Does your aging loved one need senior in home care?

Senior In Home Care | January is a time for new beginning and a commitment to health. For your senior loved one staying safe and healthy at home might mean it’s time for senior care at home. Home caregivers are a great way to give your loved one the extra support they need to allow them to stay in their familiar and well loved home.

It can be difficult to know when it’s time to start talking about home care for seniors.

If you start to notice any of these signs in your senior loved one then it’s the right time to talk about senior care:

Personality Changes

You may notice that your senior no longer has the desire to participate in hobbies that used to make them happy. They may suddenly become abrasive or moody and hard to recognize. If this is the case, a caregiver can provide them with the companionship they need to improve their mental health.

Increased Forgetfulness

If you notice that your older loved one seems to forget when to take a shower or visit the doctor, home care may be a good choice for them. Although aging can hinder a senior’s memory, frequent forgetfulness may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia which requires a special type of care that our Comfort Keepers home care agency can provide.

Poor Hygiene

You may notice that your senior doesn’t smell great or hasn’t washed their hair or brushed their teeth in weeks. If this is the case, they are likely suffering from cognitive impairment or an issue with coordination and mobility and may require home care as a result.

A Messy Home

If you visit your older loved one’s home and notice that there are piles of laundry all over the floor, dirty dishes in the sink, and a trash can full of garbage that has not been taken out, your senior may be struggling with activities of daily living such as light housekeeping and meal preparation. Home care services can assist them with these types of activities.

Social Isolation

If your senior prefers to remain at home rather than attending social functions and community events, their health is likely deteriorating and they may be afraid to ask for help. A home care plan can include incidental transportation services and encourage an older adult to get out and about.

Frequent Falls or Injuries

In the event that your senior has cuts, bruises, or discoloration, they may be falling and injuring themselves frequently without telling you. Frequent falls may mean that your older loved one has trouble walking, is nauseous, or suffering from poor motor skills. A caregiver can help with fall and injury prevention.

A Chronic Health Condition

If your senior has been diagnosed with a chronic health condition like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, or osteoporosis, they likely require full-time or round-the-clock care that can be provided through home care services.

While it may be difficult to admit your loved one needs senior care, it is an important task that can make a positive difference in their life while giving you and your family the peace of mind you need to know that your older loved one is well cared for throughout this new year.

Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help with Senior In Home 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.

Common Health Issues Among Seniors

Common Health Issues for Seniors | Home care services are an invaluable resource, especially those with common health issues among seniors. Caregivers who work at Comfort Keepers home care agencies have the training and experience necessary to provide older adults with a variety of conditions a higher quality of life. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with any of the chronic diseases listed below, it is in their best interest to opt for home care services.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis leads to weak and brittle bones in older adults. A senior with this condition can break their bones easily by falling or even coughing or bending over.

This condition affects almost 44 million adults who are age 50 and older. While men can develop osteoporosis, it is more common in women.

To assist seniors in controlling this condition and reducing their risk of falls and injuries, caregivers often support them in quitting smoking, limiting their alcohol intake, and consuming foods that are full of calcium and promote healthy bones. Since weight bearing exercises can also improve osteoporosis, caregivers can make sure older adults are incorporating them into their daily routine.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that affects more than half of the seniors over the age of 60. Arthritis can be managed with medications sometimes but a healthy diet and regular exercise that lower inflammation in seniors will also help. Home care services can help seniors do things that are difficult when they have arthritis flare ups like clean the house, cook healthy meals, and perform regular personal care tasks that might be painful or difficult. Seniors suffering from arthritis can find it challenging to even open drawers or open their medications. An experienced caregiver can provide the compassionate support that seniors need to live well with arthritis.

Cardiovascular Disease

Any heart condition that involves blood clots, diseased vessels, or structural issues is referred to as a cardiovascular disease.

Some of the most common types of cardiovascular diseases that caregivers assist seniors with include coronary heart disease, stroke, congenital heart disease, hypertension, and arteriosclerosis.

Since a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of or control cardiovascular disease, caregivers often ensure their senior clients are consuming nutritious, high-fiber meals, exercising at least a few times each week, limiting their alcohol intake, and taking all of their over-the-counter and prescribed medications on time.

Diabetes

Diabetes arises when a senior’s blood sugar levels are too high.

To help older adults control their type 2 diabetes, caregivers ensure they monitor their blood sugar regularly, limit the sugar, fat, sodium, and carbs in their diet, and take their prescribed medications at the correct times and in the correct doses.

Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Sadly, three fourths of adults over age 60 are either overweight or obese. Obesity is often related to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.

Caregivers assist obese seniors with weight loss by promoting increased exercise and preparing them healthy meals that are free of trans-fats and full of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and unsaturated fats.

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.

Caregiver Tips for Senior Stress Management

Tips for Senior Stress Management | The holiday season should be centered on quality family time, sharing delicious meals together, and relaxing; families should make every effort to manage stress during this time of year. If you’re in search of some ideas on how to reduce holiday stress, especially among your senior loved ones, consider the following in home caregiver recommendations:

Maintain Your Regular Routine

Often times, the holidays throw us off of our regular eating, sleeping, and exercise routines. When this happens, seniors may experience weakness, which may result in stress and anxiety. By maintaining a healthy routine, your elderly loved ones can avoid negative feelings and stay relaxed despite everything that is going on.

Focus on What You’re Grateful For

Seniors can get more depressed than usual during the holidays but it helps to focus on practicing gratitude. The winter weather can increase a senior’s aches and pains and make them even more aware of having limited mobility. An in home caregiver can help seniors who have physical challenges with housework, getting out shopping, and other activities to make it easier for them to be grateful for what they can do instead of focusing on things they can’t do.

Express Yourself to a Trustworthy Family Member or Friend

Holding negative thoughts inside can cause your stress levels to skyrocket. Therefore, seniors should connect with a family member or close friend and share thoughts and feelings with them. Opening up to another person in a calm and rational manner can help lower stress levels among older adults.

Stay Active

One of the best ways to manage stress during the holidays is to stay active. Encourage or join your senior loved one for a trip to the local gym or community center or join a group fitness class. Staying active can boost your levels of endorphins, which are chemicals that promote feelings of joy and happiness. Seniors who have trouble staying active because of the cold or snowy weather can get the exercise they need with the help of an in home caregiver.

Set Time for Yourself

With so much going on during the season, you may find that you don’t have any time for yourself. Taking time for yourself, even if it’s only a few minutes, can give you the opportunity to breathe and clear your mind. You can listen to your favorite song, get a massage, or participate in a hobby that makes you happy.

Set A Spending Budget

Spending can easily get out of control during the holiday season. Buying food and gifts can hinder your bank account and lead to financial stress. To prevent this type of stress, review your financial situation and decide on a realistic budget for gifts, food, and other miscellaneous holiday expenses. Sticking to this budget can keep you out of debt.

You and your elderly loved ones can enjoy a happier, less stressful holiday season by maintaining a regular routine, staying active and sticking to a holiday spending budget.

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.

Tips for Seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease

Senior Home Care for Alzheimers | In honor of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, Comfort Keepers of Calgary, AB recommends the following senior home care tips related to Alzheimer’s disease. Learn more about the common warning signs of this condition, as well as tips on how to have a conversation with your senior loved one about Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s can make it difficult for seniors to continue living on their own. Senior home care can help older adults stay safe at home and give family caregivers the break they need. If you have noticed these signs of Alzheimer’s in your loved one it’s important to get them evaluated by a doctor to see if they might have Alzheimer’s.

Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

Memory Loss: The most common and noticeable warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease is memory loss. If your older loved one has trouble recalling names, faces, places, and even the purpose of everyday objects such as a hairbrush or a pair of scissors, there may be something very wrong.

Frequent Misplacement of Items: Although people misplace items all the time, those with Alzheimer’s disease place items in inappropriate places. For example, a senior may place a salt shaker in the bathroom. If you notice this with your older loved one, they may have Alzheimer’s disease.

Depression: Several of the most common symptoms of depression include social withdrawal, a lost interest in hobbies, and strange sleeping patterns. If your senior loved one used to be very social and no longer accepts invitations to spend time with friends and family, they may be depressed and displaying a sign of Alzheimer’s disease.

Poor Judgment: Since dementia has a major effect on reasoning, older adults with Alzheimer’s may demonstrate poor judgment. They may completely neglect personal hygiene, say things that make no sense, or make irrational financial decisions. Senior home care providers can help ensure your loved one gets support with personal care tasks, meal preparation, medication reminders and much more.

How to Speak to Your Aging Loved One Senior Home Care for Alzheimers

Bringing up the topic of Alzheimer’s disease to your older loved one can be very difficult. Regardless of whether you need to tell them that they need to move, stop driving, or opt for home care services, you are likely worried about how they will react. Here are some great tips to ensure the conversation goes as smoothly as possible:

Schedule a Family Meeting: It’s a good idea to schedule a family meeting with you, your loved one, and other family members and close friends. This way, there is a time and a place for the conversation and your senior is surrounded by people they love and trust.

Avoid Downplaying the Disease: As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, you should be open about the implications of the condition. For example, if they can no longer drive or manage their finances, let them know this and provide them with a solution.

Allow Your Older Adult to Express Their Feelings: Your senior will likely express feelings of frustration, anger, and disappointment during this conversation. When they do so, be sure to respond with reassurance and love.

Make Every Effort to Reassure Your Senior: Reassuring an older adult is important when speaking to them about Alzheimer’s disease. You should let them know that you will be there for them to provide support and do whatever is necessary to improve their quality of life.

Write Up Answers to Potential Questions: You should anticipate the types of questions your older loved one may ask prior to having the conversation. Once you do, write up simple, easy-to-understand answers to these questions so you’ll know how to respond when they are asked.

Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help with Senior Home Care for Alzheimers

If you are concerned about the safety of your aging loved ones, especially in regard to fire, we can help. While it’s important to rely on the expertise of licensed professionals for certain precautions, we can provide home safety assessments and ensure your loved ones’ environment is safe.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.

Tips for Diabetes Management During the Holidays

Tips for Diabetes | Seniors who have diabetes don’t have to give up all the holiday foods they love during the holidays; however, they do need to take some extra steps to try and make sure that their blood sugar is stable and that they are taking care of themselves during this time. Because it’s Diabetes Awareness Month, Comfort Keepers of Calgary, AB has compiled a helpful list of home care tips for diabetes management during the holidays:

Search for Home Care & Diabetes Friendly Alternatives

It’s only natural that seniors with diabetes still want to eat all the foods they love during the holidays. After all most of those foods are only available once a year. The key for seniors with diabetes who want to enjoy all those classic holiday dishes is to find ways to make healthy substitutions in their usual recipes. Baking cookies and sweets with an artificial sweetener instead of sugar is one way to make holiday treats healthier for those with diabetes. Another is to substitute things like applesauce for butter in cookies and cakes.

Seniors who like to cook holiday dishes and sweets can get help figuring out healthy substitutions from a home care provider who can offer advice, help them cook and help them clean up after the holiday treats are made.

Tips for Diabetes

Exercise Regularly

Often times, diabetic seniors forget to exercise during the holiday season. This is unfortunate because working out on a regular basis during the holidays can help stabilize blood sugar and even offset the effects of a large meal. Some of the best exercises for older adults with diabetes include brisk walking outside or on a treadmill, water aerobics or swimming, bicycling, tai-chi, yoga, and stationary bicycling.

Get Enough Sleep

Due to the fact that the holiday season is filled with social gatherings, many seniors stay out later and don’t get enough sleep as a result. Since sleep loss can make it more difficult for them to control their blood sugar, and sleep deprivation almost always leads to overindulging in foods that are high in fat and sugar, it’s imperative that older adults get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every evening.

Refrain From Skipping Meals

Contrary to popular belief, it is not a good idea for older adults to skip meals in order to save up for a big holiday feast. By doing so, seniors will find it more challenging to control their blood sugar. They will likely be starving and more likely to overeat if they skip meals than they would if they eat a nutritious meal a few hours beforehand.

Limit Alcohol

Holiday gatherings almost always involve some type of alcohol. While it’s okay for seniors to have a drink or two, they should be careful not to overdrink as alcohol can reduce blood sugar levels and interact with diabetes medications. In the event that they do decide to drink, diabetic older adults should pair their alcohol with food. A home care giver can assist seniors who want to indulge in a little holiday drinking make sure that they get safely safe from holiday parties and events.

Sticking to a diabetes meal plan and healthy lifestyle choices can be tough when there are temptations and holiday gatherings that make it easy for seniors to splurge. The good news is it can be done when older adults make it a priority to look for diabetes friendly alternatives to traditional holiday dishes, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, avoid skipping meals, and limit their alcohol intake.

Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help with Tips for Diabetes

If you are concerned about the safety of your aging loved ones, especially in regard to fire, we can help. While it’s important to rely on the expertise of licensed professionals for certain precautions, we can provide home safety assessments and ensure your loved ones’ environment is safe.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.

Seasonal Precautions for Seniors this Winter

Winter Precautions for Seniors | Now that the warm summer days are behind us, it’s time for older adults to prepare for the winter months. By doing so, they can prevent common winter hazards and ensure an enjoyable season despite the ice, snow, and cold temperatures.

Here are several tips from providers of home care services that can help senior citizens stay safe and comfortable all winter long:

Dress Warm

While dressing warm during the winter may seem obvious, too many seniors fail to do so and suffer from frostbite and hypothermia as a result. To prevent these serious conditions, older adults should always wear a heavy winter coat as well as a hat, gloves, scarf and warm socks. Dressing warm can ensure that a senior’s body temperature never drops below 95 degrees.

Consume a Vitamin D Filled Diet

In the summer, most senior citizens get enough vitamin D because they are constantly outside in the sun. To make sure that they continue getting the vitamin D they need to build strong bones in the winter, older adults must fill their diet with foods that are fortified in Vitamin D. Some of these foods include tuna, salmon, mackerel, milk, beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks.

Seniors who are committed to living a safe and fulfilling life this winter should be extra cautious when they are around icy roads, dress warm, stay social to avoid depression, prepare for power outages, and consume a diet that’s full of vitamin D.

Be Extra Cautious on Ice

All too often, senior citizens slip and fall on roads and sidewalks that are loaded with ice and snow. These falls typically lead to serious injuries such as head trauma, lacerations, and wrist and hip fractures. While younger individuals can recover from these injuries quickly, seniors can take months and even years to get over them. In some cases, these injuries can even take an older adult’s life.

The good news is there are certain safety precautions older adults can take to reduce their risk of slipping, falling, and severely injuring themselves. Wearing comfortable shoes with non-skid soles and good traction, staying inside on days where the roadways are full of ice and snow, and removing shoes every time they return indoors can keep a senior safe from the snow and ice. Home care services can help with clearing snow and ice so that seniors can safely get outside in the winter. It’s also a good idea to have a caregiver accompany your senior loved one on shopping trips or running errands.

Avoid Winter Depression

Due to the fact that it can be challenging and dangerous to get from point A to point B in the winter, many older adults stay away from social activities and spend a significant amount of time at home during the winter months. When they do so, they often face feelings and isolation.

In order to avoid winter depression, older adults should arrange a daily check in with a trustworthy family member or friend, search for dependable transportation options, and make it a priority to stay informed on family outings and other social activities.

Prepare for Power Outages

Winter snowstorms may leave senior citizens with no power. To prepare for power outages, older adults should make sure they have easy access to flashlights, warm blankets, and a battery-powered radio. In the event that the power does go out, they should dress themselves in a few layers of clothing and move around their home to increase their body temperature.

If your senior loved one in Calgary, AB needs a little extra help dealing with the winter cold and snow call use today to find out more about home care services and how they can help seniors stay safe and happy at home during the winter.

Elderly Care and Breast Cancer | Since aging can lead to an increased risk of abnormal changes in the cells, older women are more likely to develop breast cancer; therefore, seniors should make every effort to visit their healthcare provider for a screening this October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Early detection is key to successfully treating breast cancer, and adult women who make it a priority to go to the doctor for an annual screening can save their life. Let’s take a closer look at some of the risk factors of breast cancer, as well as what can be expected during a screening, treatment options and elderly care services available in Calgary, AB.

Become Familiar with the Risk Factors

Research has proven that there are several primary risk factors that can increase a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer. These risk factors include age, adolescent weight gain, no pregnancy or late pregnancy, late menopause, post-menopausal weight gain, increased breast tissue density, chest radiation as a child, and a long-term use of oral contraceptives. It’s important to note that although these are risk factors, the majority of senior woman with one or more of these risk factors do not get breast cancer.

What to Expect From a Screening

Senior women who get an annual screening will do so through a mammogram, an X-ray of the breast that can detect cancer before any physical symptoms such as a lump or pain arise. The mammogram will be performed in a private room with an X-ray technician who will provide an older woman with a gown to wear.

The technician will place each of the woman’s breasts between two plastic plates. Although this procedure may be uncomfortable, it is essential as it allows the breast tissue to spread and flatten so that a clear image of the breast can be created. Some seniors find having a caregiver go with them makes the procedure easier and more comfortable.

If the mammogram does not reveal any issues, senior women can expect to receive a letter within 30 days of the procedure informing them that their results were normal. However, if doctors locate something suspicious, they will call them back within 5 days to perform further testing.

Elderly Care and Breast Cancer: In Home Care Available in Calgary, AB

In the event that breast cancer is detected, a medical team will determine its stage and design an appropriate treatment plan. Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy are four of the most common breast cancer treatments. A senior woman’s stage, clinical history, and preferences are all taken into consideration before a treatment is prescribed. Professional in home elderly care is a great solution for senior women in need of assistance with personal care tasks, light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication management and other care services at home.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.

Tips for Coping with Sundown Syndrome

Coping with Sundown Syndrome | Are you a caregiver for a senior loved one that is dealing with Alzheimer’s disease? In honor of World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month this September, Comfort Keepers of Calgary, AB is proud to provide tips on dealing with one of the most common problems associated with this disease.

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are degenerative diseases. As a memory illness progresses and a senior’s memory fades, the symptoms they present change. Sundown syndrome, also known as sundowning, is a symptom of Alzheimer’s that occurs in the middle stages of the disease. The sleep disruption, confusion, and behavioral changes that come with sundowning can be overwhelming for family caregivers. Below are some tips for coping with sundown syndrome and other Alzheimer’s symptoms:

Recognize the Signs

Sundown syndrome, or sundowning, received its name because it’s symptoms typically occur in the late afternoon or evening. Alzheimer’s symptoms such as confusion are exacerbated by the end-of-day physical and mental exhaustion. According to the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center, as many as 20% of seniors with Alzheimer’s will experience increased anxiety, confusion, and agitation late in the day. Being able to recognize sundowning and other Alzheimer’s symptoms is the first step in providing proper dementia care.

Manage Triggers to Create a Safe Environment

Poor lighting and shadows often increase confusion and anxiety with seniors experiencing sundowning. Keep the home well-lit in the evenings to help your loved one recognize their surroundings and that they are safe.

Since exhaustion contributes to Alzheimer’s symptoms, make a comfortable and safe sleep environment. Sticking to a sleep schedule and avoiding mental stimulants like caffeine, sugar, or watching television before bed are also helpful.

Know When to Look For Help

Even when you are able to identify Alzheimer’s symptoms and the negative effects of things like sundowning, there may come a time where professional help becomes necessary. Professional caregivers and senior living facilities specially trained in memory care may be better suited to care for your loved one. What is most important to know when coping with memory illnesses is that you are never alone.

To learn more about how your or your senior loved one could benefit from having a professional in home caregiver, contact us or call 587-315-5388 and schedule a free in-home consultation.