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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 [...]

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. [...]

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 [...]

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. Fall prevention throughout the [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Many Caregivers Give Too Much Of Themselves The focus of family caregivers is to take great care of a loved one. However, as time goes on, a caregiver’s energy, productivity and even motivation can wane…though not intentionally. Burnout is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. It is caused by excessive and prolonged stress. Every day is a bad day. The exhaustion leads to the caregiver feeling overwhelmed and unable to meet the relentless demands on them. Without realizing it, they can appear cynical, hopeless, and even resentful. In fact, [...]

Seniors Are More Susceptible To Digestive Disorders When the digestive system works properly, it breaks down foods into forms that the body uses to build and nourish its cells, and to provide the fuel and energy we need to live. Of course, it does not always work to our liking. We have all had an upset stomach at one time or another. It’s a rotten feeling – cramps, nausea, etc. Hopefully, the symptoms go away quickly and our appetite returns. In addition to a tummy ache, there are a variety of [...]

The summer is here. Long days filled with blue skies… as well as high temperatures. We love the summer days but we al need to be mindful of the effects that the sun and excessive heat can have on our elderly loved one. Overheating is a real danger with the elderly so watch for signs such as confusion or an unusual mental state. If your loved one exhibits either it could be that they are suffering from heat stroke. Keep them hydrated and ensure that they are dressed lightly. Call their [...]

There are fears that can creep into a person’s mind during any stage of life. They tend to change a bit as time goes on, but there is something that almost everyone fears in each stage. As you reach those retirement years and beyond, you begin to think through other aspects of aging and how your life may change drastically. Here are four of the most common fears that creep into peoples’ minds in the later stages in life. Being Forgotten Nobody wants to be forgotten. As humans, we are made [...]