How-to-Become-a-Paid-Caregiver-for-a-Family-Member-in-Illinois

How to Become a Paid Caregiver for a Family Member in Illinois?

When a parent or loved one begins to get older, common questions arise, “can a family member be a paid caregiver for that loved one?”. The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Many things need to be taken into account. Becoming a homecare aide for a loved one requires time, dedication, and patience.

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How to Hire a Caregiver

How to Hire a Caregiver

Hiring a caregiver is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for an aging or chronically ill family member. Whether your loved one needs

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Home care services for elderly

Self-Love for Seniors

With the official start of the year comes an important reminder: to look at oneself with love and grace. To encourage the care and affection

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homemaker services for the elderly

Books About Caregiving

After much deliberation, you’ve decided it’s time for your elderly loved one to receive support at home. Whether it’s their physical or cognitive decline that

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Senior living during Halloween

Halloween Costumes for Seniors

Halloween is just around the corner! Whether you’re attending a party with friends or handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, celebrate the holiday right by dressing

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Self care for caregivers with meditation

Meditation for Caregivers

If we’ve said it once, we’ll say it a thousand times: self-care is essential not only to a caregiver’s mental health, but to their ability

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Camping Tips for Seniors

For lovers of the great outdoors, camping trips are a quintessential summer activity. You may have gotten a thrill out of “roughing it” in your

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Grilling Tips for Seniors

We’ve all been anxiously anticipating summer since January, but last week was finally the official start of the season. For many individuals, the warmer weather

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Skin Care for Seniors

It’s a fact of life that your skin changes as you age. Everyone develops age spots and fine lines. And while we don’t often think

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Hair Care for Seniors

Hair Care for Seniors

Many individuals don’t feel ready for the day until they’ve finished styling their hair first. Well-coiffed hair is the finishing touch to a look that

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Mantras for Caregivers

Family caregivers can’t fully support their loved ones without caring for themselves first. To give 100% to your caregiving duties, it’s essential to prioritize your

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Senior Independence Month

In addition to the other observances for this month, February is National Senior Independence Month. Maintaining independence into one’s older adulthood is something many seniors

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Heart Health for Seniors

Your heart is the organ that keeps the rest of the body running. While one’s heart health is important at all ages, partaking in practices

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Seniors shoveling snow with an electric snow blower, demonstrating safe snow removal methods

Snow Removal Options for Seniors

Important Note: Home Care Powered by AUAF does not provide snow removal services. However, our caregivers are available to assist seniors with coordinating these services

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Indoor Exercise for Seniors

Many people combine their physical activity with their time outdoors to utilize their time most efficiently. However, as the winter presses on and conditions grow

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Glaucoma Awareness Month

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. While it may seem like a strange condition to observe for a month, those impacted by glaucoma completely understand

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How to Enjoy the Winter

It’s easy to romanticize the cold weather during the holiday season. The frost and snow add an extra layer of magic to the beauty of

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Getting Outside in the Winter

Once temperatures dip below freezing, many resign themselves to “hibernating” (or really, staying indoors) until the first sign of spring. Winter is a difficult season

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Giving Thanks to Caregivers

Over the past few days, you’ve either been preparing dishes and welcoming family into your home, or traveling to spend Thanksgiving with said family. The

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Style for Seniors

There’s a misconception about seniors that when you reach a certain age all your desire to maintain your sense of style disappears. However, for many

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What is Elder Abuse?

Abuse is something that millions of Americans contest with every day. Among them, unfortunately, are seniors. According to the National Council on Aging, about one

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Self-Care for Seniors

September is National Self-Care Awareness Month. Over the past handful of years, the phrase “self-care” has risen in popularity. In the past, the prospect of

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Do Caregivers Get Paid?

At first, taking care of an elderly loved one might not seem too much of an undertaking. It may begin with simple tasks like picking

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How to Quit Smoking

In the 20th century, smoking was widely accepted among Americans. It was leaned on for a variety of reasons, from overcoming boredom to maintaining anxiety,

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Healthy Meals for Seniors

A large portion of U.S. adults consumes poor-quality diets—specifically, diets with too little fish, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. While one’s diet can’t necessarily cause

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Date Night for Seniors

When one thinks of senior couples, they often imagine two elderly individuals sitting on the couch with one another, simply enjoying each other’s presence. While

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The Elderly and Depression

Depression and Elderly Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses Americans face, and it is just as prevalent for the Elderly. According to

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What is Respite Care?

Acting as a primary caregiver for an older adult is a rewarding job. Each day, you are the reason that an elderly loved one can

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What is Dementia Care?

What is Dementia Care? According to John Hopkins Medicine, 5.8 million people in the United States live with some form of dementia– a group of

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Financial Scams Elders Face

Financial Scams Elders Face Today According to an FBI report of 2020, senior citizens across America collectively lost almost $1 billion to financial scams. This

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Yoga Poses for Seniors

For many seniors, high-intensity exercise isn’t in the cards anymore. Things like running, jump rope, and stair-climbing are hard on the joints and hard on

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Stay Safe in Extreme Heat

Over this past week, temperatures in the Chicago area skyrocketed up to 100. Given the mild temperatures the week before, this gave many residents whiplash—especially

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 Summary of COVID Updates for Week of 1/23/2022

 Summary of COVID Updates for Week of 1/23/2022 1)    The Illinois Department of Public Health Announces 225,000 Free, Rapid, Self-Administered COVID-19 Tests Available 14 Counties  https://www2.illinois.gov/IISNews/24445-IDPH_Announces_225000_Free_Rapid_Self-Administered_COVID-19_Tests_Available_14_Counties.pdf

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Healthy Aging Lungs During Healthy Lung Month

Your lung health is crucial to your overall well being. And certain lung damage is permanent. So don’t think that you can be lenient with the way you take care of your lungs now hoping that you can build it back later. Irreversible damage done due to some habits including smoking and knowingly exposing yourself to other triggers that you know will affect your lung health is not in your best interest.

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Understanding Seniors and Sleep

Seniors and sleep are important points of discussion in a world of healthful senior discussion. Getting a good night’s rest is an important step to a good overall wellbeing. Because sleep is so important, it’s important to discuss your sleep, or lack thereof with your doctor. Don’t take problems with your sleep to be a simple and common occurrence. Often times is can help us figure out underlying health conditions. And prolonged and chronic lack of sleep will eventually affect your day to day life.

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Home Care: Bringing Your Own Clients to a Company

Elder care is becoming an important part of our society. We are all looking to try and provide the best, high quality service we can. If you are already contemplating whether or not you should bring your clients to a reputable home care agency with you, you seem to know the answer. An agency with an already established name in the industry can do wonders for you and your clients.

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4 Signs of Caregiver Burnout

4 Signs of Caregiver Burnout

There are many different signs that could indicate you are suffering from caregiving stress that has lead to burnout. There isn’t going to be one simple thing that indicates you have reached a burnout point. You need to take into account the 4 different signs above, but also think about anything else that would indicate you are exhausted mentally, physically, or emotionally.

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Talking to Your Elderly Parents About Credit Card Debt

When it comes to your parents, you obviously want the best for them. And when it comes to your elderly parents’ credit card debt or other finances, you want to help them through their potential struggle. Know that you are not alone in this very common situation and that many have navigated this process before you. You have options in how you want to help.

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Home Care Assistance Pay Rate and Caregivers

What Do Caregivers Do for the Elderly?

There are a variety of reasons people opt to have home care. But, the vast amount of benefits that caregivers provide for the elderly can’t just be summed up in a list. They provide different, tailored care for every person they are matched with. And at Homecare Powered by AUAF, our caregivers are trained and ready and willing to add positive and helpful interactions to the senior that needs them.

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Illinois Medicaid and Home Care

What To Check For When Looking for Senior Home Care

Great service follows from workers who are treated well. If an agency continues to strive to boost morale and treatment of its workers, the chances are those workers will provide better service. At Homecare powered by AUAF we strive to build trust and an encouraging environment for our workers. That’s also why we pay our caregivers a competitive rate. We want to attract qualified and professional caregivers. It’s by establishing this good relationship with workers that will inevitably filter out into great treatment for those that require senior services.

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The Costs of Caring for the Elderly 

At Homecare Powered by AUAF we understand the worries that you may have when it comes to the financial aspect of you or your parents growing older. But know that we work with you to determine if your parent is eligible for in-home care. And we can help you become caregivers if you already care for or want to care for your parents. 

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Preserving Life Stories of the Elderly

Preserving Life Stories of the Elderly

Storytelling and the process of preserving those stories of the elderly is just one of many activities that can benefit the person you care for. It can be a great bonding experience for you are a caregiver. And, it will ultimately reveal some details about the person’s life that can help you understand and connect with them.

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Symptoms of Depression in the Elderly

Depression in Older Adults

As a caregiver, some of your duties will go beyond those described in your normal day to day activities. This can include recognizing signs of depression in the elderly adults you provide care for. It’s not always easy to recognize symptoms of depression in older adults. Some things may seem to be a normal part of aging.

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Traveling Concerns as a Senior Caregiver

Traveling Concerns as a Senior Caregiver

There will be cases where you will have to decide that it won’t be best for your parent to travel. But, other times the difference in them being able to travel will be your ability to plan and make arrangements. In these cases you will be doing a great service to your parent. Remember not to rule out their ability to travel just because there may need to be some accommodations made.

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Conflict-When-Caring-for-Elderly-Parents

Conflict in Caring for Elderly Parents

When it comes to any decision for your elderly parent, you will most likely run into some sort of conflict. Whether the conflict comes from disagreements with siblings and family members, or from something else, just remember your goal. You want to do what is best for your parent. You will want to approach any and all discussions with an open mind. That way, there will be no component of care that you may have over looked. 

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A Guide for New Caregivers

The decision to become a caregiver is no easy feat. But, whether you are caring for your parents or caring for others, you are a vital component to our society. Care giving is no east task but can be very fulfilling. New caregivers have a lot to keep in mind, but with the right approach, it can be very fulfilling. Take Into Account the Advice of Other Caregivers Whenever one is new to anything, the best form guidance you can receive is from those who have done it before you.

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The Benefits of Exercising as You Age

Exercise is a vital factor in your routine as you age. Hence, it can make a huge difference in the way that you or your loved one experience your senior years. As a result, making exercise a part of your daily tasks in a fun and healthy way will become an important component of your life. And as with anything, it’s important not to overdo it. Light to moderate exercise will definitely help you reap its positive benefits.

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Stress Relief for Senior Caregivers

How to Overcome Stress as a Senior Caregiver

Being a senior caregiver is no easy job. It’s important to take care of your health, so that you can take care of your senior’s health. Whether you are a caregiver for your parent or a general caregiver, it will be vital to manage your stress. It’s vital for both you and those you care for.

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Care is at home of elderly.

How Global Changes in Elderly Home Care Affect You

Ideas about responsibility and who bears the responsibility of elderly home care will continue to grow as the elderly population rises. Similarly, so will the network and number of caregivers. Thus, with this rising population of caregivers, will also come necessary shifts in the way that caregivers serve different communities. Subsequently, a rise in care will mean a rise in the different types of people receiving care. As a result, programs and common standards will continue to change.

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Senior Care for the Elderly

Senior Care Services Progressing in Numbers and Accessibility

According to the CDC, the number of Americans over 65 is expected to expected to double from 2010 to 2050. This means an increase from 40.2 million seniors to around 88.5 by 2050. This could mean a dramatic shift in the way we see in home care services continue to grow. Because of this, there is an expected increase in those who will receive long term care.

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Illinois Medicaid and Home Care

Home Care in Chicago: Illinois Medicaid Paid Caregiver Program Explained

It’s important to understand that in the state of Illinois and in the case of home care agencies in Illinois, home care agencies serve as a middle ground. Home care aides are trained and assigned from Homecare Powered by AUAF. But, assessment and coverage of a home care recipient (whether through Medicaid or other means) is determined by a CCU.

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Who Can Become a Caregiver for Their Parent

The Process Behind Becoming a Caregiver For Your Parent

While each organization is different, you can learn about the process of becoming a caregiver for your parent at Homecare Powered by AUAF. To initially start the process of becoming a caregiver for your parent, you will come in for an initial interview at AUAF followed by an application process.

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Fraud prevention for seniors

Fraud Prevention for Seniors

Seniors have long been targets for financial scams. Scammers have honed tactics in reaching out to this vulnerable population. But, preventing senior fraud can be as a simple as understanding the vulnerabilities scammers are looking for. There are programs, that help seniors understand how to avoid different types of fraud. The Illinois Attorney General’s Office has one such program called Silver Beat. It helps seniors obtain knowledge and the ability to take control of what can happen.

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Tips for giving a bath to seniors

Tips for Giving a Bath to Seniors

Showers and baths are important components of hygiene. Being hygienic prevents many other issues with seniors down the line. As we age and slow down, not being able to take baths on our may cause anyone to want to avoid them. It can be embarrassing or make someone feel like they are losing independence. This is especially true with seniors who may be facing many other changes and moments in their life where they realize they may now need help.

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The Top Causes of Elderly Falls

The Top Causes of Elderly Falls

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four adults aged 65+ falls each year. And, one in five of these falls causes a serious injury. With the added risk of frailer bones, these falls can cause horrific injuries in the elderly. This is why it’s important to understand certain risk factors that make falling more likely. Once you know these risk factors, you can understand the safety tips to avoid any injury.

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Family Caregiver Training

You will be walked through the process of training from beginning to end by our licensed and insured agency. Hence, opting to become a caregiver through an established agency, like Homecare Powered by AUAF, provides you with the backbone of what you need to begin reputable service.

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Flu Danger and the Elderly, Flue Shots

Flu Danger and the Elderly

We have all caught the flu at some point in our lives. But, as we get older it can be vital to take precaution against it. Consequently, as we enter our senior years, our immune systems can’t fight infection as efficiently. Therefore, this is why it is important to keep up with our health and nutrition as we age.

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Understanding Technology Use and the Elderly

Understanding Technology Use and the Elderly

With the growing digital age, the number of elderly people using new technology has significantly increased. According to Pew Research, 6 in 10 seniors, or about 59% now go online. Consequently, there are many ways in which seniors lives are being enriched through increased technology use.

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Dementia and In Home Caregivers

Dementia and In Home Caregivers

What we at Homecare Powered by AUAF can do is provide non-medical in-home care. And what this can do, is provide support to a loved one that may be in the early stages of dementia. Dementia is marked by mental decline. Because of this, the wide variety in support that in home caregivers can provide, can take a lot of the stress and anxiety out of those beginning to suffer with dementia.

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Home Care Assistance Pay Rate and Caregivers

Home Care Assistance Pay Rate and Caregivers

The question of how much home care providers make can be an important consideration in becoming a home care aide. It can be an important question in the case of deciding on whether to become a home care aide for a loved one. Deciding to become a home care aide, or becoming a home care aide specifically for your loved one can be daunting. For a loved one, it can mean deciding to give up your time and potentially making a drastic change from what you currently do.

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Why-Elderly-Care-Can-Be-So-Important

Why Caring for Elderly Can Be So Important

Taking the steps necessary to provide your loved one with what they need to age sets them up for ease in their older years. This can be in a variety of ways. This can include taking time to make sure they are doing the things they enjoy in life, that they are still focusing on their mental health, or even talking to them about adding an in-home care aide to their daily or weekly routine.

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Holiday Crafts With Chicago Home Care Services

Holiday Crafts With Chicago Home Care Services

A perfect way to celebrate the holiday season with your senior loved one is with crafting. With the streets of the Chicagoland area being decorated for the holidays, it’s a great time for your senior loved one to partake in the decorations.

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Home Care Assistance and Nutrition

Home Care Assistance and Nutrition

There are many specifications when it comes to healthy aging. Taking care of both the physical and mental aspects of our bodies are requirements. One very important aspect in our physical care, is our nutrition.
A key to nutrition is making sure you are getting enough fruits and vegetables. Certain studies show that fruits and vegetables that are “in season” are packed full of more nutrients.

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How Home Care Can Assist With Alzheimer’s Disease

How Home Care Can Assist With Alzheimer’s Disease

Chicago homecare agencies such as Home Care by AUAF are there to assist with the unexpected. Behavioral shifts may need the attention of one of our caregivers here. Also, it’s important to note that these shifts could be signs that a senior is experiencing symptoms that may escalate. Alzheimer’s affects approximately 1 in every 2 families in the U.S.

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How a Chicago Home Care Agency Can Prepare Your Senior Loved One for the Winter

What a Chicago Home Care Aide Can Change for Your Loved One in the Winter

As a Chicago home care agency, we strive to go above and beyond. We recognize the added stress of home care in Chicago. This recognition pushes us to present suitable activities to your loved one. Furthermore, it pushes us to find the caregivers that are ready to participate in these activities while maintaining the rest of your loved ones basic in-home care needs.

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Benefits Of Mental Activity For Your Loved One

Mental Activity For Seniors: The Benefits

While receiving assistance from a homecare agency in Chicago, there are a variety of needs that can be met. One of the positive factors surrounding home care from our agency includes the regularity of mental activities provided by our caregivers. As we age, our resilient, dynamic brains are still constantly growing with new neurons forming. Those neurons form as a result from a variety of mental activities, both new and familiar.

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Homecare Powered by AUAF Rooted in Meeting the Needs of the Elderly Community

Homecare Powered by AUAF Rooted in Meeting the Needs of the Elderly Community

Homecare Powered by AUAF started as a result of the Coalition of Limited Speaking Elderly. This means that our very beginnings in elder care were sparked by an intent to meet the needs of underrepresented communities. Our beginnings rest in the idea that we can serve communities through elder care at home. Our in-home care aides receive training with the base goals of the CLESE in mind. The wide array of languages that we can provide homecare aides meet these goals. This includes English, Assyrian, Arabic, Russian, Persian, and Armenian.

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A group of elderly men and women standing and smiling for the camera

What Homecare Assistance in Chicago Can Mean for You

Deciding to opt into receiving care from a caregiver agency in Chicago can mean many new things for your senior life. There are a variety of activities for seniors to do as they grow older. Hence the addition of homecare assistance frees up time and energy for you or your loved on to do the things they want to do as they grow older. The Chicagoland area has drastically changing the weather and can take potential tolls on the elderly.

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The Cost of In-Home Senior Care Services

The Cost of In-Home Senior Care Services

In general, in-home care can be paid for in a variety of ways. At HomeCare Powered by AUAF, our home care aides are provided to you at no cost. This is because the senior services received are covered by Medicaid or your insurance provider. Please ask your insurance provider more about details regarding home care services.

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The Differences Between In-Home Care and Home Health Care

The Differences Between In-Home Care and Home Health Care

There are a wide array of homecare services available for your loved one. We at Homecare Powered by AUAF provide in-home care services. This means that we provide help with a wide variety of tasks including things like laundry, meal preparation assistance, medication reminders, transportation assistance, and even social and companionship interaction.

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Elderly man on a wheelchair being pushed by a younger man in the middle of a park

Benefits of Having a Caregiver

The benefits of having a caregiver for elderly parents and loved ones are undeniable. Senior care doesn’t need to be a burden on anyone. A home care agency can offer the solutions you need, at the time you need them most.

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What is Home Care?

What is Home Care?

A home care agency can provide the senior care assistance you need to live independently. Find out if home care is the right choice for your elder care needs.

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Laundry

Caregivers can provide laundry care including sorting, washing, folding and ironing.

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How to Become A Paid Caregiver for A Family Member

Errands

Caregivers can run errands for clients such as grocery shopping or picking up medications.

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Personal Care

In-home caregivers can assist with maintaining personal hygiene, including toileting, bathing, dressing, and grooming.

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Senior Home Care Services | Elderly Home Care & In Home Caregiving

A Message from Our Program Manager

If your senior parent or family member is in need of proven, comprehensive elderly care in the Chicago area, you’ve come to the right place. At AUAF, we are proud to serve the elderly community of Illinois, distinguished by our commitment to our clients.

Finding the right caregiver for your loved one is never easy. Our experienced team here at AUAF will help you consider your options and make the right decision. We look forward to welcoming you into our AUAF family.

      Program Director

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