Respite Care

When Living with Dementia, Use These Simple Methods for Effective Communication Connecting with a senior loved one trying to cope with all the struggles of Alzheimer’s or dementia, particularly in the middle and later stages, may be frustrating – both for you and for your loved one. Brain changes affect the ability to hear, process, and respond effectively to conversations, and it’s up to us to employ new ways of communicating in order to connect with an individual more successfully. However, doing so is much easier than it may seem. We already communicate nonverbally…

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…

Discover the Healing Power of Laughter, and 5 Ways to Bring Joy to Seniors Each Day Have you ever felt yourself bubbling over with unrestrained laughter at the most ill-timed moment – in a packed elevator, a hushed waiting room, or a religious service? Although there are, obviously, occasions when we must stamp down the silliness, writer Jane Heller says that, “Humor can keep us balanced, even in the grimmest of times. It reminds us that despite illness and disability, there are moments of real joy in life and we need to embrace them.” The advantages of laughing are phenomenal,…

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…

Accepting a Chronic Illness Diagnosis Is Not Giving Up In Isaac Asimov’s opinion, “The easiest way to solve a problem is to deny it exists.” It is a common belief for lots of family caregivers when their loved one is diagnosed with a chronic condition, such as dementia. Even though this might instill some level of comfort in assuming that life can go forward as it always has, if only we refuse to acknowledge this new reality, the truth, needless to say, is that acknowledgement is essential to obtaining necessary support.   It’s understandable…

Windsor-Essex Home Care Provider Recommends the Best Technology Solutions for Aging in Place It doesn't matter if you are trying to tune a guitar, learn a new language, or just add cats’ ears to a selfie, there is an app for that! And for seniors who prefer to age in place, technology may be an essential element in improving safety, comfort, and overall wellbeing.  Take Amazon’s Alexa, as an example. Whereas its current benefits for seniors are many, like the ability to track sugar levels, make medical appointments, and research information related to a certain health issue, it…