What is Respite Care?
Considering Respite Care This Holiday Season | Respite care is the temporary transfer of a primary caregiver’s responsibilities to someone else, who is usually a professional caregiver or another family member or friend. Primary caregivers will, at some point throughout their caregiving, need relief. Whether it be a few hours a day, once a week, or for a longer period of time, having someone available for respite care is crucial to your caregiver’s health.
What You Should Know When Caring for a Loved One
While it can be rewarding to care for a loved one, many caregivers find that their care declines in quality when they themselves become sick or unwell. Caring for another person is important, but it’s also good to remember to take care of yourself as well. This is especially important if your loved one has a long-term or severe illness. When someone you love needs 24/7 care, it can be hard to take time for yourself.
Comfort Keepers, along with Clear Care, partnered with Stanford Center on Longevity and Stanford University Psychology Department on a study about older family caregivers and their wellbeing.
They found several things – first, caring for someone with a mild illness had an emotional wellbeing greater than that of young adults, and that emotionally, they felt the same as their peers. However, when caring for someone with a severe illness, the caregiver had a lower sense of well-being than their peers. Researchers were able to make a connection between the lower sense of well-being and the inability to pursue one’s own goals and hobbies. So, while caring for someone with a mild illness did not negatively affect the caregiver’s well-being, caring for someone with a more severe illness did.
Caregivers can have a lot of stress on their shoulders, especially when they have to sacrifice their career or lifestyle. However, many caregivers feel like caregiving gives them a sense of purpose and can bring a lot of fulfillment to their lives – as long as they are able to take the time to care for themselves and their own needs.
If you’ve been caring for a family member and are feeling stressed or burnt out, hiring a respite caregiver can be a great way to ensure that your loved one is still getting the care they need while giving yourself a much-needed break.
Considering Respite Care This Holiday Season? Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help
At Comfort Keepers®, we understand that it can be a tough transition of trusting someone else to care for your loved one. Here at Comfort Keepers, we want to make sure that you’re confident in our ability to care for your family member. Each care recipient gets a customized care plan to ensure that they get the highest quality care possible.
We create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.
Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.
Checking In On Loved Ones This Holiday Season
Checking in on a loved one this holiday season | You may have some concerns or worries about how your loved one is doing. Are they eating well? Are they able to complete the daily tasks they need to do each day? Since many seniors live alone, it can be hard to know how they are doing unless you check in with them regularly.
The holiday season is a good time to check in on your loved one and make sure that they’re getting the things that they need.
Use this checklist to determine whether you need to make any adjustments to your loved one’s routine.
Look – Checking in on both your loved one’s appearance and the appearance of the home can be good indicators of how things are going. Does your loved one seem happy? Is their home clean? Look for things like dirty clothing, dirty dishes, or messy living spaces.
Listen – How is your loved one speaking to you? Have you noticed any changes in speech or behavior? If so, this can sometimes be a sign that something else is going on. Ask them how they’ve been spending their time and note whether they’ve been keeping up with their regular activities.
Smell – Smell can be a good indicator of whether your loved one is able to keep themselves and their surroundings clean. If your loved one smells clean, chances are they are having no problem taking care of their hygiene.
Taste – Tasting some of your loved one’s food can help you determine whether they are able to feed themselves well. And while you’re at it, toss out any expired food and medications to make room for fresh food.
Feel – Next time you give your loved one a hug, take note of how they feel. Are they too skinny? Is their skin rough? These sorts of things can help you figure out if your loved one needs any extra care.
Checking in over the phone – If you are unable to check in in person with your loved one, a phone call can give you some good indicators of how they are doing.
When you call them, ask questions about how they’re doing. You’ll want to be more specific than just “how are you.” For example, asking them what they had for lunch can tell you whether they are eating well. It can also help you determine whether they are having any memory loss. You can also ask them how they’ve been spending their time to see whether they are still involved in activities.
Taking the time to check in with your loved one regularly – even if they don’t live nearby – can help to establish a baseline so that you can be proactive if something changes.
Checking in with a loved one this holiday season – Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help
If you’re noticing that your loved one is having trouble with daily tasks, take action as soon as you can. Talk to your loved one to find out more about what they’re having trouble with, and why. You may want to schedule a doctor’s appointment to discuss the issues further and find a solution for them.
Finally, it may be time for your senior to get in-home care to help them with daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, or bathing. It’s important to choose a caregiver that your loved one is comfortable with and that you are confident in. While it’s important to be proactive, don’t be afraid to take a little bit of time in order to choose a caregiving service that offers the services you need and is also experienced.
At Comfort Keepers®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.
Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.
Preparing for the Holidays
Preparing for the Holidays | The holidays are a busy time for all. Between family dinners, gift shopping, and decorating, many people start to feel overwhelmed and stressed by all the things they have to do. Seniors especially can begin to feel stressed, especially if they have lots of obligations or if it’s the first holiday season after a major illness.
Tips for Preparing for the Holidays
Plan Ahead
One of the best things you can do no matter who you are is to plan ahead. If you’re a daughter, son, or grandchild, start thinking about family plans for the year. Consider any limitations that older family members may have; for example, if they can’t drive, who will drive them?
If they have diet limitations, it’s important to plan ahead so that they can still enjoy a holiday meal. Include your older family member in these conversations so that they have input on what they’re comfortable with.
And if you’re a senior, don’t be afraid to ask for help. It can be hard to take the first step in asking someone for help, even if you just need assistance baking this year’s pie or shopping for gifts. The holidays are supposed to bring joy, not obligation and stress; so, put an emphasis on the things that you love doing, and maybe skip the things that you aren’t looking forward to. For example, you don’t have to go to every single holiday event you’re invited to; just pick the ones that are most important and go to those.
Keep a Regular Routine
It can be easy to throw your regular routine out the window when the stress of the holiday season starts. Whether you’re young or old, keeping a regular schedule will help you de-stress and better prepare you for the day.
Keeping up your regular routine also means taking some time for yourself. Each day, take some time to do something that makes you happy. This could be going for a walk, reading, watching your favorite show, yoga, or meditation. While this time of year is the season of giving, it’s important that you don’t forget about your own well-being in the meantime.
Connect with Family Near and Far
Holidays can be tough when a family is spread out all over the country. Luckily, today’s technology allows us to speak to – and even see – people across the world. Set up video chat for your senior so that they can see and talk to their grandkids who may be living too far away to visit often. They will be delighted to get the chance to talk to their grandchildren.
For family nearby, make it a point to schedule some time together. Even if everyone isn’t able to meet up at the same time, scheduling visits with the older members of the family who may live alone is a great way to spread some holiday cheer.
Change Things Up
Finally, be willing to change things up. Sometimes, adding a new tradition – or dropping an old one – can spring enjoyment back into the holidays. This is especially true if the family is grieving someone who recently passed. Adding a new tradition in honor of them can be a good way to remember them.
If you’ve always had dinner at your house, but it’s become hard for your parent to get around, consider having dinner at their place instead. In fact, they may even enjoy hosting, especially if you’re willing to help them prepare.
And remember, no matter what you do for the holidays, don’t forget to enjoy and cherish the time you spend with family.
Preparing for the Holidays? Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help
At Comfort Keepers®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.
Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.
How Calgary Home Care Companies Can Help Seniors with Alzheimer’s
How Calgary Home Care Companies Can Help Seniors with Alzheimer’s | Alzheimer’s disease affects 5.4 million Americans, or one in eight senior Americans, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. With the disease becoming increasingly prevalent among seniors, more families are in need of assistance in caring for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s. Home care companies can provide this assistance and make a significant difference in seniors’ lives.
According to AARP, Alzheimer’s is not an inevitable disease for every senior. The organization offers many suggestions on how seniors can help prevent or fight the onset of the disease. Keeping the mind and body active and fit can reduce, delay or even prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s, dementia and other illnesses among seniors.
Among other things, the AARP recommends the following to help senior’s with Alzheimer’s:
- Exercise
- Eating a healthy diet
- Learning new skills
Home care companies in Calgary can help seniors perform these recommended activities to improve or maintain their health. Caregivers, like those at Comfort Keepers, can ensure that seniors remain physically active regardless of their level of physical fitness and flexibility.
Whether it’s a walk in the park, the neighborhood or a store, caregivers can help ensure that seniors get out and about to stay active. Caregivers can also assist seniors with gardening, cooking and other daily tasks that contribute to their overall health and well-being.
When it comes to keeping the mind sharp, caregivers can help with this, too. In addition to offering companionship, care providers will engage in activities and pastimes with seniors that keep their minds active, such as games, puzzles, writing, reading and more. They’ll also assist with and encourage seniors to learn new skills and activities to keep their minds sharp and to enjoy all that life has to offer.
Diet plays a role in a senior’s mental and physical health. Healthy foods provide seniors with the energy and nutrients they need to stay physically, emotionally and mentally healthy. Caregivers can ensure that seniors are eating a healthy diet and receiving proper nutrition. Along with grocery shopping, caregivers can assist with meal preparation and ensuring that seniors eat regularly.
Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help Seniors with Alzheimer’s
At Comfort Keepers®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.
Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.
Vitamin B12 May Play a Role in Alzheimer’s Care According to Study
Vitamin B12 May Play a Role in Alzheimer’s Care
Vitamin B12 May Play a Role in Alzheimer’s Care | Vitamin B12 may play a role in the prevention of Alzheimer’s according to a Scandanavian study. The study found that Vitamin B12 may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.
The study included 271 participants 65 to 79 years old. Researchers took blood samples of the group which has not shown any signs of dementia. Blood was tested for:
- B12
- Homocysteine
Homocysteine is an amino acid that is found in the body and increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers followed the participants over a seven-year period and found that 17 of the participants had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Interestingly, the group of 17 had higher levels of homocysteine and low levels of Vitamin B12.
Individuals in the study that decided to increase their consumption of Vitamin B12 also experienced a decrease of 2% risk of Alzheimer’s for every unit increase in B12. Researchers suggest that the increase in Vitamin B12 may be able to fight back against Alzheimer’s disease.
Vitamin B12 is very potent and has been shown to naturally lower the levels of homocysteine in the body.
Seniors are often deficient in this key vitamin, and it should be included in a person’s nutrition plan as they age. Many foods are being fortified with Vitamin B12, and it can naturally be found in:
- Meat
- Poultry
- Fish
Science has also proven that B12 can be beneficial in a series of other ways. This key vitamin has been shown to assist with:
- Formation of red blood cells which can help combat anemia
- Support bone health and stop osteoporosis from developing according to a 2,500-person study
- Reducing a person’s risk of macular degeneration
- Seniors that are suffering from depression and mood-related problems
- The prevention of neuron loss in the brain
- Prevention of memory loss and brain atrophy
- Energy production
- Improvement of heart health by reducing homocysteine levels
It’s estimated that around 6% of people over the age of 60 have lower Vitamin B12 levels. And about 20% of seniors have low or borderline deficient levels of B12.
If a senior does have very low levels of Vitamin B12, there’s also the option to have intramuscular or oral injections which will add an abundance of B12 into a person’s bloodstream.
Caretakers should ensure that seniors have their vitamin levels checked and that any deficiencies are addressed either through diet or some form of supplementation.
Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help Alzheimer’s Care
At Comfort Keepers®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.
Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.
Managing the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Home Care and Managing the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease in Calgary, AB
Managing the Symptoms of Parkinson Disease | Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that is second in prevalence only to Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. An aging population has led to a rise in the number of seniors suffering with Parkinson’s.
Signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease may include:
- Balance issues
- Mood changes
- Slowed movement
- Tremors
- Speech changes
- Writing changes
Researchers have not yet found a cure for Parkinson’s, but seniors can take steps to help manage the symptoms of this disease. The symptoms, when managed, will have less of an impact on a person’s life.
Home care strategies for proper symptom management that can be included in a person’s everyday routine are:
- Diet management. Proper diet can help manage a person’s symptoms. Healthy, nutritious foods along with adequate water intake will benefit anyone with Parkinson’s. While there is not a special diet for anyone that has Parkinson’s, a healthy diet is always recommended.
- Stress management. Stress has been linked to worsening symptoms, and studies are showing that less stress can help alleviate worsening symptoms. Activities that can reduce stress are:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Socialization
- Exercise
- Fall prevention: A person’s balance will often be a key sign that is first noticed with Parkinson’s. Minimizing the risks of falls is the most important step that you can take, and home care services can help. Preventative steps can include:
- Removing loose carpeting
- Wearing proper footwear
- Removing any trip hazards
Fall prevention may also come in the form of adapting a person’s home. Adjustments to a living space may mean installing grab bars in the bathroom, or it may mean extending doorways so that a wheelchair can easily go through the entryway.
Doctors should be consulted once symptoms start to present themselves. There may not be a cure, but a doctor can offer the best advice on managing your symptoms. Through proper preventative measures, it’s possible to keep symptoms under control while also helping ensure that injuries and falls do not happen.
Physicians can also approve an exercise plan that can help a person maintain their mobility while also maintaining balance.
Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help
At Comfort Keepers®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.
Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.
Healthy Aging
Senior care and Healthy Aging in Calgary, AB
Healthy Aging | The natural aging process can cause hormone levels to fall, eyesight to falter, hearing to be lost and muscle strength to decline. These physical and emotional changes are a part of life, but there are steps that you can take to ensure that your loved one is aging in the healthiest way possible.
Building optimal health with senior care requires a positive mental and emotional state.
A senior who is feeling isolated or distressed will be in much worse shape than the senior who sufferers from physical decline.
Understanding the Three Sides of Healthy Aging and Senior Care
There are three sides to aging: physical, emotional and mental. Healthy aging means that all these sides are intertwined, so it is essential that anyone who strives to age gracefully understands that aging involves:
Physical Changes
The physical changes of aging are complex. Skin may begin to wrinkle while becoming drier and thinner. Teeth may begin to fall out, muscle mass may be lost, and walking may become difficult. Hearing and vision problems may also set in.
An exercise routine, that your doctor is informed of and consents to prior to starting, can help by:
- Increasing bone density
- Retaining muscle mass
- Improving balance
- Maintaining coordination
Daily exercise is important in senior care and can be as simple as walking around your neighborhood or even downtown Calgary. Staying active is important, so find something that’s fun and exciting that you can engage in today.
If you follow an exercise plan and eat healthy, you’ll be on your way to optimal physical health for your age.
Mental Health
Mental health is very important to healthy aging, and this includes:
- Memory
- Alertness
One key method of maintaining your mental health is to continue to challenge your mind daily. You can engage in new games or activities, or you can start learning a new language. Creativity is key when trying to keep your mind sharp.
Emotional Health
The emotional health of a person starts to decline with the loss of physical and mental abilities. Depression and isolation can also start to set in as family members die or become sick. Money issues and retirement are also major concerns and forms of stress.
Increased socialization and less isolation are often key to a person’s emotional state.
Those in senior care who remain active, despite any physical limitations that they have, will feel a sense of purpose and community that aids emotional health. A senior should be involved in the community and continue making friends to ensure that their emotional health is always in a good state.
When a senior’s physical, mental and emotional states are in good balance, they can maintain a happy, healthy lifestyle.
Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help
At Comfort Keepers®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.
Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.
Healthy Grilling
Healthy Grilling for Seniors
It’s hard to beat the flavor of freshly grilled chicken or vegetables. Grilling is a flavorful way to cook your meals in Calgary, AB – no matter the season. Whether it’s a summer barbeque or tailgating with your friends in the fall, grilling can be a fun and healthy way to prepare your favorite foods.
Follow our senior care tips for healthy barbecuing and grilling.
Choose Your Protein
Choose healthy proteins for your meals, such as fish, lean ground turkey or chicken breast. Fatty fish, such as trout or salmon, offer many health benefits.
Try grilling healthy chicken kebabs layered with colorful vegetables. Marinate your fish, and wrap it in foil to keep it moist and flavorful. Use ground turkey instead of beef for your burgers, and add savory flavors by including minced onion, garlic and mushrooms into the patties.
If you do choose to grill beef, go with grass-fed or “choice” or “select” grades instead of “prime” beef. Go with “round” or “loin” cuts of pork.
Choose Healthy Portions
One of the most important aspects of senior care is maintaining a healthy weight, and eating healthy portions is the best way to achieve this goal. It’s easy to overdo it when grilling meats. Make sure that your portions are a healthy size: about 3 ounces for any meat. Your meat portion should not exceed six ounces.
If that sounds like a small portion, keep in mind that you can load up your plate with delicious (and healthy) grilled vegetables.
Add Healthy Flavor
Marinades and rubbing spices add flavor to poultry and fish without forcing you to use more salt. All it takes is one tablespoon of spice rub or half-a-cup of marinade for each pound of food. Give this simple marinade recipe a try the next time you grill.
Discard any marinade or spice rub that has touched raw meat.
Keep things simple. Skip the processed, sugary and salty sauces and marinades. Use your own spice blends and marinades. Grilling itself adds a lot of flavor. Sometimes, a simple squeeze of fresh lemon juice is all you need to finish your dish.
Pile on the Vegetables
Diet is crucial in senior care, and a healthy diet should include ample portions of vegetables. Vegetables add nutrients and colors to your meals, making it a feast for both your stomach and your eyes.
The trick to grilling vegetables is to cut them into pieces that will cook evenly and quickly. Brush with a healthy oil, and use a grill basket to keep them out of the fire.
Some of the best vegetables for grilling include asparagus, zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, onions and zucchini.
Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help with Healthy Grilling
At Comfort Keepers®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.