When an older adult is diagnosed with diabetes, you may immediately start thinking about ways to reduce the amount of sugar they eat. One way to do that is with sugar substitutes. The problem is that there are so many different kinds of artificial sweeteners that you may be uncertain which one to buy. The truth is that you may need to get more than one kind of artificial sweetener depending on just how you plan to use it.  

Kinds of Sugar Substitutes 

How you are going to use the sugar substitute is important because some artificial sweeteners don’t work well in baking. It’s also important to know that sugar substitutes cause differences in baked goods, such as: 

* Lighter finished color. 
* Lower volume in quick breads, cakes, and muffins. 
* Different texture. 
* Slightly different taste. 
* Altered cooking time. 

With that in mind, there are several kinds of sugar substitutes to choose from. Some of them are: 

Saccharin: Saccharin is sold under the brand names Sweet n’ Low and Sugar Twin. It’s available in small packets that can be added to hot and cold drinks. It can also be used to sweeten either hot or cold foods. 

Stevia: Stevia is often called a “natural” sweetener. While it comes from a natural source, the stevia plant, it is actually highly-processed since it goes through a complicated purification process. It can be used in hot foods because it does stay stable when it is heated. 

Aspartame: Aspartame, which you may be familiar with as Equal or Nutrasweet, is a sweetener you should not use in baking because it breaks down and loses its sweetness when heated. It is best used as a substitute for table sugar to add to drinks or a bowl of cereal. 

Sucralose: Sold as Splenda in the United States, sucralose is another sweetener that can be used in baking or as a table sweetener.  

Are They Safe? 

You may have some concerns about whether artificial sweeteners are safe for your aging relative. In the past, there was some suggestion that they may cause health problems. However, there is a great deal of research that indicates they are safe. However, they really have no nutritional value, so it’s still best to use them in moderation. 

Elder care providers can help modify your older family member’s diet by using sugar substitutes. An elder care provider can offer the senior a packet of sweetener for their coffee or tea rather than getting out the sugar. Elder care can also cook healthy meals and an occasional dessert using a sugar substitute instead of sugar. 

Sources:  https://www.verywellhealth.com/sugar-replacements-for-diabetics-1087191 
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323469.php 
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/artificial-sweeteners/art-20046936 
http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/understanding-carbohydrates/artificial-sweeteners/using-sugar-substitutes.html 

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

​I would like to take this opportunity to highly commend Gentle Home Services for the wonderful help provided to me. The level of care provided for our mother was extraordinary. As you know, I had no experience caring for a diabetic, 90 year old stroke victim. I was frantic in my resolve to be the best I could be. Had it not been for your caregiver's knowledge and guidance, I would never have been as effective as I was. She was a caring professional who treated our mother as if she had been her own. My husband and I both felt her to be a member of our household who willingly did everything possible to make our mother's life easier. It is never easy caring for an elderly invalid and her patience never waived. We will miss her smiling face and wonderful attitude which helped us start each day.

I would also like to personally thank you for your assistance and encouragement. What a great organization that takes the time to treat their customers with personal care. You helped make the situation less stressful.

Former Client, Lake County

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.

Our very own Susan Scatchell, Director of Business Development, was quoted in this recent article about care contracts.

https://www.care.com/c/stories/15947/why-senior-care-providers-need-contracts/


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

When elderly adults are diagnosed with kidney disease, it can quickly cause their lives to be disrupted as they learn to deal with the symptoms of the condition and the side effects of the treatment process, known as dialysis. With kidney disease, aging adults face plenty of health issues and family caregivers must provide the support and care they need to get through it. When it comes to dialysis, however, most family caregivers are not aware of what they can do to provide the best help to elderly loved ones. 

A Little About Kidney Disease in Seniors 

When the kidneys are diseased, they cannot filter the blood properly, leaving too many toxins behind. Without the kidneys doing their job, seniors can become very sick as the waste builds up and starts to affect the body. There is no medicinal cure for kidney disease, and many seniors are ineligible for a kidney transplant. Dialysis is a treatment that can keep the blood clean and essentially save their lives. 

Without treatment, kidney disease can be fatal, so it’s important that aging adults follow their doctor’s orders exactly. This means regular dialysis at a hospital, clinic or special treatment center. Seniors who are dependent on a family caregiver are usually not living independently and therefore cannot make appointments or drive themselves to the treatment location. Aging adults must rely on their family members to get them to dialysis ass often as they need to. 

Dialysis and Aging Adults 

The doctor will recommend how frequently the aging adult needs to attend a dialysis treatment. Depending on the severity of the kidney disease, doctors could recommend anywhere from a few times per month to several times each week. The process itself takes several hours at a time, as the elderly adult rests on a couch or bed as they are hooked up to specialized equipment. The equipment routes the blood out of the body, filters it, and then returns the cleaned blood to the body.  

Side effects of dialysis include fatigue, nausea, muscle cramps, blood clotting issues, possible infections, malnutrition and dry skin. These side effects can be hard to bear in addition to the symptoms of the kidney disease itself. Family caregivers often hire homecare providers to help their aging loved one rest comfortably in their home. Homecare providers are experienced in caring for seniors with physical or cognitive issues. When a professional is looking after their elderly loved one, many family caregivers feel more comfortable than if their loved one was alone. 

Dialysis is extremely important for aging adults with kidney disease, but seniors cannot take full advantage of it without the dedication and compassion of their family caregivers and homecare providers. Forming a strong support team is necessary for aging adults to be able to thrive despite a diagnosis of kidney disease and the subsequent dialysis treatments.  

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

Few things are more uncomfortable than dry skin, especially for seniors. Because their skin doesn’t function as well as it once did due to age, elderly adults can feel itchy and dry all day and night. When they scratch, they run the risk of raising welts or breaking the skin, causing an infection. Family caregivers and senior care providers must really focus on quality skin care on behalf of the elderly adult, so they can be comfortable and healthy.  

The first thing to do is for family caregivers and senior care providers to ensure the skin is healthy from the inside out. They must encourage aging adults to drink plenty of water and take vitamins. A healthy diet is important to good skin health and keeping it supple. When seniors are dehydrated and malnourished, their condition is reflected in dry skin. 

The next treatment that ensures soft skin is applying moisturizer as needed, several times per day. When elderly adults are finished with their bath or shower, family caregivers or senior care providers should apply a quality moisturizer to prevent dryness. Seniors should only shower in lukewarm water and be patted dry with a soft towel instead of scrubbed dry. 

The type of skin care products can also have a lot to do with how dry seniors get during the winter months. Family caregivers and senior care providers should only use mild soap and non-perfumed moisturizers and lotions. Elderly adults should also avoid laundry detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheets that are heavily perfumed. The irritation can lead to dryness and other skin rashes.  

Cold weather is hard on skin because it is usually exposed to extreme temperatures of heat and cold. Windy outdoor weather saps the skin of any moisture, and dry forced heat indoors does as well. Family caregivers and senior care providers can use a humidifier in the aging adult’s room if their skin is quite dry. Humidifiers pump the air full of moisture, helping the skin to stay hydrated.  

The final thing that family caregivers and senior care providers can do to help seniors with dry skin is to encourage them to break bad habits. Smoking is one of the leading causes of dry skin. The harsh chemicals are hard on the skin and harms the body as well. Seniors that have a habit of scratching themselves can also cause more harm than good. Family caregivers and senior care providers can keep the senior’s nails trimmed short so that they aren’t sharp enough to break the skin.  

Dry skin may not seem like a big deal, but it can be quite annoying and painful for aging adults. When family caregivers and senior care providers work together to eliminate dry skin, the aging adult will be much happier and healthier in the long run.  

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

Aging causes many changes in the body and with those changes often comes reduced functioning, particularly in the senses. One of the most common changes elderly adults face is low vision. Changes in the eye can cause vision to diminish and become compromised in a way that is not effectively improved with normal measures such as glasses, contacts, medications, or surgery.

This can be very frustrating for your aging parent as they struggle to follow through with activities they are accustomed to, such as reading, writing, and doing crafts, but as a family caregiver it is important to recognize how this diminished vision can also negatively affect their safety.  

Some ways low vision can impact your aging parent's safety include: 

* Greater difficulty recognizing objects in their path that might cause them to run into or trip over objects 

* Increased fall risk that could result in serious injuries 

* If your parent still drives, low vision can make it harder for them to accurately evaluate obstacles, other vehicles, signs and signals, and other issues that can result in accidents 

* Greater difficulty reading small print, which can cause them to misuse medications, chemicals, and other products .

If your senior is struggling with low vision, it is important to help them find ways to stay safe in their home environment and continue to maintain their highest quality of life. Modifying favorite tasks such as arts and crafts, using magnifying lenses, increasing light throughout their home, and other simple changes can help to reduce the impact of this sensory change and improve their overall quality of life.  

When your loved one is dealing with challenges and limitations that change their functioning and daily life, it can be difficult for them. They may experience frustration, depression, and even loss of motivation to continue caring for themselves. Integrating home health care into their daily routine can help them to overcome this and enjoy a higher quality of life as they age in place.

A home health care services provider can step in to give your parent the support and assistance they need to manage their needs in the ways that are right for them, maintain more independence by handling daily tasks, and help them to continue finding meaning and fulfillment in their life as they age in place. This can greatly relieve your caregiver stress and enable you to create a schedule that allows you to care for your parent and also manage the other needs and obligations of your life.  

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

​The Friend Center Memory Cafe,  March 14, 2019 

Memory Café with CJE SeniorLife at Weinberg/The Friend Center in Deerfield.

Topic: Medical Cannabis

Overview of medical cannabis and its effects followed by an overview of the state's medical cannabis programs.

Speaker: Morgan Kingsland 

Morgan Kingsland is the outreach manager for Greenhouse Group, a group of medical cannabis dispensaries in Illinois. She focuses on educating the public about the benefits of cannabis for a variety of conditions and the options available for Illinois residents. Please share with your contacts or families/clients you work with who may be interested in an hour of socialization and activities.

There is no fee to attend. Registration is required by emailing Jaclyn.Abramson@cje.net or 847-236-7826. Please RSVP by March 12th.

​​Click Here for More Information

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

Cases of pneumonia spike nationwide in the winter months, and this is especially dangerous for high-risk groups such as children and elderly adults. Seniors across the country make thousands of hospital visits due to pneumonia and related complications, and some of these cases even result in fatalities. A family caregiver must be on the lookout for pneumonia symptoms in their aging loved ones, so they can get medical help right away and help their relative heal quickly. 

Recognizing Symptoms of Pneumonia in Seniors 

Pneumonia describes what happens when the lungs, particularly the air sacs within, become infected and swollen. Inflamed air sacs make it very difficult for the aging adult to breathe, which in turn limits oxygen levels in the bloodstream. The inflammation leads to fluid in the lungs, which can further hinder a person’s health and wellness.  

Symptoms of pneumonia include coughing, wheezing, chest pain, fever and fatigue. Their coughs are usually productive at bringing phlegm up. Seniors often have a hard time recovering from pneumonia because their immune systems are generally weakened due to age and other chronic health conditions. If a caregiver suspects pneumonia in their elderly relative, they should schedule a doctor’s appointment right away. 

Treating Pneumonia in Seniors 

Without swift treatment for pneumonia, an elderly adult can die. That’s why it is so important for family caregivers to recognize the symptoms and get help for their aging relatives.  . Usually, seniors are given antibiotics as the first line of treatment to attempt to get the lung infection under control. In the hospital, elderly patients may be intubated and put on a respirator to deliver breathing treatments. Depending on their current health and strength, seniors with pneumonia may stay in the hospital for several days or even weeks. 

If an elderly adult is recovering from pneumonia at home, they are going to need all the help they can get. Hiring a caregiver is a good way for aging adults to be able to relax and recover without worrying about things like meal preparation, housekeeping and laundry. The caregiver can help seniors remember when to take medication, ensure they drink plenty of fluids, watch for spiking fevers and notify family members if the aging adult grows sicker.  

Pneumonia Prevention 

Family caregivers and home care providers can do a lot to help the aging adult to avoid pneumonia. Because the illness is contagious, the top prevention practice is for everyone to wash their hands frequently throughout the day. Seniors can get a pneumonia prevention vaccine in the fall that will reduce their risk of catching the illness. A healthy diet and regular exercise puts the body in a prime position to resist infection. Everyone should cover their mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing as the germs are spread through the air. 

Pneumonia is a serious health issue that plagues millions of elderly Americans every ear. Family caregivers and home care providers can work together to reduce the risks as well as watch for symptoms so the aging adult can get the medical help they need when and if they do catch it.

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

​As a family caregiver, you do your best to keep your elderly loved one happy and healthy. However, if you are noticing an increase in their eczema lately, you may be witnessing a winter flare-up of the condition. It’s very common for those with eczema to experience an increase in symptoms during cold weather. The winter environment gives the eczema the ideal conditions to thrive, much to the discomfort and even pain of your aging relative.  

Treating and even preventing a winter flare-up of eczema is an important part of keeping your loved one healthy and happy. Here are some tips that you, elderly care providers, other family members and even your aging relative themselves can follow for healthier skin. 
​
Treat the Existing Eczema Effectively 

If your elderly loved one hasn’t been seen by a doctor for the eczema yet, do that immediately. The doctor will prescribe a topical ointment or cream to alleviate the itching and calm the nerves. In some cases, doctors may also give the aging adult some oral medication to start work inside of the body for the external symptoms. A good moisturizer can also help with eczema symptoms when applied regularly. 

 Control the Winter Atmosphere 

There are plenty of ways that family caregivers and elderly care providers can do to the environment in the home that may reduce the likelihood of a winter flare-up of eczema. Since extreme temperature fluctuations and dry air can trigger a winter flare-up, you can set up one or two humidifiers to pump moisture into the air. The heater should be set for a mid-range, comfortable level, but avoid having it blasting all day and night as this adds heat and dryness to the air inside the home. Watch out for subtle atmosphere changers like a gas fireplace, space heater or electric blanket. 

Avoid Excessive Wetness on the Skin 

Wet clothing against the skin is a serious contributor toward winter flare-ups of eczema. When coming in from snowy or wet weather, seniors should change into dry clothes right away. Similarly, they should avoid hot showers and baths, which can also trigger and eczema flare-up. Family caregivers and elderly care providers should focus on lukewarm water for aging adults.  

Choose the Right Fabrics 

Certain clothing can irritate eczema, especially fabrics that are more common in winter. Scratchy sweaters, wool clothing and more can make eczema worse, especially when compared to the lightweight cotton and synthetic materials more common in warmer weather. You must find the right balance between dressing for warmth and dressing for eczema. Light, loose clothing in layers is the best way for seniors to dress to avoid a winter flare-up of the skin condition. 

It’s critical for everyone involved in the care of your aging loved one to pay attention to the factors that contribute to winter flare-ups for their eczema. From family members and friends to elderly care providers, everyone needs to focus on prevention and treatment to keep seniors comfortable and healthy as they live with eczema. 

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

Being a family caregiver for an elderly adult always has its challenges and offers benefits to your senior. When your elderly adult is struggling with a serious health issue such as cancer, however, the care you give to them can become even more important.

​Recognizing the tremendous value you offer your aging parent by being their family caregiver during their cancer journey can help you to find more meaning in this experience, dedicate yourself more intently to it, and personalize the care you give specifically to your aging parent rather than just addressing it their individual challenges and symptoms. 

Something that is vital to keep in mind is that cancer treatment and management has changed dramatically over the years. Gone are the days when those living with cancer spend the majority of their cancer journey in the hospital. While some will be hospitalized for stretches of time during their journey, and may approach their end-of-life transition in the hospital, most patients received the majority of their treatment as an outpatient, meaning most of their care is at home. Being their family caregiver means you are the one who is responsible for making sure their care and management is everything they need when they are home. 

Your role as a caregiver in your senior's cancer journey is about helping them to make the most of their treatment or management, encouraging them to continue to live as healthy a lifestyle as possible, supporting them and finding meaning and fulfillment in every day of their life, and being there for them to help preserve mental and emotional health and well-being as they deal with this extremely challenging time.  

If you have been looking for a way to help your parent live a higher quality of life and experience better health as they age, now may be the ideal time for you to consider home care for them. A home care services provider acts as a valuable supplement to the care you already give your parent so you know they are always getting the level of care and support they need and deserve when you are with them and when you are not. Because of the completely personalizable nature of the services of a home care provider, you can feel confident your senior is getting exactly what they need now, and are prepared for further care in the future. 

Source: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/caregivers/if-youre-about-to-become-a-cancer-caregiver.html  

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