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Elder Care in Darien IL

A Christmas Poem

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I have a really praiseworthy story of how God works in mysterious ways. I’m still in awe. I was wondering over the weekend what to write in this section that would be meaningful for the holiday season. So, I get a text from a caregiver on Sunday afternoon asking me to bring some timesheets to our interview on Monday. Why would he need a time sheet for an interview? Did not make sense to me. It was only an interview. But then I realized I forgot to pick up some new copies of the time sheets that I had printed a couple days prior. So I get to the store and a nice well dressed lady was standing in front of me getting copies made of a poem. The employee of OfficeMax told her it was a nice poem and she mentioned that it was written by her 98 yr. old mother that writes a new poem every Christmas. Wow! I thought to myself. That could go in my newsletter and website since it was written by a senior and it relates to the reason for the season. She gladly gave me a copy and now I get to share it with you. Praise God for the timing of how I got the poem. God really did provide this meaningful message for you.

It’s Christmas!
Christmas brought the Christ to earth. To a world of sin and woe. Where man did strive but could not earn. The Gift God’s Love did bestow! Praise God for the Good News. That man can seek Him still. Can seek, as in days of old, His forgiveness and His will!
O Blessed Christmas,
Helen Pace, Aurora, IL (98)

Lavender Can Decrease Senior Anxiety as Much as Dangerous Prescription Drugs?

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Common knowledge (and scientific investigation) tells us that the smell of lavender oil, distilled from lavender flowers, has calming properties. Simply smelling lavender oil can decrease anxiety as measured by the Hamilton rating scale, a psychological questionnaire used by doctors to gauge the severity of a person’s anxiety

But what happens if you take lavender oil in capsule form? You may be surprised at the rather astonishing answer!

The Nose Knows

Until quite recently, research on lavender’s soothing effects concentrated on its smell. This research did demonstrate that lavender has a calming effect, but it’s not easy to conduct double-blind studies with odors. That limitation made it difficult to draw firm conclusions about lavender as a treatment for anxiety.

Then some enterprising researchers decided to try administering lavender orally. When they gave patients capsules of lavender-infused oil, the results were truly remarkable. In a double-blind study comparing lavender oil to popular anti-anxiety drug Ativan (lorazepam), lavender reduced anxiety more effectively than the drug!

When Medication Makes You Unable to Function

The most commonly prescribed treatments for anxiety in the mainstream medical world are Ativan and other benzodiazepines or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Benzodiazepines, sometimes called “benzos” for short, may alleviate anxiety but often leave users feeling hung over. Well-known side effects of benzodiazepines include…

Drowsiness
Fatigue
Confusion
Disorientation
Dizziness
Impaired concentration
Faulty memory
Dry mouth
Vision problems

Benzodiazepines can interfere with your ability to drive or operate machine as well as to carry out everyday tasks. They also lower the body’s tolerance for alcohol, and have a high potential for abuse and addiction.

SSRIs do not have the same addictive potential, but do come with their own long list of unpleasant side effects. The negative outcomes associated with these two popular treatment options may be why anxiety is considered an undertreated condition.

A Gentle and More Effective Option

When researchers compared lavender oil and Ativan, they found that lavender worked better! Lead authors Woelk and Schlaefke conducted a multicenter, double-blind randomized study comparing lavender oil capsules and Ativan. At the end of the six-week trial, both groups experienced similar drops in anxiety levels as measure by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), but the group taking lavender actually experienced a slightly more substantial decrease.

During the trial, additional tools were used to measure anxiety levels, such as…

The HAM-A “somatic anxiety” subscore
The HAM-A “psychic anxiety” subscore
The Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS)
The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ-PW)
The SF 36 Health Survey Questionnaire
The Clinical Global Impressions of Severity of Disorder (CGI)

Participants also kept sleep diaries. All in all, the measures indicated the lavender had just as serious a positive effect on anxiety as Ativan.

Unlike Ativan, other benzodiazepines, and SSRIs, lavender oils have no potential for drug abuse, and causes no “hangovers” or other undesirable effects. So far scientists have given it a green light as an anxiety treatment.

Source: Underground Health Reporter by Think Outside the Box Publishing, LLC. November 9, 2015

 3 Life Lessons You Can Learn By Riding a Bike

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A few weeks ago my youngest daughter, Alaina, learned to ride a big-girl 2-wheeler, no training wheels bicycle! As I watched her experience the joy of the wind in her hair and pride of pedaling for the first time, a few life lessons occurred to me. I thought I’d share those with you.

When the road throws you a curve, go with it!
When a turn is coming up, you have to lean with the curve so you stay on course. You can’t fight it and go the other way or you’ll fall off. Life sometimes throws you curves too, and in order to remain on top, you need to go with the flow. If a tragedy happens… 

accept its pain, and go with God’s larger plan which is for the ultimate good!

A bike doesn’t move on its own.
Life and bicycles need people to operate them. Without a person behind the handlebars, guiding and making choices, it just won’t go anywhere. Life is the same. Making no choice, is really the same as making your choice; do so mindfully and thoughtfully.

You can’t do it forever.
 Some people wish they could live forever. Some people even act as if they just might. But just like riding a bike, your body eventually wears out, and you need to go home. The important thing is that you enjoy the ride while you’re experiencing it, have fun, and be grateful for the ride.

If you know someone who’s body is ready for a rest, but wants to rest at their own home before going to their final home with God in heaven, Safe at Home Healthcare can help.

Elder Care in Darien, IL: What the Supreme Court’s Health Care Ruling Means for Consumers

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Recently The Wall Street Journal did an excellent job of explaining how the Supreme Court’s latest ruling will impact consumers. The article is written in layman’s terms so that it is easier to understand.

The bottom line for most Americans is that the new law won’t go into effect until 2014, but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored. Think about your situation and your options now- plan ahead.

Insurance Premiums in the Future

Most consumers can expect to keep seeing increases in premiums and co-payments because the underlying cost of health care is expected to rise. The law contains a few mechanisms to curb premiums, but it also requires that many insurance providers make their benefits more generous, which will raise their cost. Older people could see their premiums go down because of the new age rating rules insurers will face. People who buy policies without the help of an employer could get a better deal by being able to shop on the exchanges, where comparing plans will be easier than before.

What Can You Expect to See if You Choose NOT to Have Health Insurance?

The penalty will start at $95 a year or up to 1% of a person’s income, whichever is greater.

Here are some of the questions that the Wall Street Journal Addresses:

• Does this mean the health overhaul law is in place for good?

• What happens to any benefits I already get because of the law?

• When will I see the big changes from the law?

• What if I already have insurance?

• What will happen to my insurance premiums?

For more information and to read the entire article click here.

If you or a loved one is in need of Elder care in Darien, IL please contact us at Home care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your Elder care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Elder care in Darien.