March 23, 2017 by Dean Bellefeuille

As Jane Austen once said, “There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” And for those with a chronic illness, like multiple sclerosis (MS), comfort is essential, as is remaining safe. If a loved one has been diagnosed, the initial step in providing MS home care should be to make the appropriate modifications to the home so that it is a safe, comfortable sanctuary, and not a hazardous place.

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 January 27, 2017 by Dean Bellefeuille

Millions of Americans find themselves in the position of providing senior care for an older loved one, and while being a family caregiver is rewarding in many ways, daily senior care can become monotonous for both the caregiver and the care recipient. At Home Independent Living wants to help you put the fun back in your loved one’s daily routine, and all it takes is a little creativity. Test out some of these ideas to help brighten your loved one’s day and make everyday senior care more exciting:
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 January 13, 2017 by Dean Bellefeuille

We often hear about how important the arts are in a child’s education, but what about when we get older? Art plays a valuable role in learning throughout life, but it can be particularly helpful when providing companion care for seniors.

For many seniors, particularly those who have lost spouses or who are unable to get out and about due to mobility issues, daily life can become rather monotonous and feelings of depression and isolation can become common. However, enriching activities can help combat these feelings and provide a fun and therapeutic way for seniors to express themselves. Incorporating arts and music into daily companion care not only provides emotional and spiritual enrichment, but can significantly improve quality of life and even enhance the senior’s physical and mental capacities.

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 January 27, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille

Now that we’ve shared with you the many reasons it’s prudent to hire a caregiver or companion for your senior loved one through an experienced, trustworthy home care agency, the next step is to compare options. At Home Independent Living offers the following list of questions you can have in front of you when calling home care agencies, to make sure you’re making an informed decision: (more…)


 January 13, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille

In our last blog, we shared some crucial basic information about shopping for home care. Even more critical, however, is understanding the facts when it comes to selecting a caregiver from a registry or private hire, such as you see advertised in the Classifieds section of the newspaper. While it can sound appealing: “Woman with years of home care experience available immediately to care for your loved one – low rate guaranteed!” there are a number of additional factors that need to be considered. (more…)


 January 6, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille

If your family is like many, spending time with elderly loved ones during the holidays makes it apparent that it may be time to consider some additional help at home to keep them safe. But where to begin? It can be a huge undertaking just to sort through the plethora of options. But At Home Independent Living is here to help! Our next few blogs will address the top concerns and criteria to consider in shopping for home care. Let’s start with the basics: (more…)


 September 10, 2014 by Dean Bellefeuille

Short of finding a fountain of youth, there is one step we can take to combat aging: surround ourselves with kids! New data shows that simply being around children can help relieve depression, reduce the need for some medications, and increase exercise in seniors. With families often at a distance, however, it can be difficult for the elderly to find an opportunity to hang out with youthful companions. To that end, some organizations are combining traditional home care & independent living activities by creating opportunities to get kids and seniors together in some fun and interesting ways. (more…)


 April 10, 2014 by Dean Bellefeuille

Aging can bring about a number of lifestyle changes, and perhaps the hardest of these is the ability to remain safely and independently at home. But is life in a nursing home an unavoidable option? Before making the unalterable decision to sell your loved one’s home and move him or her into a long-term care facility, take the time to completely assess conditions and prognosis, formal and informal support systems, and financial ability for care. (more…)


 March 27, 2014 by Dean Bellefeuille

Everyone knows there’s no place like home, and most of us would like to remain there as long as possible as we age. With the help of a professional in-home caregiver, the possibility of avoiding a move to a nursing home can become a reality, allowing for comfort, independence and self-reliance – huge benefits in and of themselves, but consider some of these additional benefits as well:

  • Family ties. Home care allows families to stay closer and family members tend to be more involved with the care when their loved one is at home. (more…)