The following are ways family members and home care agency caregivers can help protect their senior loved ones from the threat of scams, from the National Association of Triads, Inc. and Home Instead Senior Care:

Watch for unusual activity. The elderly who’ve been scammed may be embarrassed and try to hide the situation. Watch for changes in their lifestyle as well as any other unusual financial or business activity.

Be on guard for individuals who have befriended your loved one. Lonely or isolated seniors may be vulnerable to con criminals who befriend and provide them with companionship only to take advantage of them. Ask to talk to your parent’s new friend to find out more about him or her. A thief won’t stick around long to chat.

Investigate organizations looking for money. The elderly often want to donate to organizations and other worthy causes. But help your loved ones request written information on any soliciting organization. Then you should review it thoroughly, and/or contact your area (or the national) Better Business Bureau for assistance.

Assist seniors with their finances. When elderly loved ones can no longer handle their finances, encourage them to put a plan in place that will help ensure their bills are paid and their assets protected. The plan may include having them designate a financial power of attorney.

Destroy any information that could be compromised. Make sure your senior shreds all financial information and credit card offers before discarding them in the trash.

Seek out a second set of eyes. If you don’t live near your senior loved one or can’t always be there, help this older adult build a solid support network of neighbors, friends, or professional home care providers like Home Instead CAREGivers.

Learn more how Home Instead Senor Care can protect your senior loved ones at home and call us in the Mississauga ON area at 905- 276-2273.

Home Care Mississauga helping older adults and elderly live independently and safely at home. Please call 905- 276-2273.

There are no simple answers when it comes to the topic of senior driving. This highly sensitive issue is one that nearly all caregivers eventually face. For older adults, giving up their licenses is a threat to independence. For their families, it’s about safety.

Many adult children of older adults are fearful about their senior loved ones being out on the road during inclement winter weather. Perhaps older adults themselves are apprehensive about driving on hazardous roads. They’re sure to appreciate these senior driving safety tips:

Make sure brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, headlights and heater are in good working order. As a matter of fact, technicians usually check these things and others during routine service such as oil changes.

Don’t allow salt spray to build up on headlights and turn-signal lens, and make sure the windshield, all windows, hood and roof are clean before going out.

Use the headlights even during the day so pedestrians and other motorists have a better chance to notice the vehicle.

Drive appropriately for the conditions by slowing down, easing off the brakes if skidding occurs and making sure there is plenty of distance between vehicles. Black ice can be a threat, especially with night driving.

Don’t forget to take a cell phone and pack a winter vehicle kit that includes blankets, nonperishable food, water, flashlight, ice scraper, flares and first-aid materials. Don’t forget a heavy coast, gloves and stocking cap!

If you are concerned about your aging relative’s driving safety when behind the wheel of an automobile, contact Home Instead Senior Care in Mississauga for a better and safer alternative to having your senior loved one drive. We provide bonded and insured Home Instead CAREGivers who can provide transportation and run errands for your older loved one. You can reach us at 905- 276-2273.

Home Care Mississauga helping older adults and elderly live independently and safely at home. Please call 905- 276-2273.

Throughout Canada, Valentine’s Day is celebrated. From parties to other social events are organised in honour of the holiday. These parties can involve celebrations and couples celebrate the holiday in different ways. But if you are an aging senior, it can bring back memories that trigger sadness, if the spouse is no longer with here to help celebrate this special day with you. So, if you have an aging loved one who will be home and alone, here are some ways to help them have more fun on this special day!

1. Exchange Valentine cards with your friends, family members and grandchildren. You can make boxes decorated with hearts so that your grandchild has a box to hold the cards and treats they receive.

2. Other gifts ideas for Canadians can include flowers, chocolates, sparkling wine, or jewelry. If you enjoy eating out, invite a friend to join you or spend a day out with a friend for lunch and a movie.

3. Do some Valentine’s Baking with your grandchildren – bake heart shaped cookies, cupcakes or something else that you all enjoy. Whether you use cookie cutters to make them heart shaped, food colouring to change the baked goods red or pink for the season, or buy coloured sprinkles it’s a great way to take a the baking activity fun.

4. Make homemade cards – get crafty. This can be a fun idea for seniors and family members to do together. Like above, if seniors aren’t up to these activities, they would certainly appreciate receiving homemade items from their loved ones.

If your loved one needs help fulfilling their social needs in Mississauga ON, please call Home Instead Senior Care – we can help with transportation, nutritious cooking, and exercise to keep your loved one  moving in order to stay fit and active. Call us at 905- 276-2273.

Read more at Suite101: Valentine’s Day Traditions in Canada: How Canadians Celebrate

Home Care Mississauga helping older adults and elderly live independently and safely at home. Please call 905- 276-2273.

People without a history of cardiovascular disease are unlikely to benefit from a regular dose of aspirin, given the associated risk of internal bleeding, according to a recent study from St. George’s University of London.

• Aspirin does reduce the risk of clots forming in blood vessels and thereby protects against heart disease and stroke, but maybe less than previously thought.

• This is the finding of the largest study to date into the effects of aspirin in people without established cardiovascular conditions.

• Aspirin is widely used to prevent a repeat heart attack or stroke among people who have already suffered from one of these conditions, known in the medical field as secondary prevention.

• Many medical experts also have prescribed regular aspirin as a primary prevention technique – a precaution among people without a previous history of heart attack or stroke, but who may be considered at increased risk of these conditions.

• The lead author of the report, Dr. Rao Seshasai of St. George’s University of London, emphasized that people with an established history of heart conditions must not stop taking their medication, but an aspirin regimen does not appear to help patients with no history of heart disease.

The services of a Home Instead CAREGiver are important to seniors who want to stay healthy, and remain active and safe in their homes. Call us at 905- 276-2273 to learn more.

Source: St. George’s University of London

Home Care Mississauga helping older adults and elderly live independently and safely at home. Please call 905- 276-2273.

Older adults tend to be happier than most others. Why? Psychologists believe that cognitive processes are responsible—in particular, focusing on and remembering positive events and leaving behind negative ones; those processes, they think, help older people regulate their emotions, letting them view life in a sunnier light. “There is a lot of good theory about this age difference in happiness,” says psychologist Derek M. Isaacowitz, “but much of the research does not provide direct evidence” of the links between such phenomena and actual happiness.

Some psychologists believe that cognitive processes are responsible – in particular, focusing on and remembering positive events and leaving behind negative ones.

Other studies have discovered that as people age, they seek out situations that will lift their moods – for instance, pruning social circles of friends or acquaintances who might bring them down. Still other work finds that older adults learn to let go of loss and disappointment over underachieved goals, and their goals toward greater well-being.

One thing is certain – nearly 90 percent of seniors would rather live in their own homes. Companionship, too, is one way to help seniors maintain their sunny dispositions. Learn more about our Home Instead Senior Care® support services – call us in the Mississauga ON area to ask about our senior home care services at 905- 276-2273.

Source: Psychologicalscience.org

Our local Mississauga Home Instead CAREGivers can help keep seniors healthy, happy and safe at home. For more information on our services call 905- 276-2273.

Home Care Mississauga helping older adults and elderly live independently and safely at home. Please call 905- 276-2273.

Almost everyone has attended a family reunion. But what about hosting a family get-together to share important health information? It’s a novel idea that could help families get up-to-date on aging parent’s critical medical information.

A family health history makes sense because:

• Family members share genes,

• Behaviors,

• Lifestyles,

• Environments, which all together may affect their risk of developing health problems.

Most people have a family health history of common chronic diseases (e.g., cancer, heart disease, or diabetes) and other health conditions (e.g., high blood pressure and high cholesterol). A person with a close relative affected by a chronic disease may have a higher risk of developing that disease than a person who does not have an affected relative.

The Surgeon General’s My Family Health Portrait tool could help families collect and organize family health history information they can easily share with their doctor. This information can help a doctor caring for other family members decide which tests and screenings are recommended to assess risks.

Our local Mississauga Home Instead CAREGivers can help keep seniors healthy in spite of their family tree. For more information on our services call 905- 276-2273.

Home Care Mississauga helping older adults and elderly live independently and safely at home. Please call 905- 276-2273.

There are only a few days left to enter the I Will Remember for You contest. All entries must be submitted by Tuesday, January 31st, by 11:59pm EST.

Capturing and preserving memories for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias can happen in a number of ways. It might entail turning on a favorite 1940s big band hit, spreading photos out on the coffee table, intentionally creating a list of questions to ask, and sitting down in the living room together to record the thoughts your loved one shares. Or, reminiscing might occur more spontaneously during a family gathering—make sure you have a notepad or video camera handy!

To accommodate your family member’s cognitive ability level and make sharing memories in any situation a positive, meaningful experience, keep the following considerations in mind:

Do involve other family members; Don’t put the person with Alzheimer’s on the spot.

Do share your own thoughts as they relate to the memories your loved one shares; Don’t monopolize the conversation.

Do ask specific, personal questions; Don’t interrogate.

Do focus on general memories and emotions; Don’t focus on exact facts and details.

For more Alzheimer’s Conversation Tips

The goal is to give your family member with dementia the opportunity to share cherished memories with the people he or she loves. You don’t need to record a precise journalistic account of the person’s life.

Activities to capture and preserve memories with your family member living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias should focus on what that person can and wants to remember. You can help to minimize frustration by paying attention to your loved one’s limitations and adapting opportunities for reminiscing accordingly.

Story Starters for a Winning Entry

How has Alzheimer’s impacted you?

How do you and your family cope with Alzheimer’s?

Why are memories important to your family?

Why do you deserve to win this family reunion?

Enter to win at Help for Alzheimer’s Families

Home Care Mississauga helping older adults and elderly live independently and safely at home. Please call 905- 276-2273.

Canadian adults who find themselves providing care to an aging parent, can become overwhelmed. Having children of your own and caring for aging parents, is very stressful. Here are some things to consider when feeling overwhelmed with the care responsibilities.

1. A recent survey has revealed that 69% of Canadians between the ages of 43 and 63 have a living parent and one third of these people are providing care to them.
2. While having multiple responsibilities may seem overwhelming, there are ways for caregivers to effectively manage their responsibilities. Identifying how others can help with care and assigning different responsibilities to other family members can be helpful.
3. Social service support is also available. This will help the caregiver and will allow them to have more time to spend with their own children while still ensuring the well being of the aging parent.
4. When the caregiving is done in your own home, things can get overwhelming, however, having other family members in the home can be beneficial because they can also help with the care, even the children can be involved in caring for Grandma.

Please Call Home Instead Senior Care in Mississauga, if you need extra elder care help at home. Call 905-276.2273.

Home Care Mississauga helping older adults and elderly live independently and safely at home. Please call 905- 276-2273.

Senior volunteers are making a difference each day in local churches, community organizations, neighborhoods, senior centers and health care organizations. In total, these unsung heroes are making a bigger impact than ever as local budgets evaporate and community needs escalate. For many of these seniors, helping others defines who they are in their retirement years.

In response, Home Instead Senior Care has announced the launch of Salute to Senior Service(SM) program (www.SalutetoSeniorService.com) to honour the many volunteer contributions that older adults make to this nation. This program, which launched on January 15, 2012, includes a search for the country’s most outstanding Senior Hero(SM) in each state and culminates with the selection of a national Salute to Senior Service winner during Older Americans Month in May. State Senior Hero(SM) winners will receive plaques and their stories on the www.SalutetoSeniorService.com site. In addition, $5,000 will be donated to the national winner’s nonprofit charity of choice.

Between January 15 and March 12, 2012, entries can be submitted to nominate seniors 65 and older who volunteer at least 15 hours a month, making a positive impact on their communities through volunteerism. Stories can be submitted online at www.SalutetoSeniorService.com.

“Not only are senior volunteers changing their communities, but they are also changing the face of aging,” said Jeff Huber, President and Chief Operating Officer of Home Instead Senior Care. “Volunteer opportunities for older adults should not diminish because of age and, by all accounts, don’t. Home Instead is thrilled to be able to take this opportunity to recognize and showcase their important contributions.”

About half of U.S. seniors (52 percent) volunteer their time through unpaid community service, according to research conducted by the Home Instead Senior Care network. Nearly 20 percent (one in five) of senior volunteers surveyed started volunteering when they reached the traditional age of retirement – 65 or older. Furthermore, 20 percent of seniors who volunteer say that their community service is the most important thing they do. Seniors who volunteer give an average of 15 hours a month in unpaid service.

Seven in 10 seniors (70 percent) who volunteer indicate they plan on volunteering “forever.” This percentage is slightly higher for senior volunteers who suffer from chronic health problems. In fact, managing chronic conditions and maintaining health are important motivations. Three-fourths of senior volunteers surveyed (75 percent) who have chronic conditions say that staying active through volunteering helps them manage these conditions. But the benefits go much deeper. According to Home Instead Senior Care network research, 95 percent of senior volunteers feel that seniors who volunteer are healthier and happier than seniors who do not. Volunteering enables seniors to develop and maintain important social connections, learn more skills, and pursue new interests.

“We know from our work with seniors that the more active an individual the more likely that he or she will continue to remain independent while aging. Those who find a way to give back, even if they have their own aches and pains and need help, realize many benefits,” shared Huber.

Home Care Mississauga helping older adults and elderly live independently and safely at home. Please call 905- 276-2273.

Just a century ago, you could expect to live until age 50. That’s it. It was “end of the road,” not “over the hill” as we call it today. But thanks to advances in health care and overall standards of living since 1900, the current average life expectancy has risen to 78.4 in the U.S. and 81.5 in Canada, according to the CIA World Factbook. Today, many seniors even live into their 90s or past 100—a feat of healthy, purposeful living that other older adults can model with guidance from senior healthcare professionals.

It makes sense. Seniors who stay healthy live longer. But how can you help seniors maintain good health when the odds of developing dementia, diabetes, heart disease, some form of cancer, or a host of other ailments are against them? Some answers might come from the Greek island of Ikaria where a remarkable one in three natives reach 90 years of age.

According to an AARP The Magazine article called “Live More Good Years,” researchers discovered that, compared to Americans over 90, Ikaria’s 90-plus population experienced 20 percent fewer incidents of cancer, half the rate of heart disease, one-ninth the rate of diabetes and virtually no Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.

To encourage similar habits to help North American older adults add years to their life. Advise seniors to eat meals incorporating whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil, fish, and herbal teas to add important vitamins, antioxidants and complex carbohydrates to their diets. Seniors will also benefit from scheduling walks or daily exercises, naps, and opportunities for social interaction and religious practices into their day. Adopting a carefree attitude about time may not translate as well to our culture of hectic schedules and tight deadlines, but look for ways to reduce stress by demonstrating patience with seniors who might take longer to complete tasks.

Another approach to increasing lifespan takes into consideration not only the good behaviors to adopt, but also which behaviors to avoid. A recent CDC report boils the secret to longevity down into four key habits:

•Do exercise regularly
•Do eat a healthy diet
•Don’t smoke
•Don’t drink alcohol excessively

If your loved one needs help and assistance in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, call Mississauga Home Instead Senior Care at 905- 276-2273. Our CAREGivers are available to help your senior stay healthy.

Visit Caregiverstress.com for more information on healthy aging.

Home Care Mississauga helping older adults and elderly live independently and safely at home. Please call 905- 276-2273.