Most Canadians do not get close to meeting their recommended daily  intake of fruits and vegetables, and juicing is an easy way to accomplish just that.

Extracting fresh juice from raw fruits and vegetables and drinking it right away allows many of the vital nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, and fatty acids to enter the body in what is called a bioactive form. Eating and drinking alive, bioactive foods is the most efficient way to increase your absorption of all that vital nutrition available in good foods.

Since there really are no downsides to juicing after considering food allergies and potential drug interactions (discuss your foray into juicing with your health care practitioner), it is a safe way to build up optimum health while preventing illness and disease

Why not just buy fresh juice in the store?

While this is a good alternative, many juices have be pasteurized in an effort to eliminate harmful bacteria and therefore have had their natural goodness tampered with. The pasteurization process involving heat strips the nutritional value.

Why not just take supplements?

Supplements are a great way to cover your bases for potential nutrients missed in your day to day diet – but they are not a replacement for a healthy, colourful and varied meal plan.

Won’t the fiber be lost in the juicing process?

Fiber is such an important factor in eliminating waste and toxins from the body and maintaining bowel health. The good news is that juicing retains a lot of the soluble fiber, which is the fiber found to lower levels of bad cholesterol. Eating a well-balanced diet that includes juicing ensures all levels of fiber are met.

The body is better able to absorb all of the nutritional value from fresh fruits, vegetables, and greens when they are juiced. Learn more by browsing online or picking up a book on juicing from your local bookstore or library!

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The secret ingredient to healthy aging may be closer than you think – try your cupboard! Drinking tea is a relaxing habit and now all the more so with modern knowledge of the amazing ways tea supports healthy and graceful aging.

Tea, known by enthusiasts as Camellia sinensis, has been drank and revered by cultures around the world for thousands of years, giving us plenty of time to observe first-hand the health benefits. Thankfully, there is now an increasing body of scientific evidence to show that beyond being a comforting ritual, tea in its many varieties effects us at the cellular level to enhance health and even slow down the natural aging process.

From black, green, white, oolong or a fragrant chai, the way that the tea leaves are prepared and then stored determines their quality and the amount of health-boosting phytochemicals present.

Green tea contains the least amount of caffeine and the most powerful catechins of all the teas.  Researchers believe these enzymes most notably support the liver in metabolizing fats, aiding ongoing detoxification and even neutralizing cancer-causing molecules. But that’s only the first sip. Green tea promotes bone formation, arthritis protection, supports immune function, “supercharges” antibiotics, aids in insulin regulation, weight maintenance, stress recovery, prevents lung damage and protects against Alzheimer’s and related dementias. What a medicinal cup!

So with all this evidence, why don’t you sit yourself down to a steaming hot cup of antioxidant rich organic green tea. Better yet, brew a pot of tea and invite someone from your local Premier Homecare Services office to discuss all the ways we can assist your family or clients in increasing their independence and wellness. We look forward to your call!

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We believe in workplaces in which all people respect one another and work together towards common goals – which for us means providing professional, personalized services to clients who wish to further their independence as well as safe, supportive environments for employees to realize their careers. Be reassured that Premier Homecare Services actively commits to ensuring safe environments for clients and homecare workers alike.

Our Workplace Violence & Harassment Prevention Program Policy states our commitment to respond to all verbal or written reports of harassment or violence in a timely, objective, and confidential manner, and that ‘any act of violence or harassment committed in the workplace by or against any member of our workplace or member of the public, is unacceptable.’  We quickly investigate and take necessary actions in responding to any incidence and provide support through the process for all involved – follow-up to ensure nobody feels they are being unfairly treated after reporting an incident in good faith.

In addition, our homecare workers are responsible for preventing and reporting acts of harassment and violence that threaten a safe workplace. And they always have their Right to Refuse Unsafe Work.

With our preventative approach, supportive reporting, confidential investigative processing and clear policies – we ensure that Premier Homecare Services remains a happy, safe place to work and receive the best in industry homecare.

You can rest easy knowing you’re in a safe place with Premier Homecare Services.

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Continuity of Care in the Home

Overcoming Resistance to Help: Step 1 of 3

Being a family caregiver is a role that can challenge even the most capable of positive thinkers. A healthy dose of perspective and a few tried and true expressions to keep handy in your pocket for those difficult moments can make all the difference. Here are a few caregiver mantras that can be a breath of fresh air:

“I’m proud I can offer loving care that others may not be able to.”
In other words, finding that sense of contentment and pride in how you are providing loving care for your family member. Others may not have the skills or advantage to be there when needed like you are.

“I’m not perfect, and that’s okay.”
Most of us strive for excellence but we have to temper this with our very real human nature and learn to be content with the best we can do in the moment.

“I will enjoy the moments we can have together in peace.”
Life is what we make of it daily. Memories are not reserved for special occasions; they’re compiled from everyday smiles and conscious moments together with the ones we love. Find and make those positive memories.

“The person I love is still with us.”
Being the witness to gradual changes requires us to occasionally reflect on re-defining our relationships at all life’s stages. Remind yourself of the things you love about the ones you care for and cherish them for that.

“I have the right to ask for help if it becomes too much for me.”
Involving other family members or seeking professional services like those offered at Premier Homecare Services is a show of strength. It means you know when you’ve reached the point where someone may suffer from the situation if change doesn’t happen. We understand, and we’re here to help.

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Homecare is not Healthcare for Canadian Seniors

There continues to be a positive trend of retiring-age Canadians remaining in the workforce. Based on a survey by the Nova Scotia Bank of Canada, seventy percent of Canadians plan to work beyond the traditional retirement age of 65. Many of these active young seniors plan to continue working, some considering more flexible schedules, and many others who want to venture out on their own with solo enterprises.

Trends show that many are turning to entrepreneurship as they near retirement age. In fact, many say that boomers are the hottest group of entrepreneurs today, and they’re right. Whether young seniors are using their experience and expertise to pursue a passion, or wanting to make an impact, they are paving the way for themselves with “encore careers.”

These healthy, engaged young seniors desire intellectual stimulation and want the flexibility and freedom that comes with operating their own business. You can see boomer entrepreneurs typically involved in knowledge work rather than physical labour – industries of professional, scientific, health care, educational services, technical fields, and management.

The cliché of potential retirees clinging onto their corporate jobs and thus depriving younger people of opportunities to build or advance their careers is outdated and wrong. Experience and expertise is what they bring to the workforce and our communities are benefiting.

What an exciting time to age, giving more weight to the adage – grow old with me, the best is yet to be!

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Aging brings changes in vision, hearing, flexibility and reaction time – all of which affect ability and confidence behind the wheel. Keeping in mind that winter driving tests the skills of even the most experienced drivers, now might be the time for a driver from Premier Homecare Services.

If not, aging-related speed bumps don’t need to slow down today’s healthy seniors. They can stay in the driver’s seat with a few proactive considerations:

1. Plan your route, go during daytime hours and avoid rush hour times if possible, otherwise give yourself lots of time.
2. Don’t overload each outing with many stops and errands.  Keep outings short and focused.
3. Navigation devices, Bluetooths, DVD players, and even backseat drivers, are all distracting to the aging driver that should be removed, turned off, or asked to be silent while driving.
4. Certain medications may affect your ability to drive safely, if you’re concerned about this discuss with your physician and pharmacist.
5. Sign up for 55 Alive Driver Refresher Course offered by the Safety Council of Canada to help senior drivers keep their independence by improving skills and addressing concerns.

If you or your loved one becomes uncomfortable with driving, remember we offer driving services to get you where you need to go safely, with the help of a professional caregiver with proper driving credentials, a clean driving record and plenty of experience. Please call a Care Coordinator for more information.

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Signs Your Elderly Parent Needs Homecare Help

When caring for an elderly parent there are days when you have probably thought to yourself that YOU feel like the parent and oh, how things have changed! Your mother or father who have been a guiding force in your life, are now dependent on you as you once were on them.

If you have used the phrase “role reversal” or “parenting the parents,” you’re in good company.  It’s a catch phrase in the elder care industry used with good intentions to describe how family caregivers can sometimes feel – helpless or frustrated as they bathe, groom and even change diapers for their elderly parents.  However, these phrases can contribute to negative, disrespectful patterns of thinking and we should consider using them more carefully.

Words and thoughts carry meaning, and affect how you view and approach situations. Suggesting your loved one is reversing in maturity, is needy, or is behaving as a child – is demeaning.  Since actions are based in thought, we need to keep our thoughts respectful and positive, as much as possible. Keeping a positive perspective will also benefit all involved.

Instead of thinking the parenting roles have reversed, think of yourself as having an important role as a caregiver that evolves with time.  You’re helping a loved one who deserves to age with respect and dignity.  You probably know your parents better than anyone, and as you are caring for them or assisting in their care along with a caregiving professional, they deserve your utmost opinion that reflects your love for them.

Contact us to learn more about how our professional caregivers can respectfully help your parents remain independent.

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Active Aging includes keeping our minds active, as well as our bodies.  It’s a no-brainer that remaining mentally and physically active throughout our lives helps prevent cognitive and physical decline as we age.  Baby Boomers have been quick to understand this, as seen in trends in education and fitness.

Look at trends in education and you can see the focus has shifted to helping people become ‘lifelong learners’ instead of primarily educating young students with ‘career training’ as the end goal.  Learning for life means we continue to feel curious and inspired as learners. We develop skills and interests that meet the current career landscape that is changing and less secure today than it has been in the past. This major intellectual shift opens up classroom doors and opportunities to all types of learners, of all ages.

Why does this matter and how does it help us as we age?

Actively engaging in new activities and enriched learning opportunities such as group language classes, going back to university, or joining a reading group may help delay dementia and memory loss by keeping our minds active.  In addition, learning in groups encourages positive social interactions. A major indicator of mental health as we age is the number and strength of dependable social relationships we have.

Gerontological studies have shown that enriched learning environments can help reduce cognitive decline due to aging as well as depression and poor self image. With all these benefits, it is indisputable that lifelong learning helps older adults remain active and healthy.

Premier Homecare Services offers Active Minds – a cognitive therapy program as a part of your loved one’s lifelong learning strategy! Contact us for more details and the nearest location.

Please share examples of your lifelong learning by leaving comments below!

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At Premier we know that continuity of care is extremely important for our clients. Of the many complaints we hear about other homecare organizations, one of the most common is the lack of “continuity of care.”  With the CCAC program and some homecare companies, you can never be sure who will be coming to care for your loved one. Would you want a different caregiver each visit?

Continuity of care in the home means more than just knowing who is going to visit.  It is the foundation of a professional care relationship built on mutual trust.  It helps develop familiarity and comfortable routines between clients and caregivers, offering peace of mind to everyone.

Once the client is familiar with the caregiver and the routine, they develop a sense of confidence and comfort in knowing their needs will be met.  This reduces stress, an important factor in overall well-being.

Alzheimer’s and dementia clients find continuity of care especially important, where learning a new face and a new routine can be very distressing.

Premier provides Continuity of Care:  After a comprehensive in-home assessment, we carefully match a professional caregiver based on needs, required skills, hobbies, and even personality, and then introduce them to your loved ones.  You can expect the same caregiver or set of caregivers to be there for your loved one without change.  Contact us to learn more.

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We’ve been told time and again that we don’t toot our Premier horn nearly enough.  In truth, we do have a lot to be proud of so we thought we’d indulge a little today.

Not many of Canada’s homecare companies are accredited, but we are!

In early 2008, we successfully underwent a comprehensive assessment by Accreditation Canada in order to receive their industry elite standard.  Accreditation is not a one-time assessment; it’s an ongoing process of assessment, communication and effort from our whole team and those at Accreditation Canada. This means we are one of a few homecare agencies in Canada that continue to meet and exceed industry standards.

Why would you settle for anything less than the industry’s best?   

Our excellence has been measured in the 5 key areas of leadership, people, process, information, and performance.  Whether you’re concerned with confidentiality, our treatment of professionally trained employees, or how we communicate and interact with you and your loved ones, you can be confident you’re getting the best service the industry has to offer – our commitment to excel at keeping care and communication personal AND professional.

Accreditation Canada is a non-profit, peer-edited organization that uses a variety of measures to determine whether a company can be granted accreditation. This is the same accreditation that is required for all hospitals in Canada. The process is lengthy and involved, with each careful step steeped in communication and backed by documentation and verification.  We haven’t minded this process, as your peace of mind and the confidence health and homecare industry professionals have placed in us is worth much more.  Accreditation is our way of showing you our continued desire to grow and remain Canada’s Premier Homecare provider.

If you would like to learn more about what our Accreditation means for your family, organization or community, your nearest friendly Care Coordinator would love to speak with you further.  We offer free in-home consultations to show how we can best help meet your current or anticipated needs.  Contact us for more details: 1-877-884-1181.

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Accreditation Canada – Website