Free Comfort Care Guide by the Alzheimer's Association 
The Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Illinois Chapter is pleased offer this free resource, Encouraging Comfort Care: A Guide for Families of People with Dementia Living in Care Facilities. This 21-page booklet provides useful information to families and long-term care facilities personnel about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, particularly care issues related to the late and final stages.

 

Second Wind Dreams 
Second Wind Dreams® (SWD) is a faith-based 501©(3) nonprofit corporation, formed in 1997 growing out of the work of Geriatric Specialist P.K. Beville. The mission of SWD is simple: through the fulfillment of dreams and the offering of innovative educational opportunities to caregivers and communities, SWD seeks to change the perception and experience of aging, empowering elders to age with dignity, hope and joy.

 

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease 
Early detection matters. Please review the following list from the Alzheimer's Association to determine whether you or your loved one needs help.

 

Mother’s Day, Father’s Day Offer Opportunities to Assess Senior Health 
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day offer opportunities to assess older adults’ physical and mental wellness, according to Pat O'Dea-Evans of A Silver Connection, a free Chicago area referral service for seniors who are contemplating a transition from one home to another. Cary, IL (PRWEB) April 15, 2010 -- Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are occasions when many people spend time with older parents, grandparents and other senior loved ones. In addition to sharing time as a family, the holidays also offer opportunities to assess older adults’ physical and mental wellness, according to Pat O'Dea-Evans, RN and geriatric care manager who co-owns A Silver Connection (www.asilverconnection.com), a free Chicago area referral service for seniors who are contemplating a transition from one home to another.

 

Caregiving Tips by Cancer.Com 
The responsibilities of caregiving for a person may seem complex and overwhelming to you at first. Depending on the person's needs, you may provide emotional support; practical assistance, such as help with medical care, financial issues, or insurance issues.

 

Should My Parents Move? 
A checklist to help you determine if it is time to consider senior housing.

 

Brain Health 
Things you can do to keep your brain healthy.

 

Warning Signs of Alzheimer's 
How to determine the difference between the warning signs of Alzheimer’s and normal behavior.

 

Planning for Your Discharge 
A checklist for patients and caregivers preparing to leave a hospital, nursing home, or other health care setting.

 

New Home Buyer Tax Credit Benefits Older Adults 
The home buyer tax credits expiring on April 30, 2010 can also benefit older adults looking to sell their homes, according to Jennifer Prell, president of Silver Connections, Chicagoland’s free senior housing and eldercare referral service. Cary, IL February 12, 2010 -- The home buyer tax credits expiring on April 30 can also benefit older adults looking to sell their homes, according to Jennifer Prell, president of Silver Connections (www.asilverconnection.com), Chicagoland’s free senior housing and eldercare referral service. “People tend to think of the credits -- $8,000 for first-timers and $6,500 for repeat buyers -- in terms of helping home purchasers. However, the program also has grown the pool of potential buyers, giving a big boost to those who want to sell their homes in these challenging economic times,” she says. Click the link to read more.

 

Fluent in Elder Law 
This article's goal is to highlight important concepts and introducing people who make appositive difference in the lives of the families and persons who are burden with long term illness.

 

How Will You Decide? 
An analysis on how different people plan for senior housing in different ways.

 

Planning the Move to a Senior Community 
How to plan for the move to a senior community before a crisis hits.

 

A Beginners Guide To Medicaid 
An introduction to the government's Medicaid health insurance program and how it works.

 

Community Checklist 
A checklist to print and take with you when visiting a community.

 

Value of Living in a Community 
A worksheet to help you calculate the value of living in a community.

 

Finding Alternative Housing 
An article discussing family dynamics durring crisis.

 

Nursing Home Checklist by Medicare 
A Medicare provided checklist to print and take with you when visiting a nursing home.

 

Nursing Home Checklist 
A checklist to print and take with you when visiting a nursing home.

 

Nursing Home Questions 
A list of questions you should ask when visiting a nursing home.

 

Nursing Home Selection Mistakes 
A list of the worst mistakes made when selecting a nursing home.

 

General Qualifications for Non-Service Connected Veteran's Aid and Attendance 
The attached flyer will help you understand the Veteran's Aid and Attendance benefit a little bit. Please go to www.SeniorVeteran.org for more information. Call Silver Connections for your advocate.

 

Social Security Initiative Helps Early-Onset Alzheimer's Patients Get the Care They Need 
The Social Security Administration’s recent expansion of its Compassionate Allowance is an important step toward helping Americans younger than 65 with conditions such as early-onset Alzheimer’s disease get the care they need, says Patricia O'Dea-Evans, a geriatric care manager and co-owner of A Silver Connection, a free Chicago-area eldercare and senior housing referral service. Cary, IL (PRWEB) March 16, 2010 -- The Social Security Administration’s recent expansion of its Compassionate Allowance is an important step toward helping Americans younger than 65 with conditions such as early-onset Alzheimer’s disease get the care they need, says Patricia O'Dea-Evans, a geriatric care manager and co-owner of A Silver Connection (www.asilverconnection.com), a free Chicago-area eldercare and senior housing referral service.

 

Medicaid Spend-Down Check List 
Medicaid spend-down check list written by elder law attorney, John Belconis.

 

Reverse Mortgages…Are they a good idea or a bad idea for seniors?? 
Information on how reverse mortgages can benefit seniors.

 

Benefits for Veterans and Their Families 
Information regarding benefits to veterans

 

VA Aid and Attendance 
See our site at www.SeniorVeteran.org for forms and related information on funding for Assisted Living or Home Health Care. All of the Silver Connections Consultants are knowledgeable on this benefit. Please call with questions.

 

Do I Even Need A Financial Consultant? 
Why you need a financial consultant to plan for retirement and for your senior housing needs.

 

Planning a Move to a Senior Community 
Moving your parent or other loved one to a senior community can be a lengthy and emotionally charged process. From discussing the topic with them and identifying the perfect location, to developing a moving plan and helping them settle in, the transition is one that requires patience, understanding, and a time commitment from family members and others in the senior’s support network.

 

How to Prepare for the Move 
Things you can do to alleviate some of the stresses incurred while preparing to move.

 

Do I Still Need Homeowner's Insurance When I Move? 
When you move you really need to have insurance to cover your personal property. Learn more in this article.

 

Moving Checklist 
A guide to moving from the moment you decide to move, during the move, and after. The checklist has been supplied courtesy of Paxem, Inc.

 

We Need to Talk...Family Conversations with Older Drivers 
For older adults, limiting driving presents practical problems and can cause strong emotions, from sadness to anger. Family members themselves may feel angry, frustrated, or guilty about depriving their loved one of the freedom of driving. Despite these concerns, family members and older drivers alike prefer to keep these conversations ”in the family”. View the brochure here or order your copies in English or Spanish.

 

Hospice Story - Thinking Outside of Typical Therapy 
Eileen Considine Boggins helps a gentleman with gourmet cooking in this beautiful story of courage and support.

 

Benefits of Water Exercise 
Summer is just around the corner and it’s time to get back in shape. Using your swimming pool may be the best way of exercising if you are over 50, perhaps not currently enrolled in any fitness programs and/or dealing with arthritic joints, fibromyalgia, back pain or have recently undergone a joint replacement surgery.