For those in their youth, often fitness about appearance is valued over health. They focus upon healthy eating and exercise for the purpose of looking great in a bikini or ensuring that they can continue to fit into their favourite jeans. For those in the over 50 age group, there’s a recognition that will fitness can help them maintain the trim appearance they may desire; there’s also much greater benefits.

For older adults, a great exercise regiment does far more for them. It can prevent osteoporosis, build strength which can in turn improve balance, prevent diabetes and help to ward off potentially fatal heart problems. Today’s seniors want to remain independent and continue to lead the lifestyles of their choice, and a great exercise program can make all the difference. With improved balance and increased bone density, they’re less likely to experience a fall that could land them in the hospital and then require them to have increased care at home; and the prevention of other health issues can generally help them to live longer!

With a specialized fitness program like those offered by Vintage Fitness, exercise routines are tailored to the specific needs of people in the 50+ age group and are adjusted to accommodate their personal physical abilities.

Source & Image: Vintage Fitness

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

Seniors in Canada have relied upon the services provided by the Canadian Red Cross for 100 years. Often the Canadian Red Cross is best associated with blood drives, but it also benefits the senior population in the following additional ways:

• Meal delivery services – programs are offered for housebound seniors so that they have access to nutritious meals daily

• Companionship – volunteers with the Canadian Red Cross visit seniors in homes and residential facilities across the country for the sake of companionship

• Community garden program – designed to give seniors involvement with their community and healthy, locally grown produce that they can grow themselves, the Red Cross sets up community gardens

• Transportation and help at home – in many communities the Canadian Red Cross provides transportation services to help older adults get around. They also help seniors with mobility issues adapt their homes, and sometimes offer services to help with home maintenance like lawn care and housekeeping

The Canadian Red Cross, since its inception 100 years ago, has operated primarily by relying upon volunteers and it’s dedicated to helping better the lives of seniors and all Canadians!

Via: Red Cross

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

During the holiday months, the last thing you want to think about is the uncertain future of your elderly relative, like a parent or grandparent. But one of the best gifts that you can give them this season is to start thinking about what you can do to make their lives better, and open the lines of communication to start making that future just a little bit more certain. The holidays aren’t a time to make any major decisions or create stress or pressure, but they are a time to reflect, talk and give the gift of caring.

1. Get an understanding of what your loved one wants in their future – find out what your older family member envisions for themselves in the future in terms of living arrangements and prospective healthcare. Discussing plans for holidays next year, or about arranging a visit to see them can introduce the topic without adding pressure

2. Talk to other family members – you don’t want to create stress or tension over the holidays, but you can engage your siblings or other family members even by asking them for feedback on how they think your older relative is doing

3. Take a hard look at your senior’s health – over the holidays, during a visit, you can take a look at their overall health and begin to assess if they seem to be struggling in any areas. This will help you determine what other conversations need to happen in the future

Via: stagesofseniorcare.com

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

Welcome to flu season. The recent spread of the swine flu has been a cause for concern for many people, especially seniors. Older people have a weaker immune system that makes it difficult to fight off a virus. The Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education wants to assure everyone that the swine flu is not spread through the handling of any food. Human contact is how the virus travels. This is why it is very important to wash your hands frequently. The following list contains facts about the swine flu and how to reduce the chances of contracting and spreading the virus.

1. Get a flu shot. This is recommended for all elderly patients as well as anyone with respiratory problems.

2. Always wash your hands. This is the best way to reduce chances of getting the flu and spreading it.

3. Use soap and warm water when washing and wash for at least 20 seconds.

4. While the flu is not spread through food, make sure to practice safe food handling at home. This will reduce the risk of other illness.

Source: canfightbac.org

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

With an abundance of food often consumed over the holidays, food safety is of utmost importance for seniors and their families and should be considered a priority. These tips can be applied in the home, or when leftovers are being sent home with other family members at the end of the holiday visit.

1. Never defrost food at room temperature – if defrosting food from frozen, put it in a covered container at the bottom over the fridge

2. Try not to overfill a fridge – stocking up for holiday visitors can cause many families to overstock their fridge. This doesn’t always allow it to remain cold enough, so instead, make more shopping trips or ask loved ones to pick things up

3. Avoid refreezing foods – food should not be refrozen if it has been completed defrosted

4. Keep foods covered and refrigerated – when marinating foods for a meal, keep them covered and put them back in the fridge

5. Keep foods at proper temperatures when traveling – any leftovers sent home with family members should be kept at the right temperatures. Use ice packs and insulated coolers

Via: Canadian Partnership for Canadian Food Safety Education

Image Source: sxc.hu

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

The Canadian economy has taken a big hit over recent months and years, and with so much economic uncertainty, it’s lead to more families merging under one roof to form a multi-generational household. In many cases, this means elderly parents moving in with their adult children and their families; or adult children relocating their household to live with a parent (a more common occurrence with a single child, than one who has a family of their own). Of course, there are many benefits to living with an aging parent, since there is an added element of safety and security provided to the older adult; however, there are some challenges that all generations in the household must overcome:

• It can be hard to find roles – the role of the elderly parents and of the other adult members of the house must be established; otherwise grandparents might step in and parent children and adult children might expect too much or too little from their parents

• There can be debates over finances – combining households of those who are financially independent can create challenges; talk openly and set guidelines before anyone packs their boxes to move

• Environmental needs must be addressed – combining families under one roof requires planning. People must have their own space, and seniors must also have safe environments with appropriate equipment to help them thrive

Via: MyTownCrier

Image source: sxc.hu

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

This website is specifically designed to offer important information and useful tips to those who have a family member with Alzheimer’s. This is a difficult disease to cope with, and many caregivers need outside support. The site has many wonderful ways to connect with other caregivers who may be experiencing the same situations. Discussion groups are offered for all caregivers and family members. The site has many other options that can be helpful when coping with an Alzheimer’s patient. Some of the options are listed below.

1. Discussion Groups with Personal Member Profiles. These groups can be a huge means of support for many caregivers.

2. An area to ask an expert. Questions can be posed to social workers, doctors and researchers. This is a great way to get information and learn more about the disease.

3. Legal and financial considerations are important when dealing with a family member who has Alzheimer’s. This area offers tips that will help figure out financial and legal issues.

4. Information for families. Every member of the family feels the effect of Alzheimer’s. The information offered on the site will help family members and caregivers learn how to cope with various situations.

5. Caregiver Support. This is one of the most important types of support. Many times, the patient is the focus of attention. While this is a positive thing, it must be remembered that much stress is placed on the caregiver. They also need means of emotional and mental support during the care giving process.

Source: forgetfulnotforgotten.com

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

One in eleven Canadian seniors develops Alzheimer’s, and many of them require care assistance in order to ensure their health and safety throughout their senior years. This role often falls to family caregivers who find themselves with a world of responsibility, as well as the emotional stress that comes with providing care for a senior with Alzheimer’s in particular.

Those who care for a senior with Alzheimer’s see changes taking place before their eyes, and many can be emotionally draining since often seniors can be argumentative and difficult when it comes to carrying out certain care routines. They also might put their caregivers through some emotional strain as their personalities and their memories change and they stop recognizing those around them who are most important.

Caregivers need to remember that nothing that happens is personal – they simply need to focus on loving their elderly relative and providing the best care possible, while trying to remain objective about all actions that take place.

Via: ForgetfulNotForgotten

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

With Halloween and Thanksgiving finally behind us here in Canada, the cooler weather is making us prepare for the Christmas and holiday season. Lights are going up in neighbourhoods, shopping is beginning, and stress is increasing. For individuals of all ages, the holidays can bring a fair amount of stress – but for seniors, the effects can be more disastrous. Make the holidays that much more enjoyable for you this year by keeping these 3 tips in mind:

1. Take advantage of soothing scents – fill your home with candles and potpourri that have scents of a holiday theme. Smells of cinnamon, fire and cedar can all be soothing and help seniors to relax and enjoy the season.

2. Prepare in advance – if entertaining, don’t do it all at once. Pre-preparing baked goods and other meal specialties can reduce the stress of preparation when holiday visits take place. Having cookie dough already prepared in the freezer, or other items that simply need to be popped in the oven can greatly reduce holiday chaos.

3. Take on less – you don’t need to overdo it over the holidays, even for gift giving, instead of braving the malls, try to focus on giving back to the community and encourage your family to do the same

Via: Ecological Living

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

Health and safety should be a priority for everyone over the holidays, but seniors and caregivers in particular need to take steps to make sure that they put caution first because while younger demographics might be able to escape from dangerous situations that result from carelessness, older adults just might not be so lucky. Here are some tips from the Canadian Red Cross for holiday safety:

1. Prevent fires with smart measures – ensure that holiday candles are placed in areas where they cannot start fires and that all holiday lights used in the home are certified by the Canadian Standards Association. Choosing fresh Christmas trees versus ones that are dried out are also less likely to combust

2. Make sure home maintenance is up kept – fireplaces and chimneys and other areas that can cause a fire if their maintenance is not a priority. Before the holidays when it’s likely that these things will be used more frequently

3. Use designated drivers – whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, encourage others to use a designated driver if they plan on drinking over the holidays. This is especially important for seniors who might be taking medications that can cause different affects with alcohol

4. Take first aid – for caregivers in particular, but for anyone who might be hosting a holiday event, a first aid training course is always beneficial

Via: Canadian Red Cross

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