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Our approach to patient care for an individual living with Alzheimer’s and related Dementia is through assistance and encouragement. Our caregivers receive specialized education and training with the disease so that we can help seniors cope, giving them the ability to continue to do what they can while feeling confident that they are supported. We ensure that our clients remain engaged and have that much needed social interaction, nutritious meals, provide those stimulating activities and our staff have the training to manage the challenging behaviours.
We are sensitive to the care and safety needs of an Alzheimer’s or dementia patient.
This includes bringing back those memories and simple pleasures, from a walk in the park or time in the garden to a ride in the car with the windows down or visiting the ice cream parlour or that favourite restaurant.
It is important that your loved one living with this disease receives access to consistent stimulating activities and interaction from our specially trained caregivers.
How to Overcome Dementia-Related Appetite Loss One of the joys of caring for a senior loved one is preparing a favorite meal and seeing how much pleasure it can provide. When a senior is progressing through dementia, however, mealtimes can change dramatically. More than 80% of seniors with dementia experience some type of dementia-related appetite loss or problem: changes in how food tastes or smells, swallowing problems, or forgetting how to use utensils or chew food properly, for instance. Loss of appetite for someone with dementia can be…
Read MoreCaring 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…
Read MoreWhy You Need to Cultivate a Meaningful Life for Seniors Each Day What is it that gets you out of bed each and every morning? If you are part of the sandwich generation, caring for both younger and older loved ones, your list is probably quite extensive! As the nest empties, however, it becomes vital to redefine our identity for ourselves. To take it a step further, it’s important to learn how to foster a meaningful life for the seniors in our lives as well. The impact of continuing to live purposefully for a lifetime are much more extensive than we previously…
Read MoreCreate 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…
Read MoreCreating 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…
Read MoreThe Difficult Emotions Every Family Caregiver Battles – and How to Let Them Go If you are feeling a bit discouraged in your role as caregiver, take heart; you’re in good company. Providing care help for a loved one is perhaps the most complex role we can hold: highly rewarding on the one hand, while simultaneously frustrating and ever-evolving, frequently resulting in feelings of doubt about whether we are up to the challenge and providing the most effective care. It’s why a number of family caregivers struggle with some or all of these types of feelings: Guilt: It…
Read MoreWhat Is Ableism, and How Can We Prevent It? What’s your first thought when you see an older person in a wheelchair? Do you see that person as less-than, someone in need of being fixed? Do you assume they require special treatment, as though a physical disability impacts intellect as well? How does your thinking shift to see someone standing upright, without the need for a wheelchair; would you think they were better-abled than the wheelchair-bound older adult? These are challenging questions that require honest answers if we are to understand…
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know About Beverage Thickeners for Swallowing Disorders Unless you have a swallowing order, you most likely have not given much thought to the different textures and consistencies of the liquids in your diet. When you’re feeling thirsty, nothing hits the spot like an ice-cold glass of water. On a hot summer day, you might crave a refreshing milkshake. And when you are recuperating from the flu, a warm bowl of soup is just what you need. But if you’re using beverage thickeners for swallowing disorders, you have to learn to adjust your thinking and…
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