and also advocate for increased vaccination rates,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Some of our most vulnerable residents live in long-term care facilities and in order to better protect them, COVID-19 vaccination rates in many facilities, especially among staff, need to increase. The vaccine is the primary way to get to the other side of this pandemic. We need to continue to reduce spread of the virus by wearing a mask and getting as many residents and staff vaccinated as soon as possible.”


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The new site will display an interactive map where the user can choose to view either the
percentage of staff or percentage of residents who have been vaccinated. The site will also show
weekly confirmed cases, total confirmed cases, weekly COVID-19 deaths, total COVID-19
deaths, and vaccination rates.

The data is derived from the Nursing Home COVID-19 Public File, a federal resource that
includes data reported by nursing homes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s
(CDC’s) National Healthcare Safety Network Long Term Care Facility COVID-19 Module:
Surveillance Reporting Pathways and COVID-19 Vaccinations. Nursing homes are required to
report vaccinations of residents and staff to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. More
information about these guidelines can be found in the Vaccination Immunization Requirements
memorandum.

As part of the Pritzker administration’s commitment to protecting LTC facility residents and
staff, IDPH will report the most up to date information that is currently provided. While local
health departments and LTC facilities continue to have the most up-to-date data, the information
on the IDPH site is provisional and will be updated on a weekly basis.

​

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Deerfield IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

Figuring out what to do in certain circumstances can be difficult. Even during the best of times, struggles can cloud our perspective. These struggles can make it difficult to make good choices. If your elderly father needs support or assistance at home, some level of care, the best place to turn is a home care agency. 

However, you may not fully understand the different types of home care that are available. This could make it a little bit difficult to figure out if he needs a home care aide or something more medically oriented, such as a visiting nurse. Also sometimes referred to as a home health care provider, this type of medical professional is going to be able to administer medications, check vital statistics and perhaps relay that information to your father’s doctor for proper monitoring, change wound dressings, and so much more. 

How to determine the needs of the senior. 

If you have been supporting your father as a caregiver for a while, you probably have a pretty good idea of what he needs right now. If he needs help getting out of bed, preparing a meal, keeping his house clean, or maybe even getting to those doctors’ appointments every once in a while when you are not available, this would perfectly describe what a home care aide offers. 

A home care aide is an individual who can support elderly or disabled clients in the comfort of their homes with any number of tasks associated with daily life. This could include helping your father take a shower, go to the bathroom, get dressed, or even prepare a meal. 

If your dad has trouble doing the laundry now, struggles to take out the garbage or bring it back in, can’t seem to get to the mailbox to check for deliveries each day without struggling, then a home care aide would be perfect. 

What if your father needs this and direct medical attention? 

Some home health care providers, or visiting nurses, will assist with some of those basic tasks of everyday life, but if your father needs more significant, regular assistance with daily tasks and medical support, then he very well might need both a home care aide and a visiting nurse. 

Is that possible? 

Yes, absolutely. If you hire a home care agency to provide support for your aging father, that agency may not have visiting nurses on staff, but the home care aide can be hired for the times when he needs assistance with those basic tasks of everyday life. 

Then, you can also reach out to an agency that provides in-home nursing support, such as a visiting nurse or home health care provider, to support him with those direct medical needs. 

Always start with the home care aide. Since your father needs help with these tasks commonly associated with everyday living, that is where you start. Then, you can fill in the gaps as needed with other supportive professionals. 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Highland Park IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

For one reason or another, your dad seems to be giving up on eating well. He's relying more on takeout or fast food. He has frozen pizzas all the time, and you're worried about his health. How do you and his home care aides  get him to follow the guidelines his doctor offered about focusing on fresh produce, whole grains, and calcium-rich dairy? 
 
Talk About Shopping 
 
As you age, it gets harder to read the fine print on food labels. Your dad's doctor asked him to watch his sodium intake. He'll struggle to choose items with no added salt or low enough counts if he can't read a label. It's time to discuss having someone tag along on his grocery shopping trips and read the labels for him. 
 
Your dad should also learn how to stick to his budget while also choosing quality ingredients. Dried beans contain many essential nutrients, and they're affordable. His family caregiver or home care aide can help him make these decisions. 
 
Create Meal Plans in Advance 
 
You ask your dad what he wants to eat all week. He asks for foods that he's not supposed to eat anymore. He wants a sausage pizza, burger and fries, macaroni and cheese, and ramen. 
 
With each of these, he can have them with a few alternations. Instead of a traditional pizza crust, make pizza dough with whole grain flour or make a cauliflower crust. For the burger and fries, make a turkey burger and make baked sweet potato fries. Make ramen from scratch. 
 
If you come up with healthier takes on his favorite meals, he still gets the meals he wants. He's just enjoying a different spin on them. Make up the weekly meal plan and create the shopping list from that plan. It makes it easier to cook the meals when ingredients are available and thawed. 
 
Research Meal Preparation and Home Care Services 
 
Your dad may need someone to cook for him. If he struggles to chop, slice, dice, and mince ingredients due to arthritis pain or medication side effects, it helps to have someone else make his meals and snacks. 
 
Ask him why he's relying on takeout, fast food, and frozen meals. Once you better understand his frustrations with meals, you'll know where he needs help. He wants someone to read the recipe and help him follow the steps. He might need a caregiver to do the prep and let him do the cooking. 
 
Once you have discussed having someone cook your dad's meals and prepare his snacks, come up with a list of questions everyone in the family has. Once you've jotted down those questions or concerns, call our home care agency to ask them. You'll learn more about pricing, services, and more as you talk to the home care specialist. 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Wilmette IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

In June 1982, President Ronald Reagan declared that July would be National Peach Month. Proclamation 4947 celebrated peaches as a vital part of the U.S. food supply and, therefore, economy. Since that year, July has been a month for people to come up with ways to pay tribute to this stone fruit. While peaches are available throughout the year, July is when they're the ripest. It's easy to find large, juicy peaches in stores across the country. When you do purchase a bag of peaches, they become handy, nutritious snacks. Here are some of the best ways that you or their homecare aides can turn peaches into quick snacks that meet your dad's nutritional needs. 
 
What Nutritional Benefits to Peaches Offer? 
 
A medium peach only has around 50 calories, so it's not a high-calorie snack. It has plenty of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, and iron. The number of antioxidants in peaches can help with cell health and immunities. Vitamin C is also helpful in iron absorption and encourages the production of collagen in the skin cells. 
 
Quick and Easy Snacks 
 
By itself, a peach is an easy snack. Wash it and have your dad eat it whole. If your dad needs his fruit pitted, it takes very little time. You can remove the pit and cut the peach into cubes or slices in seconds. 
 
Make a smoothie for your dad. Take a ripe peach and remove the pit. Place that in a blender with a cup of frozen blueberries, a banana, and a cup of unsweetened, plain kefir or almond milk yogurt. Blend that until smooth. 
 
Puree three peaches in a food processor and add ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce. Mix in ¼ cup of almond butter, a mashed banana, and 2 tablespoons of hemp or flax seeds. Once that's thoroughly combined, add 2 cups old-fashioned oats, ½ cup of flaked, unsweetened coconut, ¼ cup of chopped walnuts, 1 ½ teaspoons of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoons of ground cloves. Form into balls and refrigerate overnight. 
 
Could meal preparation services ensure your dad makes healthier choices for his meals and snacks? Has his doctor suggested he needs to improve his diet to prevent a chronic health condition? His diet needs to change if he's been diagnosed with common diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure. 
 
Homecare aides can come to his home and make sure he's buying the right foods and focusing his meals and snacks on whole foods rather than processed ones. Call our homecare agency and schedule caregivers today. 

Sources: https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/speech/proclamation-4947-national-peach-month-1982 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Homecare Services in Arlington Heights IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.