In our first blog post of this series: Three Steps to Overcoming Resistance to Help – Step 1, we reflected on how our words and attitudes could be creating resistance rather than getting us closer to our goal of having professional help at home.  Now, let’s take a look at step two on how we can gather the forces and use available resources.

Step 2:  It Takes a Community to Help an Elder – Gather the Forces and Resources!
Often, concerned loved ones who wish their parents to have some help at home are met with resistance.  You want to ease their burden yet still allow them the independence they desire.  We may strive for independence at all stages of our lives, but in truth it takes a community to ensure an elderly person’s needs are being properly met.  As John Donne once wrote, ‘no man is an island.’

You can’t expect to be the sole provider of care for your loved one, an island of care, it takes a community to help an elder.  Turning to industry professionals like Premier Homecare Services, is a great place to start.  Not only are we a great, one-stop source for resources, but your local Care Coordinator can understand your situation, however unique.  We guide you towards getting your parent’s the help they need to remain home.

Your Premier Homecare Services Care Coordinator has a wealth of resources to share with you – or you can take time yourself to research available services in your community that may suit your loved one’s needs, ability and interests.  Consider local community centers, clubs, libraries and even the YMCA.

Once a week is probably a good start for participating in any group activity, unless your parent is already socially active.  If it’s hard for them to get around, find a way to bring a hobby closer to home.  A professional Premier Caregiver can drop by for services including housekeeping, cooking, companionship and driving services.

Social interactions have a myriad of benefits, but can also bring your parents to see some of their peers situations, with care at home to help them live the life they want and deserve.  Chances are they’ll be more receptive to the care you feel they need.

Look forward to our Third Step in Overcoming Resistance to Help!  We would love your comments and experiences, so please leave a word with us below.

RELATED POSTS & RESOURCES:
When your elderly parents want to stay at home – PHS Blog article
Caring for the elderly: Dealing with resistance – Mayo Clinic blog article
Care management skills you can use – PHS Blog article

Elderly parents who are very resistant to any of your well-intended help may be among the ones who need it most.  It’s very common for senior adults to insist they are “just fine, thank you” at managing their daily lives even if it is evident they’re in need of some level of assistance to remain independent. 

How do you encourage a resistant parent to receive some extra help that would improve their quality of life and well-being?  Here is the first of our three well-experienced blog posts on the topic:

Step 1:  Stop Accusing and Start Listening
Curb your own accusatory insistence that your elderly parents aren’t doing a good enough job of caring for themselves, so help is needed.  Stop pointing out the obvious things they’re doing incorrectly or inappropriately in a way that is accusatory.  “Mom, you’re still wearing the same outfit you’ve had on all week, when are you going to change into something clean?”  Or “Dad, why did you leave the front door unlocked again?”

We think that pointing out mistakes will bring them to realize their mistakes and then make future steps to change them.  Wrong.  It may make them feel frustrated, embarrassed, helpless and isolated.  Chances are they’ll be less likely to ask you for help when they truly need it, lest they give you another chance to degrade them.  This type of accusatory talking is only going to push you further away from getting their acceptance of help, and you may not even realize you’re sabotaging your own goals.

Imagine yourselves in their slippers.  They’re aging, they realize all too well that time is limited.  Their bodies are changing noticeably and so are their abilities, and it is out of their control.  They have all the change they can deal with! Good news is that changing your approach is something you can do.

Listen to yourself.  What do your words, facial expressions and body language say to or about them?  Are you using an accusatory tone?  By being a trusting companion you can start to truly help them and open the communicative paths needed to transition into homecare help. 

RELATED POSTS & RESOURCES:
Holding an Effective Family Meeting – PHS Blog post
Signs Your Elderly Parent Needs Homecare Help – PHS Blog post
Caring for Elderly Parents at Night – PHS Blog post

Being in, or moving into, a residential care facility for the elderly significantly increases their risk of depression compared to those older adults fortunate enough to remain in their own homes and communities.  A 2010 study completed by CIHI – Canadian Institute for Health Information – looked at more than 50,000 Canadians living in residential care facilities such as long-term, nursing and personal care homes, and found that nearly 44% had signs of depression.  Almost half!

It’s well documented that depression produces a myriad of negative effects.  Feelings of isolation, withdrawing from social activities, and a disinterest in eating and remaining physically active are just a few serious concerns that affect quality of life in these more vulnerable persons.  Whether these elderly residents are diagnosed with depression or not, they may experience unstable health conditions, decline in self-sufficiency, cognitive impairment, conflict or withdrawal, sleep disturbance and other challenges.

The results of the CIHI study highlighted a real need for prevention, identification and treatment.

Remaining at home or moving into a residential facility is a personal decision for each family with their own unique circumstances and considerations.  Staying in familiar surroundings with the things we’ve acquired throughout our lives and in the patterns we’ve developed is not what everyone wants.  Some older adults adapt gladly to the changes of living in a more close-knit life some residences offer, while others obviously don’t, as this study shows.

Where to have mom or dad living is a major consideration that may affect their total well-being for the remainder of their lives and should not be taken lightly.  Consider homecare for as long as possible and work within the community to keep your loved one active and social with the many support groups and with visiting caregivers such as those at Premier Homecare Services.

To speak with a knowledgeable Care Coordinator about navigating your care options, contact your local Premier Homecare Services office.

RELATED POSTS & RESOURCES:
Signs Your Elderly Parent Needs Homecare Help – Premier Homecare Services blog post
Depression in the Elderly – WebMD Guide
When Elderly Parents Want to Stay at Home – Premier Homecare Services blog post

We are what we eat, and eating a well-balanced diet high in nutritional value, fiber and immune-supporting antioxidants is essential to us all, but even more so as we age.

Yet, eating becomes less something we enjoy and more a chore as we get older. There are many reasons for this. Eating alone just doesn’t inspire us to eat as healthily or as often, medications or health treatments may interfere with appetite and often come with dietary restrictions. Physical problems with digestion, lack of exercise, diabetes and even depression can all affect our eating habits.

Getting elderly adults to eat is often a great source of stress for family caregivers, so we’ve compiled some helpful hints to hopefully make mealtime more enjoyable and “productive.” Celebrate National Nutrition Month by considering some of these hints. Let us know what you think by leaving comments below!

7 Helpful Hints to Encourage Elderly to Eat:

• Water, water everywhere. Lack of water leads to appetite suppression and is required for almost every bodily function.
• Keep meals smaller. Instead of three large meals a day, think six smaller meals, just make sure they’re healthy and not snack traps.
• Bulk up calories with each meal. Add protein powder to shakes or drinks, shredded veggies to scrambled eggs, skim milk powder for calcium to pasta sauce, or a soybean paste called miso as a soup base for all the health benefits that come with it.
• Get their teeth checked. Maybe they can’t chew or are in pain, which is affecting what they can eat. Soft foods are better here.
•  Put the power in their hands. Get their suggestions of what to eat and have them help out in the process as they can. Along with feeling more in-control, they may enjoy the eating process more if they’ve had input.
• Improve the dining experience. Soft music, attractive garnishes, calm discussion and consistent meal times all make for a routine of comfort.
• Make it tasty. Don’t rely on salt to improve taste. Experiment with kitchen herbs and sodium-reduced sauces for taste enhancement.

RELATED POSTS & RESOURCES:
Senior Nutrition – An informative article from The Help Guide
Caregivers Give Comfort Feedings For Alzheimer’s Care – Premier Homecare Services blog
Healthy Eating for Seniors – Article from Nutrition.com

Older adults are often targeted for fraud because they seem less savvy to scams, are perhaps more vulnerable, and are generally more polite. Elder fraud is thought to be one of the most under-reported crimes, which is probably due to the embarrassment that comes with reporting.

March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada and time to consider ways we can prevent ourselves and our loved ones from becoming easy victims.

A look in the news quickly turns up a handful of scams and frauds with elderly as the victims.  Consider the Toronto elderly woman who told the Toronto Star how she was a victim of fraud at the hands of a personally-hired caregiver who conned her employer into handing over her Markham estate (article).  Or, the still common “grandson” scam where a caller pretends to be a grandson in need, fishing information out of the unsuspecting, concerned grandparent, and ultimately robbing them of money, assets and dignity.

Fraud robs people of more than their money, it steals their sense of security and is emotionally damaging.  It is common for elderly victims of fraud to become more reclusive, less trusting even with close family members, and less likely to open up and share how they’re feeling.

It’s good to talk about what constitutes fraud to your parents and together create a fraud prevention plan. Having a reliable, insured and bonded caregiver from a reputable organization like Premier Homecare Services is an important consideration in your fraud prevention plan.

Your Fraud Prevention Plan can include:

• Don’t sign any documents without carefully reviewing them.
• Hire bonded and insured caregivers from reputable companies such as Premier Homecare Services, not through private arrangements.
• Do banking in person and set up automatic payments, try to minimize over the phone or internet banking.
• Don’t speak at length with unfamiliar people.
• Shred all bills, notices and personal mail before throwing away.
• Recognize predatory schemes and lending practices.
• Reach out for help before lending, investing or spending considerable amounts of money.
• Don’t put yourself on the “sucker list” by refusing to sign up for free stuff, enter sweepstakes or register for contests.

Talk to a trusted lawyer or financial professional for more advice.

RELATED POSTS & RESOURCES:

Elder Abuse Links and Resources –Toronto Police Services
Holding an Effective Family Meeting – Premier Homecare Services Blog
Fraud Prevention Month – RCMP

Pharmacists enjoy an enviable reputation among Canada’s leading professionals. We continually rank them high on the list of professionals who are trustworthy. Now their role is changing.

As recognition of the expertise of pharmacists grows, there seems to be an acceptance of their expanded role – suggests the results of a study completed by Jason Perepelkin that was published in the Canadian Pharmacists Journal in March of last year.

The Vision for Pharmacy as prescribed by the Canadian Pharmacists Association on their Blueprint for Pharmacy website is ‘optimal drug therapy outcomes for Canadians through patient-centered care.’

Legislation in various jurisdictions such as Quebec, Saskatchewanand Albertais seeing key changes in both the scope of practice of pharmacists and in the levels of their prescribing authority. As pharmacists move to a more service-oriented role they’re providing a wider range of services like ordering lab tests, re-filling prescriptions and providing minor treatments. You can read more of these key legislation and policy changes.

So what are the responses to these changes?

Pharmacists of course, seem to be applauding the changes. Dennis Abud, Pharmacist and President of the New Brunswick Pharmacists Association says about the changes: “I’ve never had so many patients say ‘thank you.’ They are going away less frustrated and not feeling that the pharmacist is acting like the medication police.”

From what I can sense, most patients seem to have a favourable opinion of these increased responsibilities given our pharmacists. Yet, most Canadians remain generally unaware of all that their pharmacist can do for them. More informing of the public seems to be needed by pharmacists and the organizations that support the profession.

What do you feel about the changes? Please share your thoughts below.

RELATED POSTS & RESOURCES:

Pharmacy Policy Changes in Canada – Blueprint for Pharmacy
Using iTechnology to Organize Care for Elderly Loved Ones – PHS blog post
Public Opinion of Pharmacists and Pharmacists’ Prescribing – Jason Perepelkin article in CPJ P

 “Fiction is life with the dull bits left out.”
Clive James

What is more interesting than fiction? Easy answer: the non-fiction story of a human’s life! Perhaps you’re as interested as I am in finding out the chapters of someone’s life story, how different life used to be when they were younger, how they’ve adapted to the changes, wars, advances in technology – but, then, how similar the human condition can remain.

Or, are you or your parents looking for a way to leave your mark on the world or a place to write down your stories, thoughts and feelings where your children and relatives can come to learn a little more about you and the life you’ve led?

Legacy blogging is becoming a fantastic tool for the increasingly internet-savvy Senior or Baby Boomer to share their stories of present and past. Legacy blogging is way to document a life, a history, a past full of dreams fulfilled and forgotten, stories of love and friendship, hardships and joys. How irresistible!

On the down side, legacy blogs on free sites such as WordPress, Blogger, or Typepad can be removed if left inactive. If you’re concerned about all the blog content being lost forever into the internet black hole, you may wish to consider the services that convert blogs into books – a permanent memoir and great reading! These blog to book services can be found at places like Blurb or Blog2Print.

At Premier Homecare Services, our Caregivers can assist in a wide range of services in the comfort of wherever home is, and if helping to start a blog and learning how to make an online legacy is important.  Contact your local office to speak with a Care Coordinator.

If you’re a legacy blogger, please leave your thoughts and comments! We’d love to hear why you started blogging. Don’t forget to share a link to your blog!

Sneak a peek at some of these Legacy Blogs or find a whole list at The Ageless Project:

• Me and the Cat – Born in the USA 1930, Lorraine shares a look back through her life with photos, stories, and tree-hugging experiences.
• Age of Rieson – An Octogenarian scientist, Marie got her PhD at the age of 46, lived in Toronto for part of her life.
• Blogging in Paris – A former English teacher living in Paris, breast cancer survivor, avid walker and photographer.

RELATED POSTS & RESOURCES:
Preserving memories: Genealogy, Family Trees & Journals – PHS blog post
Changing the Shape of Aging While Living it Up for Senior’s Month – PHS blog post

Your parents have spent the majority of their lives independent and self-responsible, helping you to navigate through a world of experiences as you grew into your own life, and now the tides have turned and they’re in need of your support.

When your elderly parents reach the “decision making point” – the time when a choice needs to be made so they’re keeping a good quality of life and able to meet their daily needs with assistance – thoughtful decisions are needed.  Choices lie between reliable homecare services that can help them to remain comfortable in their own home for as long as possible, a care or retirement facility, or moving in with you.

Making room for Mom and Dad is a scenario that’s increasingly being played out by grown children across Canada, especially for baby boomers with children of their own to care for.  It’s a time of transitions, adjustments, and major challenges for everyone.  As the grown child, your life can’t help but drastically change and you may faced with controlling the TV volume for your hard of hearing mother, meal planning to suit dietary restrictions, dealing with mood swings (yours or theirs), or playing chauffeur.  Primary caregivers responsible for their parents’ care often need to reduce their working schedules to meet the increased demands at home, placing financial strain as the cherry on top.

Not that it’s any easier for the parents to move under your roof.  Aging parents are transitioning into an unknown world themselves, often slowly losing their abilities while facing medical problems and feelings of guilt for needing your daily assistance.  They may feel shame at needing you to bathe them or assist with grooming.  No doubt they’re frustrated, too.

Solutions? At Premier Homecare Services, we have flexible schedules personalized to meet your needs and we offer all the services you need to help your parents remain independent.  Whether they are helped to stay in their own home, or you have some extra help around yours, Premier Caregivers can help.  If you’d like more information, please contact your local office.

RELATED POSTS & RESOURCES:

Transitioning from Hospital to Homecare – Premier Homecare Services Blog
When Caregiver Expectations Turn into Frustrations – Premier Homecare Services Blog
When Mom/Dad Move In – National Association of Social Workers, Help Starts Here

100 years ago your life expectancy would have been in your 40s. Today, Canadians are now expected to reach about 80 – a doubling of life expectancy.

Recently, I talked with a friend about what age we’d like to reach if we were given the choice.  I feel like we all must know someone who says “live fast, die young,” or “I’m not going anywhere for a while.” Call it intuition, but I’ve always felt that I’m going to live a long life, not of the centenarian variety, but a long enough life with what I hope will be a good quality of life.

Quality AND Quantity

That’s the key. Living a full, long life is wonderful, but only when it’s accompanied by a positive quality of life with which to enjoy it. We want to remain physically active with mental acuity. It appears that centenarians, or those who live to be over 100, often have this right combination.

Here’s what centenarians have in common, according to the Boston University School of Medicine’s New England Centenarian Study:

• Most centenarians are slim or lean, not obese.
• Extensive smoking habits are rare.
• Are better able to handle stress and life’s difficulties.
• Are less likely to get dementia.
• Appears to be a genetic link, with many children following
  in their parents’ footsteps.
• And here’s an interesting one, most centenarian women gave birth
  after the age of 35 or 40 through natural conception. In fact, a woman
  in this case is 4 times more likely to be a centenarian!

If you’re looking to be one of the 14,000 centenarians expected to be living in Canada by 2031, then you might want to start making some changes for longevity. And if that’s not old enough for you, the number 150 made headlines when a biomedical gerontologist and chief scientist of a foundation dedicated to longevity research announced his belief that 150 years will soon be realized. He views aging as something to be managed, much like an illness or disease.

Why not leave a comment sharing how old you’d like to be? What is your favourite anti-aging tip?

At Premier Homecare Services, our personalized services help you or your loved ones remain independent, where most comfortable, for as long as possible. We’d love to tell you how!  Please contact a local office to speak with us or to schedule a free, in-home assessment.

To health, to life!

RELATED POSTS & RESOURCES:

Is this Normal Aging or Not? WebMD Article by M.C. Marill
Increase your Longevity – Canadian Living Magazine, A. Bokma
10 Fun ways to live longer – Article by Dr. Mark Stibich

When it comes to longevity of life, keeping friends close is more important than family.  People with many friends live longer than those with fewer friends and social interactions.  While having good friends makes our lives richer and longer, the same isn’t true for family.

In a 10-year study of people aged 70 and older, researchers at the Centre for Ageing Studies (Flinders University,Australia), found that maintaining a network of close friends is more likely than good family relationships to increase longevity in older adults.

People with extensive networks of friends, confidantes and companions outlived those with the fewest friends by 22 percent, a remarkable difference.  Also, the positive effects of friendships continued throughout the decade-long study, despite profound life changes such as death of a spouse.

While friendships may be a marker for longevity, it’s not to discredit the important role of family to older adults.  It’s simply that this study found that family has little effect on survival and longevity.

Why is friendship so important to longevity?

During our lives friends come and go with hopefully a few close ones that we can rely on in times of need.  Having someone to turn to when times get tough, to lend a sympathetic ear, can be a distinct advantage over those with no one else to talk too.  Friends offer coping mechanisms, support and advice, as well as having positive effects on mood and self-esteem.

At Premier Homecare Services, our professional caregivers provide companionship and can assist your aging loved one with mobility issues to safely get out and meet with friends.  If you would like more information to help your loved ones to remain more independent, healthy and happy, please contact a local office.

RELATED POSTS & RESOURCES:
How and Why You Should Maintain Friendships – Article by Elizabeth Scott, M.S.
Getting the Most from your Homecare Agency – Premier Homecare Services Blog
The Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing – Centre for Ageing Studies, Flinders University