In-Home Care Windsor-Essex: Hygiene Help for Individuals Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease Of the many struggles linked to providing care for a family member with dementia, one of the most prevalent challenges is with personal hygiene, for various reasons: Diminished sense of vision and smell Comfort associated with familiarity (for example, needing to wear the same clothes again and again) The complexities of bathing, compounded by cognitive impairment and confusion Anxiety about falling, the noises and feelings associated with the water, and much more Cajoling, arguing, and reasoning…

Caring for elders can overwhelm us Nicole Johnson, a memory therapy coach, works with a patient at Amy’s Helping Hands   For caregivers, worrying about an aging relative is stressful enough. Taking care of two loved ones kicks up that stress level rise significantly. This is the daily reality for Denise and her sister who are responsible for the care of two aging relatives. For them, caregiving took a difficult turn when both relatives needed additional help over a few days. With one having hip surgery and the other being transferred…

Senior Caregiving Tips: How to Avoid Crossing the Line From Motivation to Bullying As a family caregiver, you likely encounter a range of feelings throughout the day: shared laughter over a joke with a senior loved one; anxiety over a health concern; and certainly, at times, irritations. We would like only the best for those we love, so when an older adult is resistant to doing something we know is best, it may be challenging to identify the best reply.  The key is to try to supply motivation and support, while remaining vigilant not to cross the line into bullying the senior.…

Create Your All-Star Care Team in 5 Steps What family caregivers often need most is sound advice, regular respite and an extra set of hands. Friends may scatter when one becomes the primary caregiver for a spouse or parent, and not everyone has siblings or other family members they can depend on to share the load. A carefully selected care team is a necessary complement to a loved one’s detailed care plan. Step 1: Draft a list of prospective team members Write down the name of each family member, friend or neighbor with whom you regularly…

Creating a Legacy for Your Parent A common regret of adult children who have lost their parents is the wish that they had asked and understood more about their own family history. This is particularly true for family caregivers, whose focus on the present is necessitated by the practical concerns of getting through the day. Making time to learn more about the past seems like a luxury for many caregivers. But taking that time may be beneficial to those we love and care for and provide an important opportunity to redefine and enhance…

Providing Senior Care in the Home for a Loved One? Prevent Injuries with These Tips! Even though the ultimate goal is to increase health and safety for the aging adults they love, family caregivers, unfortunately, typically end up diminishing their own health in the process. The truth is, an incredible 94% of caregivers in a recently available study conducted by Ohio State University documented musculoskeletal pain in more than one part of their body – and 66% revealed that this pain is affecting their quality of life. And know that a “family caregiver” can be anyone in the…

Activities for Seniors To Find Meaning and Purpose in Everyday Life Think of a regular day in the life of a senior loved one. Hopefully it provides a couple of uplifting and enriching experiences: enjoying breakfast, engaging in a pleasant activity or interest, visiting with a friend or relative, watching a popular TV show. Nevertheless there is a difference between positivity and purpose.  The need for a life rich with meaning and purpose is becoming more apparent, especially in the life of senior loved ones. Viktor Frankl, world-renowned psychiatrist and survivor…