If you’re someone who provides care to one or more other people, getting respite care can be healthy for you, and beneficial for both yourself and the people you care for. You can leave on a short-term basis and come back, which will help you feel more refreshed. It also helps to maintain and support your primary caregiving relationship between you and the person or people you care for who may need help.

Respite care services that are available will make sure that the person you’re caring for still has the assistance they need, even if you won’t be available to help them.

Qualifications for Respite Care

There’s not much you need to be qualified for respite care – simply providing care for someone else and wanting to take a break or have a few hours to yourself can make you eligible for respite care, as it was designed for families and home caregivers.

There aren’t any specific hurdles or paperwork you will need to go through, except for finding the type of respite care that works well for you, your loved ones and your financial situation.

Types of Respite Care

There’s many different types of respite care. It can be available in the home, outside of the home, in group homes or even from the community.

In-home care

With in-home respite care, a different caregiver will be able to come to the home to take care of the people who need assistance. They will learn about the kind of environment that is most comfortable in the home and what the daily routines are.

Home care services can be more casual, as you may be able to get a family member or friend to take your place for a little while. Alternatively, there are still professional services such as health care aides available to help you take the break you need.

Adult day centres

Adult day programs are another good option, especially if you would like to take a break for a few hours or a day at a time. These programs at local centres will also be beneficial for the person you care for as they offer many different activities and exercise sessions to help keep people healthy.

It may allow them to explore something fun and have experiences they may not usually have in their day to day lives, which will help them feel content and motivated while you’re gone.

Short-term assisted living

If the break you’re taking is a bit longer, such as up to a few weeks, there are some care centres (like assisted living facilities) that will offer short-term accommodation for respite care. It may be called short-term assisted living or residential respite care.

They will be provided not just with accommodation, but also nutritious meals, activities and health care aides or nurses depending on the type of facility it is and what it has to offer.

The Cost of Respite Care

Depending on what kind of respite care you choose, the amount and the time you pay for can vary. It may be by days or weeks the service has been provided, or by the hour. Some adult day programs may have a single flat fee for the day.

There’s many considerations that can go into the cost of the type of care that you choose, so there’s no exact range of what you might be paying, as it depends heavily on your unique time and circumstances, and the type of care that your loved one needs.

For many places, you may need to inquire directly about your specific needs and ask for a quote based on that. Once you’re able to get a consultation, you can have a better idea of what you might be paying, and whether or not that’s a viable option for you.

In Alberta, there are a variety of options for respite care and you may be eligible to send your receipts back to Alberta Seniors Benefit to help alleviate some of the cost. There are also many options for staying in a care home in and around the Calgary area.

If you would prefer home care, Alivio Care offers services such as companion care and assisted daily living, to help your loved one get the help they need in the comfort of their home.

Getting Respite Care

While respite care is short-term, you can take as long as you need, whether that’s just a few hours up to a few weeks, depending on your circumstances.

Many caregivers may feel guilty leaving their loved ones with another caregiver or at another facility, but sometimes it can be a real necessity for the betterment of everyone’s lives and health. Time away from the person you care for can also help both parties involved, allowing them to better appreciate the time they have together.

For more information, you can learn about what to consider when choosing a home care provider or self care tips to make home care better.

Home health care professionals are trained to provide medical support to patients and are also trained to communicate effectively with the client’s family members and doctors. 

If you are interested in home health care, this article looks into how it works to help those who are considering this service, by expanding on the following topics:

• How can home health care help you?
• What services does home health care provide?
• What services are not included in home health care?

How Can Home Health Care Help You?

Home health care refers to healthcare delivered at home. Depending on a person’s health, light to comprehensive medical care is provided to customers who need ongoing treatment. This allows patients not constantly to travel to medical appointments. Nurses ensure patients take medications and continue treatment as per the doctor’s instructions. 

What Services Does Home Health Care Provide?

Home health care providers offer in-home medical services. Working with home care centres that have multiple services allows you to easily switch from one service to another without the hassle of looking for another provider. Keep an eye out for the following services commonly used by customers:

• Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support: This care provides you with nurses or caregivers who are qualified to assist people with Dementia or Alzheimer’s in their day-to-day lives. 
• Hospice and Palliative Care: This service looks into the individual needs of clients to curate an effective care plan, which can also address concerns of clients living with a life-limiting illness.
• Nursing: This service is open to individuals in need of nurses who perform wound care, hearing loss care, brain injury treatment and more. 
• Post-Rehabilitative Support: This service aids those who have suffered a serious accident, injury or illness that resulted in the need of short or long-term rehabilitation.

What Services Are Not Included In Home Health Care?

Many home care services are not a part of home health care. While home health care focuses on medically necessary services, home care focuses on personal assistance or services designed to aid the different challenges common among seniors and people with disabilities. 

Some examples of these challenges are travelling to medical appointments, remembering to take medications or doing day-to-day activities like cooking, bathing, cleaning and more. However, living life should not be so challenging. With a family member, friend, nurse or companion, seniors and people with disabilities can focus on what matters most to them. Some examples of home care services are the following:

• Companion Care: Along with doing daily tasks, companion care provides emotional support to those experiencing the effects of social isolation.
• Respite Care: This service provides relief to the primary caregivers of the client by taking on the responsibilities of caring for their loved one. 
• Assisted Daily Living: This service can help anyone who requires an extra hand with carrying out basic activities like household tasks, grooming, grocery shopping and more.

There are multiple qualities that make a good nursing home care provider. If you are interested in home care, discover how it can help you in the long run. Want to speak with home care personnel for more personal questions, contact a care provider today.  

• Being a condition of Alzheimer’s disease: Dementia in Alzheimer’s is caused by clumps of protein called plaques and fibrous tangles in the brain. 
• Having Lewy bodies: Dementia which is also caused by clumps of protein, in the cortex. Additional symptoms of Lewy bodies can be sleep deprivation and hallucination. 
• Vascular dementia: This is when there is harm or damage done to the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. It can also damage the fibers of the brain. 
• Traumatic brain injury: You may suffer from this if you have had repetitive trauma to the head, with multiple incidents. It is possible that this may cause dementia later in life. 
• Parkinson’s disease: Those who have Parkinson’s may eventually develop dementia, this is specific and is known as Parkinson’s disease dementia. 

As we get older, suffering from dementia might be a condition that some of us have to deal with. Dementia, however, is not a normal occurrence or a symptom of old age. It is abnormal and must be treated medically as such. 

Symptoms of dementia

If you think that you or a family member may be experiencing dementia, there are some common things to watch out for. Early signs may not be completely obvious, so they may be harder to single out and determine. 

A few of these signifiers can include memory loss, confusion with time or place, difficulty problem solving, issues doing everyday tasks, problems in speaking or writing, or trouble understanding visual images. 

The stages of dementia

There are stages to dementia, which can depend on what the underlying cause of the dementia is. Some types of dementia can be reversible, and it depends on the individual how fast dementia progresses. For some people, dementia can progress very quickly, while for others, it may take a long time. 

In general, there are various stages of dementia: 

• No impairment: Dementia may show up on a medical exam, but the person is not experiencing any symptoms or mental decline.
• Very mild to mild decline: A person with dementia may experience a few changes in behaviour such as becoming more quiet or withdrawn, and experiencing memory loss such as forgetting where things are or not remembering recent events. At this stage, they are still independent. 
• Moderate to moderately severe decline: They may start to be confused or have poor judgement. There’s an increase in memory loss and needing help with daily tasks. On the greater end, they will start to forget names of their loved ones or be confused about dates or times. As well, they may have significant personality changes and issues in sleep patterns. At this stage, they will need some assistance in their activities of daily living. 
• Severe decline to very severe decline: They will need help with the simplest day to day tasks and taking care of their hygiene. Eventually they will not be able to communicate their thoughts. They will also suffer physically and will not be able to walk, sit, or hold their head up, spending most of their days in bed. At this stage they will need full-time assistance with living. 

Reversible and non-reversible dementia 

Some conditions may allow for dementia or similar symptoms to develop, but they can be reversed. Dementia that is caused by infections or immune disorders, nutritional deficiencies (such as dehydration and low vitamins), metabolic problems (such as thyroid problems, low blood sugar) and certain medication side-effects are not permanent and can be reversed. 

Meanwhile, dementia caused by diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, Creutzfeldt-Jakob’s, are progressive and cannot be reversed. As well as vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia and mixed dementia. 

Dementia varies significantly in all of these conditions, including when the symptoms develop, what they are, and at what point they can become severe. Each individual who has dementia will have a unique progression rate. 

Moving forward with dementia 

While there is no cure for non-reversible types of dementia, getting a diagnosis at an early stage is helpful so you can plan for the future accordingly. If you wish, you may also be able to participate in clinical trials, which will help to develop new treatments. 

Alivio Care offers Alzheimer’s and Dementia services, allowing you or your loved one to get the supportive home care that they need, as well as other assisted daily living services. 

1. Memory enhancement
2. Improve your mood
3. Boost your motivation
4. Reduce feelings of pain 
5. Opportunity to connect with others 

Memory Enhancement

Research shows that listening to classical music improves both semantic and episodic memory among seniors with an average age of 69 years old. Episodic memory comprises a person’s ability to recall past experiences while semantic memory involves the recollection of facts, ideas and concepts, also known as general knowledge. 

As if that’s not good enough, classical music also helps your brain’s ability to process information faster. All of these improvements linked to classical music were not seen when participants were listening to white noise or no music at all. 

Improve Your Mood

It is no secret that music can impact your mood, making it an ideal resource for seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. According to Bria Communities for seniors, “when someone is frustrated or agitated, playing a soothing song can ease the tension and calm them down.”

“Singing, dancing and rhythm play can stimulate the mind and keep seniors active and engaged.”

Music increases the positive emotions you experience by stimulating hits of dopamine. It also prevents increases in a person’s heart rate, blood pressure and can decrease cortisol levels, all of which are good ingredients to reduce stress and anxiety. 

Boost Your Motivation

No matter how old you get, it is important to stay active. This means we must find motivation to keep moving. There’s a reason why many wear earphones in the gym. 

In a study on the effects of synchronous music during exercise, researchers found that music helped participants exercise longer, and that motivational music helped more. Regardless, participants who listened to non-motivational music exercised longer than those who listened to no music at all. 

For seniors, keeping up with general recommended levels of physical activity can be difficult. Therefore, music is a very beneficial resource to help keep you motivated at all times. 

Reduce Feelings Of Pain

In a 2013 study on the impact of music on people experiencing the painful effects of Fibromyalgia, researchers found that participants who listened to music once a day for four weeks experienced less pain and depressive symptoms. 

In another study on the effects of music on patients receiving spine surgery, participants reported experiencing significantly less pain after listening to whatever music they like on the evening before surgery until the second day after.  

It is common for seniors to experience pain due to medical conditions, accidents or after a long day’s work. Music can come in handy whenever you experience unease or body discomfort as a result of physical exertion, illness or more. 

Opportunity To Connect With Others

At the very least, finding music you love can be fun and something you share with the people you love. Ask others what music they love to listen to or better yet, explore what types of music help you meditate, exercise or focus on a task at hand.  

Music also doesn’t have to be enjoyed in solitude. You may use it to connect with others. Check in with your healthcare companion to learn about the types of music that help them get through their day, or visit any local gatherings or music shows with the people you’d like to spend more time with. 

There are many ways you can help the people you love, and music is just one of them. If you have a loved one in need of care, there are many care programs available to help you.  

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the world’s population over the age of 60 will nearly double from 12 per cent in 2015 to 22 per cent in 2050. Fifteen per cent of that population, as of December 2017, were already suffering from a mental disorder. 

This article discusses 5 mental health issues that are common among elderly adults:

1. Depression
2. Bipolar Disorder 
3. Schizophrenia 
4. Anxiety Disorder 
5. Eating Disorder

1. Depression

“Depression is both underdiagnosed and undertreated in primary care settings,” according to WHO. It is also the most common mental disorder among seniors, which can be caused by social isolation or be a symptom of dementia. 

That’s when programs like Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support or Companion Care become beneficial to aid the emotional, mental and physical well-being of seniors experiencing this condition. 

In a situation when an elder feels alone, it is important to remember that not only is a companion needed but a friend. People can still feel alone even if they are surrounded by others, but even one confidant or source of support can make the difference in how a person feels or sees themselves. Family members or the client themself should be open to choosing who they’d like to work with and must be open to making changes if they don’t feel comfortable with their companion, nurse or caregiver. 

2. Bipolar Disorder

Late-onset bipolar can be difficult to diagnose due to its similarities to dementia. Its symptoms can include manic behaviour, delusions, confusion, hyperactivity, psychosis, agitation and cognitive issues like memory problems, loss of judgment and perception. 

Since these symptoms are also commonly experienced when someone ages, it makes it a difficult condition to diagnose and can usually be misdiagnosed among the elder population. 

3. Schizophrenia 

Late-onset schizophrenia also has symptoms similar to dementia like hallucinations and paranoia, and can be experienced by adults after the age of 45.  

Schizophrenia, however, can still occur at any age and currently affects 20 million people worldwide. This chronic and severe mental disorder is characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self and behaviour, according to WHO. Common experiences include hallucinations, hearing voices and having delusions — fixed, false beliefs. 

People with schizophrenia are two to three times more likely to die early due to physical diseases like cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease or an infection, all of which are preventable. 

Schizophrenia is a treatable condition, and that’s the good news, as medicines and psychosocial support have been seen to be effective treatments. Assisted living, supported housing and employment are some effective ways to manage living with schizophrenia. 

It is unfortunate that stigma and discrimination are common experiences of people living with this condition. It makes it even more important to find the right care, companion and support for those that are vulnerable to discriminatory behaviour. 

4. Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety is a very common disorder among the elderly, similar to depression. In fact, according to the CDC, nearly half of older adults with anxiety also suffer from depression. 

Although anxiety disorder is linked to multiple factors like sleeping problems, poor health, medical side effects, alcohol abuse, drugs, physical impairments, stress, trauma and more. General anxiety disorder is all about consistent worry or fear which progressively gets worse over time. Here are some symptoms to look out for:

• Excessive worry
• Nervousness
• Chronic fatigue
• Irritability 
• Poor sleep quality 

These symptoms can affect how a person socializes, works and performs daily activities. It is important for elders to seek home care, medical or emotional support or even therapy, if possible, to prevent the worsening of this condition. 

5. Eating Disorder

Bulimia and anorexia nervosa are common eating disorders that can prevail among seniors. Behaviours and psychological issues that worsen these conditions can go undetected, making it even more dangerous. Here are some symptoms to look out for:

• Weight fluctuations
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of appetite 
• Chronic dizziness
• Use of laxatives
• Slow healing 
• Memory deficits

If family members no longer live in close proximity to an elder or if an elder requires supervision or assistance in their day-to-day life, it is important to give them access to meaningful resources. Home care continues to be a solution families turn to as it takes away the effort of seeking care from the client and brings the care straight to their homes. 

If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health, please call 1-877-303-2642 (toll free) if you reside within Alberta. The mental health crisis telephone line 902-429-8167 is also available for all Canadians. 

While in some ways they are similar to assisted living facilities, the key difference between them is that unlike assisted living facilities, independent living communities offer no medical care or assistance with personal care such as bathing and hygiene. 

What is independent senior living? 

Independent living is essentially any housing structure or arrangement that’s especially designed for older adults, about 55 years of age or older. The style of the living community can range from living in apartments to detached single-family homes. 

In independent senior living, you don’t have to worry about the chores of the house or the yard, you generally have that taken care of for you. Most will provide housekeeping services, laundry services and prepare three meals a day for all the residents. 

Other terms for it include senior living communities, independent living communities, or simply retirement homes. Retirement homes and independent living are often interchangeable. 

What independent senior living offers

Independent senior living communities can offer a wide variety of services and amenities, which can include things such as recreational centers for activities such as sports, arts and crafts, and event halls. The area can also have tennis courts, swimming pools, golf clubs and other fitness facilities. 

Other services can include beauty and hair salons, spas, movie theatres, courtyard gardens, libraries and more. There’s also security on the premises for added piece of mind. In addition, they may offer transportation services, planned trips, and other outings. While they do not provide medical services, some senior living places will have pharmacies on site. 

If you enjoy activities like cooking and gardening, you don’t have to give them up. Your living space will still come with a kitchen, and you can still spend time in a garden.

Benefits of independent living communities 

There’s many benefits to living in such an accommodation. In addition to the factors stated above, these benefits can include: 

• Not having to worry about doing menial tasks like home maintenance
• Services and activities that promote healthy lifestyles and aging well
• Ability to explore new hobbies, meet new people, and make new friends
• Many social opportunities which minimizes the risk of social isolation, which also decreases the risk of other mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety
• Will make your life easier and prolong your independence by decreasing unnecessary work in your life and allowing you to focus on your own wellness 

These are all aspects that will enhance your health and wellbeing as you grow older, and help you increase your overall satisfaction with life. 

The cost of independent living 

How much you pay to live there can depend on the size of the house or unit that you’re in, how many bedrooms there are, and what kind of overall facilities and services the independent living space offers. Typically, the amount you will pay is all-inclusive. It’s important to do your research on which independent senior living community is the best for you, and look into their specific prices. 

On average, if you live in a one-bedroom space in Alberta, the cost can average around $3,500 for the monthly fee. For a two-bedroom space, the average is around $4,500. While other living facilities might have the option of subsidizing the cost through the government, the same is not necessarily true for independent senior living. However, you can still get other forms of financial help that can assist you in paying for it. 

Is independent senior living right for you?

If you don’t need any medical assistance and can generally take care of yourself, then independent senior living could be the right option for you. Assess your health and determine whether you need help with anything — whether that’s mobility, taking your medicine, or needing memory care. 

If you find that you do need help, you may want to consider a different living environment that can provide you with the senior care services you need, such as assisted living communities, nursing homes, getting home care or other options. However, if you still wish to pursue independent living, some independent living communities will allow you to hire outside aid for help. 

Taking the next steps

Making the decision to move from your current home to a living facility can be a drastic change, but know that independent senior living can give you the opportunity to enjoy your retirement as much as possible.

As a happy and healthy individual or couple, you as well as a spouse can take control of your future to make sure you can live happily and healthily for as long as possible.

There are a few things you can do to start planning your retirement. In this blog we’ll talk about aspects of planning your retirement which include saving and sorting your finances, setting realistic goals, and knowing when you want to retire. 

Start saving and determine your finances

No matter what your age; start saving for retirement. Retirement can last you anywhere from two to three decades, so you’ll need to be financially prepared for that time frame. The younger you are when you start saving, the better. But even if you’re aged 45, 50, or older, you still have a decent amount of years to start saving that will help you out in your future. The earlier that you can start putting money in your savings accounts, the more potential there is for that money to grow. 

Look into where you might be able to get money for your retirement. This could be public pensions like the Canada Pension Plan, pensions that you can get from your employer, Old Age Benefit, investment accounts like RRSP, TFSA and more. If you’re feeling lost, you can find resources online or speak with a financial advisor at your bank.

Depending on your situation and desires, there are also many people in Canada who still choose to work even after they apply for retirement, which also helps on the monetary side. Once you know more or less about what your money will look like, you can then start budgeting for those years in the long term.

Another important thing to consider is getting rid of all your debts, if you have any. Debts – especially credit card debts – can eat away at your ability to properly save and execute your financial plan the way you want. Pay them off as quickly as you can so you have room to start investing in yourself rather than having to give away money in interest. 

Set your retirement goals

Think about what you want to do and how you want to live your retired life. Maybe you want to downsize your home, or organize another living option for you and your spouse — or you want to do something fun like spending your time travelling or purchasing a boat. Setting your retirement goals will make the rest of your plan fall into place in order to achieve those goals. 

Even after retirement, some people like to work part-time jobs or spend their time volunteering or doing other activities. This would be something to consider to help you stay active and healthy, and might help if you want to have a bit more money. Have a clear idea of what you want your retirement to look like, and how you can live as stress-free as possible during those years. What would be the best course of action for you?

Make your goals realistic. Assess your situation and then determine what retirement will look like for you. You may need to consider health problems that you have as well when figuring out what your retirement goals are — and find proper care for that.

Once you’ve assessed your situation, make practical decisions and goals based on what you know and what you have. This will make the process easier for you and leave little room for disappointment when you do retire and it’s not what you envisioned. With a little bit of planning, you can have the relaxed retirement years that you deserve and are happy with.

Know when you want to retire 

Setting a retirement age is key because that is the goal that your whole retirement plan will be catered towards. You will have to plan accordingly. It will help you determine how many potential years you will spend in retirement, how much money you will need to have, and how you will want to spend those years of your life. It will also help sort out what kind of actions you need to take for your retirement, whether you have to do them immediately or you have some flexibility to do them later (such as opening savings accounts). 

Of course life may change course and you may end up retiring earlier or later than you anticipated, but it’s still good to have a specific idea of when you want to retire — for example, 65, which is the standard age of retirement in Canada, but you can also retire earlier or later as you please (making sure that age is the right time for you, of course).

If you have children, they will also factor into this decision. Some people have kids earlier and some have them later in life. You may need to consider the age of your children when you retire — will they be old enough to take care of themselves? Ideally you would want them to at least be young adults by that time, but again this varies on your unique situation. Think about any other dependents you might have and how you can arrange for them as well. 

Taking the steps

We hope this blog will help you take the first steps to planning your retirement. These steps can be considered the foundation of retirement planning, so you know what to look for and what you should think about in your retirement situation — and then from there, take all the necessary steps that you need to ensure you can retire on time and happily. Everyone’s retirement situation is different, but these steps can help you determine what you need to make your retirement as smooth as possible. 

There is no doubt that retirement planning will take a lot of time and effort, but once you hit retirement, you will be happy that you did it and that you’ll have the piece of mind going forward. For more information on health planning, you can check out our blog.

But just like any home care service, picking the right plan or nursing companion can be an exhaustive process because being responsible for you or your loved one’s care is a big responsibility. However, with the right information, it can become a rewarding experience. 

This article discusses the different aspects of in-home nursing and what to look out for when searching for an in-home nursing provider:

• What is a home care nursing service?
• Why is in-home nursing necessary?
• Qualities of a good nursing home care provider 

What Is A Home Care Nursing Service?

From the name itself, home care nursing services allow qualified, registered nurses to take care of you at the comfort of your home. But home care services are not just limited to nursing. Companion care and assisted daily living are common types of home care used by individuals who don’t need special medical attention but require a helping hand to conveniently live independently. On the other hand, services like Alzheimer’s and Dementia support, post-rehabilitative support and nursing, to name a few, are designed to meet the specific medical needs of an individual. 

Although the elderly are the primary users of home care services, the Canadian Home Care Association recorded that 20 to 30 per cent of home care service users are above the age of 21 while children represent 10 per cent of home care clients. The majority 60 to 70 per cent of clients are aged 65 and over, as cited in a 2013 Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) report. 

Why Is In-Home Nursing Necessary?

In 2012, Statistics Canada reported that “life expectancy in Canada is one of the highest in the world” and is expected to grow, according to the CNA report. Seniors are expected to comprise 25 per cent of the Canadian population by 2036, and by 2056, about one in 10 Canadians will be 80 years old or older. In 2005, that was only one in 30. 

With the expected increase of the senior population, it would be difficult to have most seniors regularly visit a hospital or live in a nursing home. This makes home care a necessary service to balance the increasing demand for space and medical attention within healthcare facilities. 

The increase of chronic conditions among seniors is another condition healthcare professionals are aware of. In Canada, 41 per cent of seniors are diagnosed with at least two chronic conditions, more commonly diabetes, heart disease, respiratory issues, depression and a decline in physical or cognitive functioning. The total number of Canadians with disabilities is also expected to grow from 4.5 million in 2006 to between 6.4 and 7.1 million in 2031. 

The increasing need for specialized medical attention may not just require more general healthcare workers, but may need more trained doctors and registered nurses to be available in healthcare facilities and home care services. 

Qualities Of A Good Nursing Home Care Provider 

There are multiple things to look into when considering an in-home nursing plan. Here are some important factors we’d like you to consider:

• Qualifications: You’re not looking for a caregiver or companion, rather a Registered Nurse (RN) who is comfortable working with your medical needs. Doctors are not the only ones who have specialized medical degrees, nurses can be certified for specialized medical practices like hospice palliative care, pediatrics, rehabilitation and more. Having around a nurse who is not only experienced but also certified to treat a condition like yours will not only make you comfortable, but will also allow your family to trust the care you receive. 
• Good chemistry: Having a good relationship with your nurse may not be necessary if you don’t have regular hospital appointments with the same nurse. But if you are spending a lot of time at home with your nursing companion, it may be best to get to know one another. Home care services provide you the opportunity to not just gain medical attention, but to also emotionally and mentally connect with someone who could be your friend. This is especially beneficial for clients who need hospice and palliative care to help them cope with a life-limiting illness. It is important for many home care clients to know that the need for general aid or medical assistance is normal and not something to be dreaded, but rather an opportunity to take care of yourself and be taken care of. 
• Flexible plans: Similar to how the status of your health evolves, your care plan should too. Therefore, be sure to seek out providers that offer adaptable nursing plans. This means the specifications for your care, including the time a nursing companion stays with you and their tasks for the day will change to meet your health needs.  
• Aim to meet your needs: When you have a good relationship with your nursing companion and a flexible care plan, you will be more comfortable communicating your ever-evolving needs that may or may not include your medical needs. There are many things that impact your health outside of medications, treatment or therapy. Making positive lifestyle changes is not something you have to do alone, rather something you can discuss with your companion and find ways to work into your daily routine. 
• Trial periods: If your provider is flexible enough to provide you with a trial period for either their services or will give you the option to change your companion if things don’t work out, consider that a good bonus. It’s sometimes hard to commit to something as life-changing as home care that it becomes important to have a provider who understands that you have to ease your way into a home care plan or program. 

There are many benefits to home care and a number of ways for you to enhance your experience with this service. Get to know more about the different types of home care and how it can help you. 

One of the most important things to consider when first figuring out how to care for an elder loved one is assessing how much help they truly need. They might have some minor to severe mobility issues or chronic mental or physical problems that they’re dealing with.

Start by having a conversation with them and observe them to figure out what they struggle with the most: Can they do household tasks by themselves? Are they forgetful? Are there any immediate risks involved? Would they need round the clock assistance or only occasionally, with specific tasks?

Regardless of what their challenges are, there’s different things you can do and different types of care that can be provided to them based on their situation and their needs. Here, we’ll go through some of the things that you can do to assist your elderly loved one.

Provide Home Care

Depending on the wishes of yourself and your loved one, you can either provide care yourself if it’s viable, or arrange for outside services to help such as a health care aide or other senior care. Many elders prefer to have their own space, so providing care in their homes is often ideal for them. If it is absolutely necessary, they may need or want to go to a care facility.

There’s many considerations that go into providing home care, with various things that you can do. Some of these include:

• Making sure they are getting three fresh, nutritious meals a day
• Providing help with daily activities such as household chores, grocery shopping, and personal hygiene
• Giving them attention and companionship to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation from others
• Installing safety features in the home such as handlebars in the shower, ramps or stair climbers, and non-slip flooring
• Reminding them to take their medications on time, or assist them if they are unable to take the medication themselves

Home care is essential because it provides them with the absolute basic needs that are crucial to survival. Once these are taken care of, it can relieve some anxiety that the elder in your life may associate with having to do these tasks. It can also free up much of their time so they can dedicate it to doing the things that truly matter to them.

Exercise or do other fun activities together

Get outside with them, whether it’s hiking, taking a brisk walk, cycling or other activities. You can also give them resources to get some physical activity indoors for times when the weather is bad or they cannot get out for other reasons. This could be as simple as sending them YouTube videos for basic things they can do in their living room.

It is recommended that older adults get 150 minutes of moderate exercise every day. If they have some companionship in this routine, they will feel happier and more refreshed. Doing activities together will also give your loved one the motivation to stay active and engaged, something that can often be lost with age.

Many elderly people struggle with isolation, so the more you can involve them in family activities or the community, the healthier they will be. Maybe your elderly loved one enjoys gardening, baking, card games or other activities. Talk to them about what they would like to do and what they’re capable of, and then create a schedule together that works for both of you.

Make sure they are financially set

Your elder loved one might run into financial issues. Perhaps they don’t have a lot of retirement funds that they can rely on or savings that could help them. Maybe they cannot or forget to pay their credit card bills along with other things they might owe. This is a problem that elderly people can often encounter, giving them added stress and anxiety.

If you are able to support your loved one entirely or with a few things financially, that is a wonderful thing. Whether or not you can lend a helping hand in this case, you can still find government and private benefits programs that your elder loved one might be eligible for. In Canada, there’s programs like Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement to offer financial assistance.

One of the best things that you can do for them is to help them find and apply for these kinds of benefits. Elderly people can often struggle with forms, comprehension, and application submission, especially if English is not their first language or they struggle with computers and do not know how to access them online. Even submitting paper forms can sometimes be tedious work for elders, so it is in their best interest to have some assistance with this.

Communicate with them and encourage independence

This is often overlooked, but maintaining the maximum amount of independence possible is a key factor in elder care. Elders need to be as autonomous as possible so they can feel like they are still their own person and don’t have to compromise on their dignity. Little to no independence can have a significant impact on their mental health, possibly causing depression and isolation.

As well, you should make an effort to communicate with them by having engaging conversations and also discussing necessary matters. It makes them feel heard, valued, and is important so that they don’t feel as if they are being a burden to anybody else. You might have good intentions when you make certain decisions for them, but be proactive to ask instead of tell. Listen to their opinions and what they want for themselves and incorporate that into the decision-making process.

How these will improve their livelihoods

These actions can drastically increase the quality of life for the elder who’s close to you. There’s chances they will be more satisfied with most aspects of their life and look forward to living every day the best they can. It will also free up time for them to do the things they love, and they may be encouraged to adventure or try something new.

You personally may even notice that they might be more optimistic, content, and healthier. Taking care of their wellbeing or providing them with the resources to do so will allow them to thrive in their later years and relieve any stressors for a more blissful experience down the road.

To learn more you can read about 5 ways home care improves mental health as well as discovering the impact that getting care can have.

This article discusses the following topics to expand on the importance of changing the culture of long term care and the value of person-centred care:

• The toxic history of nursing homes
• Call For Change: The transition to person-centred care
• Home Care: How is it person-centred care?

The Toxic History Of Nursing Homes

Elder abuse and neglect within nursing homes was the focus of a 2020 study found in the National Library of Medicine website, where researchers found it to be an overlooked patient safety issue.  

The study that interviewed 28 nursing home leaders found that elder abuse could be separated by source: co-residents, family members and staff. While abuse from family members visiting nursing homes was seen as ‘a private affair,’ abuse from co-residents and direct-care staff were viewed as “normal” and “unthinkable,” respectively. 

The abuse of staff members to residents was also considered “difficult to talk about and viewed as not being in accordance with the leaders’ trust in their employees,” according to the results of the study. 

However, reports of abuse and neglect within nursing homes are nothing new. In fact, nursing homes have been seen as places to be feared for decades. In a 1997 Journal of the American Geriatrics Society article, authors found that more than half of hospitalized adults preferred death rather than living permanently in a nursing home. 

Call For Change: The Transition To Person-Centred Care 

The culture change movement in long-term care aims to improve the quality of life for residents in nursing homes, however, no solid definition exists as to what it is and how it works, states Professor Laci Cornelison in her 2016 study of the possible transition to person-centred care. 

Person-centred care is the key practice within the culture change movement, and is very different from the traditional care system used within nursing homes.

[chart credit to pioneernetwork.com]

Person-centred care benefits all residents, especially those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia  who may find it difficult to talk about what they want, need and don’t like. Having a consistent health care aide, or registered nurse, around not only increases the level of comfort a patient feels around their companion, but allows their companion to deeply understand the body language, behaviour, symptoms of a patient, the concerns of family members and doctors, enabling them to provide more accurate observations and care due to the deep bond they establish with patients or clients. 

Home Care: How Is It Person-Centred Care?

Home care is a professional service that helps people live independently and safely within their own homes, and is mainly utilized by the elderly or individuals who need assistance in their day-to-day activities. 

Unlike nursing homes, seniors don’t need to relocate to be cared for, but rather it is the caregiver or the nurse’s responsibility to provide care in accordance to the client and their family’s requests or their doctor’s recommendations. Home care professionals also communicate health observations and progress reports to the client’s team of medical professionals or their family members. 

As multiple residents of nursing homes were being tested on the effects of transitioning to a home-like atmosphere and person-centred care model, researchers recorded that a greater psychosocial wellbeing was achieved and that the household model helped create a sanctuary for residents to lead meaningful lives. 

While person-centred care and a home-like atmosphere are necessary components of home care and have been successful in several trials within nursing homes, many nursing homes have not adapted to the new care model. During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, multiple reports of patient neglect within nursing homes have come out bringing the trust in long term care facilities to an all-time low.  Because of these findings, home care remains a comfortable option that erases the uncertainty of mistreatment and helps families be confident in the care they receive. 

There are many more benefits to home care and many things you should consider before choosing a home care provider. Discover all of that and more by visiting our blogs.