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Summer is upon you and it’s important to remember a few safety tips when you’re caring for an aging loved one. You want them to get out and enjoy the beauty and wonder that summer has to offer while being safe and protected from the dangers that come with the heat. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you’re caring for your loved one. Sun Safety Just as you would protect yourself and your children, you may have to remind your senior loved ones of this critical step in [...]

We are delighted to announce that we have teamed up with the VetAssist Program to be able to offer free, or low-cost, home care to veterans, or their surviving spouse, who qualify under the Veterans Aid & Attendance Pension benefit. This is an additional benefit that is added to your existing Veterans pension. We can sit down with you and undertake a thorough assessment to determine whether you are eligible for the benefit. If we believe you meet the criteria we can help you submit the application and all the relevant documents [...]

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Adults over 65 have a 2.6 times greater risk of dying in a fire than the total population, with those over 85 and over 4.1 times more likely. These are pretty scary statistics worth paying attention to. There are things you can do to help your elderly loved one stay safe. Install and check smoke detectors Ensure there are smoke detectors on every level of the property, especially outside of bedrooms. As well as testing them regularly, ensure that your loved one can hear them. Buy [...]

Reducing the risk of falling More than 25% of Americans aged 65 and over take a fall. While not all falls lead to injury, falls are the leading cause of fatal injury among seniors and are the most common cause of non-fatal hospital admissions.  95% of hip fractures are caused by falling, usually on curbs, steps, and uneven sidewalks, and falling is the most common cause of traumatic brain injury. In addition to the physical impact, falling can result in the person becoming fearful, impacting on everyday life and making them isolated. [...]

Thanksgiving seems to have flown around this year and on Thursday, many of us were spending time with family and friends. In our excitement, we can often forget that for an elderly friend or relative the holiday season can be an incredibly lonely and isolating time. Rather than happiness and joy, the holiday season can act as a reminder that a once-bustling and vibrant home, is now silent and still. It may be the first year without a spouse or much-loved friend or family member. Loneliness is true of other holidays and [...]

Family caregivers are often unsung heroes, not always recognizing that they are a caregiver, rather they are just ‘doing their job’. This year, the theme for National Family Caregivers Month is “Take Care to Give Care”, which ties in with our last article on noticing the signs of burnout (link to article). Caregiving can be anything from mowing the lawn, to carrying out chores, taking your family member back and forth to hospital appointments, cooking meals, bathing and dressing your loved one. Often, family caregivers are managing extra responsibilities alongside running their [...]