Advanced preparation such as packing an emergency kit and creating a communication plan, is just one  step in being ready for a severe weather emergency. As a family caregiver, it is also important to make sure your senior is properly prepared for what they should do while the emergency is happening in order to stay as safe and healthy as possible. This will not only work to reduce the risk of physical illness and injury, but can help to maintain better mental and emotional well-being throughout the experience as well. 

Use these tips to help your senior through a severe weather emergency:  

Encourage them to stay informed. Using a battery or crank operated radio, your parents should listen to broadcast about the weather emergency so they know how it is progressing, any changes in projections for the severity or time frame of the emergency, and any instructions that may be given such as evacuation orders . 

Stay in communication as much as possible. While it might be difficult to communicate with your parent during a severe weather emergency that causes power outages, ensure your senior has access to a mobile device and emergency battery so that you can keep in touch with each other throughout the event. If your parent does not have access to one of these mobile devices, be sure a nearby friend, family member, or neighbor is a part of your care network and can keep you updated about your parent's condition, and your parent updated about your well-being.  

Avoid use of candles. Many people immediately reach for candles when the power goes out, but these can be very dangerous, especially for elderly adults. Instead, use flashlights or other battery-operated lights.

Be generator-safe. Never bring a generator inside, or run one in a closed space such as a garage or shed. This can be extremely dangerous, and lead to carbon monoxide poisoning or fires. 

Encourage them to use their supplies effectively. Health and safety are vital during emergencies. Unless it is directly instructed by the authorities, your parent should not ration their food or water excessively, particularly their water. They should drink as much as they need to feel comfortable, with the intention of finding further water when necessary. 

Stay inside. Your senior should not go outside during an emergency unless there is a very severe situation such as a fire inside their home. They should not go out if there are fallen power lines, standing water, or other damage after the storm until it is deemed safe. 

Homecare can be one of the best additions to your care approach for your aging parent, both for them, and for you. The offerings of an elderly homecare services provider are completely customizable, which means you can feel confident your parent is getting exactly what they need, when they need it. With these homecare services, your parent can manage their challenges and limitations in ways that are right for them and their needs, while also enjoying more activity, more independence, and greater control over their life. For you as their family caregiver, this can give you a tremendous sense of confidence and peace of mind knowing your parent can have a higher quality of life even if you are not able to be with them as often as you would like.  

Source:  https://www.ready.gov/september

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

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CEU Event - How is Your Aging Loved One Functioning at Home?
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
5:00 Registration/Light Dinner 
5:20 – 5:30 Introductions 
5:30 – 6:30 Presentation

Program will be held at Gentle Home Services, 570 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield IL 
Meet up in the Solarium, take elevator to top floor

Speaker: 
Iris Waichler, MSW, LCSW 
Leading Advocate for Health Awareness & Caregiver Support 
Speaker - Author - Consultant – Counselor

To register, email events@elderwerks.com or 847-462-0885. 1.0 CEU will be awarded to nurses, professional counselors, social workers and nursing home administrators. A $5.00 fee payable to Elderwerks Educational Services, a 501C3 not-for-profit corporation, PO Box 92, Cary, IL 60013, will be collected from all attendees. An invoice will be mailed after registration to those paying by credit card. *No fee for community members and retirees.
Click here for more information.

CEU Event - How Prepared Are You for an Active Intruder?
Thu Oct 4th 4:30pm - 7:30pm
Wellshire Lincolnshire, 170 Jamestown Ln, Lincolnshire, IL 

Freeze, Take Flight, Fight?
Knowing what to do and how to be prepared, may save your life as well as others. This presentation will provide you with how to prevent, prepare, and actions to take when confronted with an active intruder. 
4:30 - 5:00 Registration 
5:00 - 7:00 Presentation 
Appetizers and refreshments will be provided.

Speaker: Tom Smith

Credentials include: retired police commander, retired emergency manager, State Emergency Management Assistance Team lead, Illinois Terrorism Task Force committee member among other leadership roles.
2 hour CEU credit awarded to LNHA, Social Workers and Nurses.
To register, email events@elderwerks.com or 847-462-0885. 
A $10.00 fee payable to Elderwerks Educational Services, a 501C3 not-for-profit corporation, PO Box 92, Cary, IL 60013, is requested from all registrants prior to the day of this event. After registration an invoice will be emailed through SmartPay to those wishing to pay by credit card.
Click here for more information.

CEU Event - CMSA Chicago, Celebrating Our Successes, CM Week Kickoff
Sat Oct 6th 7:30am - 12:30pm
Gentle Home Services, 570 Lake Cook Rd, Deerfield, IL 

Celebrating Our Successes, Case Manager Week Kickoff
Kickoff Case Manager Week with a full morning of education.
7:30 am - 8:00 am Registration and Hot Breakfast Buffet 
8:00 am - 12:30 pm Educational Program

Featuring Presentations:
Integrating Behavioral Health with Primary Care: Patricia Stern, MSW, LCSW, MBA, PMP, CSM
ED CM Works!: Katie Desiato RN CCM
Nurse Licensure Compact: Where Are We?: Jim Puente, NLC Director
Telling Our Stories; How to Communicate CM Success: Dr Colleen Morley DNP RN CMCN, ACM-RN
4.0 RN, SW & CCM Credits Approved
Register no later than September 28, 2018 at 12 noon under Event Registration 
www.cmsa-chicago.org
Members $25/Non-Members $40
Click here for more information.

Community Event - Healthy Wealthy and Wise Conversations
Wed Oct 10th 4:30pm - 6:30pm

Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Conversations
Join us for a lively panel conversation from the Healthy Wealthy and Wise Network as we demystify the aspects of aging for you.
• Who's in charge of your healthcare?
• Who will advocate on your behalf?
• Should I move or can I bring services in to help with an aging spouse or parent?
• What legal documents are important?
• How much money is enough?
• Is relocation the only option? How will I know when it's time?
• What resources are available to help you find the right place for the right care?

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm 
Appetizers and Refreshments
Location: UBS Financial, 5 Revere Drive, Suite 500, Northbrook

Targeted Audience: 
Sandwich generation looking for resources for their parents, older adults seeking answers for their questions and how they can take the next step.
Attendance is FREE but a favor of registration is greatly appreciated. Call Annette Rumas at 847-498-7842 or email her atannette.rumas@ubs.com
Click here for more information.

CEU Event - Care Choice and Dignity
Care Choice and Dignity
Audrey Thompson, Long Term Care Ombudsman from Evanston will speak on “Care, Choice and Dignity: The Ingredients for Residents’ Rights”. Audrey will explain the principles underlying residents’ rights and how long term care residents can be encouraged and supported in exercising their rights and the role of the Long Term Care Ombudsman. 

Thursday, October 25, 2018 
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm 
Appetizers and Refreshments
Location:  Wellshire Morton Grove, 8415 N Waukegan Rd, Morton Grove

1.5 hours of CEU Credit to nurses, social workers, LNHA and professional counselors
Advanced Registration is Required. Please email Events@Elderwerks.com or call 847.462.0885
A $10.00 fee payable to Elderwerks Educational Services, a 501C3 not-for-profit corporation, PO Box 92, Cary, IL 60013, is requested from all registrants prior to the day of this event. After registration an invoice will be emailed through SmartPay to those wishing to pay by credit card.
Click here for more information.

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

​Boundaries are something that let you and other people know that you've reached a limit. These are something most people don't think about, but if you're feeling overwhelmed or taken advantage of by others, chances are good that some of your boundaries are being trampled. Keeping tabs on your own boundaries is healthy and can help you to do even more. 

You Don't Have to Say Yes All the Time 

Lots of caregivers end up in a situation where they feel as if they need to say yes to every situation, no matter what. The problem with that is that you continue to stretch yourself thinner and thinner. Also, the other people in your life start to expect you to always be the one to agree to do things. This can lead to a cycle where you resent all that you're doing, but you're still agreeing to do it. 

It's Not Your Job to Make Everybody Else Comfortable 

Caregivers are often people pleasers. You want to make the people in your life comfortable and happy, which is admirable, but it's dangerous for you. When you're turning yourself inside out trying to make everyone else comfortable, you're not paying attention to your own comfort at all. From there, you're back to resentment and feeling as if you're being taken advantage of on a regular basis. 

Feeling Guilty Is Normal, but Not Necessary 

When you first start to set and enforce your boundaries, you're going to feel guilty and probably unhappy. That's because unlike before, you're no longer making other people comfortable and saying yes. It's easy to say that you shouldn't feel guilty, but you need to actually take the necessary steps to get rid of those feelings of guilt. Learn how to let go of it because it doesn't serve you well. 

Stay up to Date with Your Own Boundaries 

Your boundaries can and will change over time. What's comfortable to you now may not be comfortable later when you're further into your caregiving journey and you've reassessed your boundaries. Do this as often as you need to in order to keep yourself in a position where you're healthy and able to be a strong caregiver for your aging adult. 

When you're paying attention to your boundaries and making sure that you're enforcing them, your entire life is going to go more smoothly. Healthy boundaries make for healthy relationships and they allow you to be a better caregiver. 

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

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Patty Turner Center Annual Healthy Lifestyle Expo
Gentle Home Services is hosting a table at the Patty Turner Center Annual Health Lifestyle Expo on Saturday, September 8th.  
There are a lot of activities and resources available.  Flu Shots, Shredding, Community Safety, Local Legislatures, Health Screenings and Health & Wellness Vendors from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. 
Free Admission and Free Parking.
Click here for more information.


Niles Township Interagency Network Meeting
Gentle Home Services participates in the Niles Township Interagency Network.  If you work or provide services in the Niles Township area, please join us at our next meeting on 
Tue Sep 11th 8:30am - 10:00am
Wellshire Morton Grove, 8415 N Waukegan Rd, Morton Grove, IL 
Topic:
“Helping your clients pay for services: VA Benefits made easy”
Presentation by:
Marty Fogarty, Attorney
Founder Heartland Law Firm 
Founder ElderSmart, a 501 c 3 non profit helping families in a long term healthcare transition
Click here for more information.

Monday at the Movies
Gentle Home Services sponsors Monday at the Movies at the Highland Park Police Station on behalf of the Highland Park Senior Center, 1677 Old Deerfield Rd, Highland Park, IL.
Check out our event page for the upcoming movies for September.  Action starts at 1:30 pm.  
Click here for more information.
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Senior Health and Wellness Fair
Gentle Home Services is hosting a table at the Senior Health and Wellness Fair on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at Caledonia Senior Living and Memory Care, 2800 Desplaines Ave, North Riverside, IL.  
The event kicks off at 10 am and ends at 1 pm.  
Start the fall season off right by making your health a priority. Join us for a free Senior Health and Wellness Fair, featuring screenings, services, information, food, entertainment and raffle prizes!
FREE Community Event.
Click here for more information.

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


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If your elderly parent has recently finished their lung cancer treatment, or is approaching the end of their lung cancer treatment, it is likely you have heard their doctor talk about a survivorship plan. This can be a very important part of their life after treatment, and as a family caregiver, you will play a critical role in helping them to develop it, as well as to carry it through.

Each element of a survivorship plan is designed to maximize the benefits of treatment, improve your parents health, maintain health, and help your parents make the most of their future years.  

As with other elements of your parent's experience with cancer, including their treatment, care, and management efforts, a survivorship plan will be a very personal to them. This survivorship plan is developed specifically to help your parent with their own individual health needs.

These care plans generally feature several elements, which can include: 

* A schedule for follow-up visit  

* A schedule for follow-up exams and tests, including early detection screenings 

* A schedule for follow-up evaluations to determine long-term effects of treatments your parents underwent, or the cancer itself 

* The side affects your senior might experience, and which ones you should look out for  

* Guidelines for how to effectively manage side effects, and when they warrant a visit to the doctor 

* Instructions for good lifestyle choices, such as dietary guidelines, exercise, germ control, and more that will help keep your parent healthier.  

Once your parent has a lung cancer survivorship plan in place, you can use it to create your care approach. Including elderly care in this phase as you did during treatment can continue to help your parent pursue a healthier, more satisfying, and more meaningful quality of life as they age in place.   

In your role as a family caregiver, you will need to use a wide variety of tools and resources to fulfill your parent's needs. One of the most important resources you can use is elderly care. Due to the completely customizable nature of elderly care, you can utilize this resource to fill whatever care gaps might exist in the care routine you already give your parent.

Whether your schedule is busy and you are unable to be with your parents as frequently as he would like to be, you have limitations that keep you from managing certain tasks, or you simply feel your parent would benefit from more diversified care, an elderly home care services provider can step in to manage these needs effectively and efficiently. As a family caregiver, this can give you peace of mind knowing your senior is able to live the highest quality of life both when you are caring for them directly, and when you are not.  

Sources:  https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-small-cell-lung-cancer/after-treatment/survivorship.html 

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-small-cell-lung-cancer/about/key-statistics.html 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care Services in Chicago IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.
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Asthma is a condition that causes the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs to become inflamed. The insides of the tubes become sensitive to irritants, like allergens. Narrowed airways make it hard to breathe and cause coughing, wheezing, and a tight feeling in the chest. Although it’s important for older adults with asthma to follow the doctor’s treatment plan, new research suggests that the way asthmatics eat may affect their symptoms. 

Asthma and Diet Study 

A study conducted in France recently looked at the way people ate and their asthma symptoms. The study involved more than 34,000 participants. Approximately one fourth of the men had at least one symptom of asthma and a little more than a fourth of the women did, too.  

The study showed that men who consumed a healthy diet had a 30 percent less chance of having asthma-related symptoms. Women were 20 percent less likely. The researchers defined a healthy diet as one that included lots of vegetables, fruit, and fiber.  

Dietary Steps to Reduce Asthma Symptoms 

While there isn’t a specific diet for managing asthma, doctors at the Mayo Clinic suggest taking these steps to help: 

Eat for a Healthy Weight: Older adults who are overweight should seek to lose some weight. Excess weight can make asthma symptoms worse. Losing even a few pounds can make a difference. 

Stay Away from Allergy Triggers: People with asthma are more likely to have food allergies. Having an allergic reaction to a food can trigger asthma symptoms. 

Get More Vitamin D: Having severe asthma has been associated with low vitamin D levels. Eating foods that contain vitamin D, like milk, fish, and eggs, can increase levels as can spending some time outside in the sun.  

Eat More Produce: Fruits and vegetables antioxidants and vitamins that may reduce inflammation.  

Avoid Foods with Sulfites: Sulfites are a kind of preservative found in foods like pickles, dried fruits, and wine. They can cause asthma symptoms for some individuals. 

In addition to possibly reducing asthma symptoms, eating a healthy diet can also improve the overall health of older adults. If your aging family member struggles to eat a healthy diet, home care services can help. Home care services providers can assist with planning meals. When it’s time to grocery shop, a home care services provider can drive the senior to the store and shop with them. Home care services providers can also prepare healthy meals and clean up afterward.  

Sources:  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322438.php 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/expert-answers/asthma-diet/faq-20058105 

https://medlineplus.gov/magazine/issues/fall07/articles/fall07pg14.html 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Evanston IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.
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​Clients and Caregivers are invited to the 
Gentle Home Services 
End of Summer BBQ 

​Friday, September 7, 2018 

​11:00am-1:30pm 

​570 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield (North Parking Lot) 

rsvp by 8/31 847-444-1222

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.
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​Eric Johnson, owner of Movement Revolution is an experienced exercise physiologist who has been developing exercise programs for Parkinson's Disease for 10 years. Continued exercise is one of the best ways to manage the disease, increase mobility, and improve quality of life. 

Eric will be discussing the benefits of daily exercise for Parkinson's Disease and demonstrate specific examples of exercises that caregivers can do with their clients empowering them to function better every day. 

2.0 CEU's

August 23, 2018, 5 pm - 7 pm
Gentle Home Services, 570 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield


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

Per the USDA, food-borne illnesses are more common in the summer months. Picnics and outdoor family gatherings are good reasons why it increases. Temperatures are warmer and tend to be ideal for the formation of bacteria. Bacteria that cause food poisoning grow best at temperatures of 90 to 110. In the sun, it's easy to maintain that temperature range.

Food safety is important throughout the year. It's really important to be cautious when packing a picnic or planning an outdoor gathering.

Here are the areas where you need to be extra cautious.

Don't Ignore Food Safety Practices With Salads

Many people don't think of mayonnaise as being an ingredient to keep cold. After all, it's in the normal aisles in a grocery store. Mayonnaise contains eggs. When mixed into something like a potato salad, the ingredients together can grow bacteria and lead to food poisoning. All salads should be kept cold at 40 degrees F or lower.

Ice packs within a cooler will keep salads from warming up. If possible, save up ice packs from meal kit services. Those larger ice packs will last hours, if not days, in a cooler. Your perishable items stay nice and cold for the entire day.

Do Not Cross-Contaminate

You have your burgers on a platter and head outside to the grill. Before the burgers finish cooking, have you washed that platter? If not, you're asking for cross-contamination. The raw meat juices will contaminate the burgers. 

You need to wash any utensils that touch raw meat before you use it on cooked meats. If you're going on a picnic, the raw meats you bring cannot be on top of cooked foods. Bring two coolers. One should have the raw meats. When you're done, use hot, soapy water to wash out the raw meat cooler.

Use an Instant-Read Thermometer

Do not remove meats from the grill until you've checked the internal temperature. Chicken and turkey need to be at 165 degrees F. Hamburgers should be cooked to 160 degrees F. Steaks and pork must be cooked to a minimum of 145 degrees. Use the guide at FoodSafety.gov to ensure you're cooking meats to the right temperature.

If you care for your mom or dad, you may find it hard to focus on food safety when planning an outing. You can't let it lapse. Hire a caregiver to provide senior care services every now and then. You'll get a break and be able to focus on planning the outdoor meal. Call our senior care agency to discuss respite care services.

Sources:https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/80b6374e-f059-40a4-a749-35cf64a83931/Foodborne_Illness_Peaks_in_Summer_Why.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/mintemp.html

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

When an older adult is diagnosed with dementia, family caregivers may jump to make changes before it’s time. This is often the case with driving. It can be your first instinct to take their keys away because you fear they’ll make a dangerous mistake or become lost. However, many people with dementia are able to continue driving safely through the early stages of the disease.  

How to Decide 

The first step to knowing when it’s time for a person with dementia to stop driving is to have their driving skills evaluated. This step should take place as soon as possible after the diagnosis is received. This will give you a baseline to work from and could help with the conversation when it’s time to take the keys away.  

Some State Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) offer evaluations or may be able to direct you to an agency that does. In fact, some states require that a person with dementia visit the DMV for a test. Contact the DMV where the senior lives to learn more about laws in their area. 

If the initial evaluation shows the person can still drive, they’ll need ongoing evaluation and monitoring. Some things that may indicate it’s time to stop driving are: 

• Getting lost easily. 
• Not obeying traffic signs. 
• Being slow to react or making poor decisions. 
• Driving too fast or too slowly. 
• Getting angry or confused during driving. 

Talking to the Dementia Patient About Driving 

When it is time for your aging relative to stop driving, the conversation may not be easy. Be patient with the older adult. Imagine yourself in their position and think about how hard it would be to give up your own driving privileges. The Alzheimer’s Association offers the following tips for starting the conversation: 

• Talk about your own feelings and fears. 
• Stay positive and talk about what’s good about no longer driving, like not needing to pay for car maintenance or deal with bad roads. 
• Discuss responsibility and how their driving might affect others. 
• Enlist the help of the person’s doctor. 
• Suggest they be professionally evaluated again and use the results to discuss the decision. 

Giving up driving doesn’t have to mean that the dementia patient loses their independence. One way to allow them to continue to get out of the house and do the things they enjoy is by hiring a home care provider through an agency. Home care providers can be scheduled to come as often as needed through the week. They can drive the senior to the places they need or want to go, such as the grocery store, restaurants, religious services, or to the houses of friends and family. Home care providers can also drive the older adult to medical appointments and take notes for them so that the information can be passed on to family caregivers. 

Sources:  https://www.caregiver.org/dementia-driving 
https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/safety/dementia-driving 
https://caregiver.com/articles/time-to-stop-driving/ 

​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.