Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care

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…

How Seniors with Chronic Health Conditions Are Being Empowered to Take Control On the subject of chronic health conditions, seniors are the experts, hands down, with nearly 3 out of 4 seniors impacted by several conditions that are ongoing, call for long-term medical attention, and put limitations on activities. With the continuous barrage of bloodwork and other exams, doctors’ appointments and procedures, and medications, managing chronic diseases takes both a physical and emotional toll, and may very quickly become daunting. Dr. Mary Tinetti, chief of geriatrics and internist…

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…