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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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
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
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
Lifting Safety for Caregivers
We may not recognize the risk we are putting ourselves in the moment of leaning over someone for an extended
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
Music Therapy for Dementia
In a recent New York Times article, "Giving Alzheimer's Patients Their Way, Even Chocolate," the use of food, art, music,
Be Sure to Check on Your Aging Relatives
Years ago my favorite great-aunt died. She and her husband never had kids of their own but bestowed their love