Memory Care Training
CMSS is thrilled to offer our community complimentary access to CARES® Dementia Training for families. This program will help you reduce stress and feel confident in caring for your loved one.
Maintaining a Culture of Person-Directed Care at the recent Pioneer Network Conference
Maintaining a Culture of Person-Directed Care at the 2022 Pioneer Network Conference Jeanne Heid-Grubman, CMSS’ Corporate Director of Memory Care, recently attended the ‘Pioneering a New Culture of Aging 2022 […]
CMSS Welcomes a New Year and Decade of Care
By Bill Lowe, CEO and President of Chicago Methodist Senior Services Each year at Chicago Methodist Senior Services, we experience exciting changes, complex challenges, and remarkable opportunities. They compel our […]
Tips For Effective Caregiver Communication
Effective communication between you, the person in your care and medical care providers is extremely important.
What Are My Options for Care as I Grow Older and Which One’s Right for Me Now?
The majority of us will need long-term care at some point or will need to help arrange it for a family member, but it can be difficult to determine which of […]
Celebrating Volunteers Who Give Back to Older Adults
At Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services (CMSS), we’re always looking for new ways to bring joy to our residents and celebrate our volunteers, and recently, we’ve had two notable occasions to do both at Wesley Place.
Caregivers: Ways to Engage Your Loved Ones in Fun Activities
In addition to the games and craft projects we’ve been discussing, there are many other activities that you can enjoy with your older loved ones. Whether your loved one is dealing with dementia or a physical illness, many of these activities can be adapted to fit their needs and abilities.
Chicago Caregiver Resources 101
Caring for a spouse, parent or other family member with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is an immense commitment that often requires lifestyle changes and increases stress. It’s no surprise that […]
Caregiving Spotlight: What It’s Like Looking After an Ill Parent or Spouse
Providing care for an ill parent or spouse is something that we often don’t ever plan for. It’s easy to assume that you’ll never be the caregiver for a loved […]
Surviving and Thriving as a Caregiver
Caring for an older loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is a big commitment. Between doctor appointments, keeping up with medication schedules and finding new ways to adapt to […]
How Caregiving Changes Your Relationships
Though the technical aspects of caregiving, which includes tasks such as administering medication or escorting to medical appointments, are frequently top-of-mind for caregivers, a much less discussed issue revolves around […]
How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Discharge Planning
For your older loved one, going home from the hospital after an injury or illness is likely to be a welcomed move. Recovering at home is typically much more comfortable […]
Three Reasons to Develop an Advance Directive (Today!)
If you’ve been considering writing an advance directive (also known as a living will) but haven’t sat down to put your wishes on paper, you should stop waiting and start […]
A Day in the Life of a Caregiver
Have you ever wondered what a day as a caregiver looks like? Whether a live-in, paid caregiver or a family member, it’s hard to truly depict a caregiver’s day as […]
Our Favorite Online Resources for Family Caregivers
Many family caregivers feel overwhelmed, underprepared, alone, and stressed as they face the great responsibility of taking care of their loved one. As we celebrate National Family Caregivers Month, we […]
6 Little Known Facts About the Real Life of Caregivers
The vast majority of caregivers for seniors in the U.S. aren’t nurses or trained professionals. They are the spouses, partners, family members, friends and neighbors of the older adults who […]
Dr. DeBacker Receives Prestigious Award
We are extremely proud to announce that Noel DeBacker, MD, CMD, Medical Director of Wesley Place, has been named Medical Director of the Year by the American Medical Director’s Association! He […]
An Open Thank You Letter to Family Caregivers
Dear Caregivers, The month of November is National Family Caregiver Month – when we recognize the 90 million family caregivers in the U.S. today. Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services (CMSS) is […]
Reality – What Is It Good For?
Unless your loved ones are combative or a danger to themselves or others, it’s best to go with them wherever their memories take them.
5 Steps For a Successful Hospital Discharge
Elder Care Helper offers these five key steps to help you plan a safe and appropriate transition from hospital to home or rehabilitation center.
Making the Hardest Decision
You know the moment is approaching. A hundred times the notion has crossed your mind. You have always let it pass — until now. Your loved one’s medical condition has […]
Stepping into the Leadership Role
Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia involve a progressive loss of one’s memory, thinking, language, and self-care skills. Someone with dementia eventually loses the capacity to be completely independent, […]
Lifting Safety for Caregivers
We may not recognize the risk we are putting ourselves in the moment of leaning over someone for an extended period of time. We may not feel any different a […]
Communicating with Alzheimer’s Patients
I recently read an article in Parade about a speech-pathology professor at Ohio State University, Michelle S. Bourgeois, who is finding new ways to communicate with Alzheimer and Dementia patients.
Comfort Care for Advanced Dementia
The prestigious medical journal, Archives of Internal Medicine, published a study last month showing that a significant portion of Medicare expenditures for people with advanced dementia is spent on aggressive […]