Etobicoke Senior Living | Etobicoke Seniors, Retirement, Self-Exploration
Throughout our lives, our roles can define who we are. We adapt to our roles in our careers, parenting can shape who we become, but underneath it all there is a core person who drives everything that we do. Older adulthood is the time to rediscover that person, without the distraction, without structured roles shaping our personalities. Take your senior years to connect with the person inside of you, as well as those who are most important.
1. Push aside the roles that have been set for you - do not look at yourself as the person created by adaptation to a career or family life, take a long hard look at who is really in there and consider your goals, dreams and aspirations
2. Pursue self-exploration - in order to really get a grasp of who you really are, pursue new hobbies, explore interests, travel, form relationships; all of these things can aid in self-discovery
3. Find ways to look inside yourself - getting in touch with the person inside can be as simple as trying yoga or meditation; activities that cut out the noise and allow us each to focus on ourselves
4. Reconnect with loved ones - take the time to really get to know the important people in your life in older adulthood. You will find that with defined familiar roles no longer in the forefront, you will be able to see your adult children for who they really are as people and re-connect with your spouse or partner on a deeper level
Via: Second Journey
Etobicoke Senior Living, Home Care Etobicoke ON | Approaching senior years, Canadian home care, senior centres
If you have members of your family who are approaching their senior years, it is time to start talking about senior care and jointly arming yourselves with knowledge about the available options and costs of care in Canada. You do not want to be in a position where the level of care your elderly parent is able to receive is compromised because you did not look into what to expect until the situation was dire.
Few Canadians are truly aware of senior care options, according to a survey conducted by Home Instead Senior Care. Between 20% to 30% of people surveyed said that they were aware of the options available, including long-term care facilities, senior centres and in-home care, but the same survey indicated that there is a lot of misinformation amongst Canadians about what will fund the associated costs. Many believe that the Canadian Pension Plan or Old Age security will cover the costs of care, which is just not reality. Maximum benefits available to Canadians combined under both of these plans, would fall short in covering even the $1,600 a month needed for a basic room at a long-term care facility. So where will the money come from? This is where families need to use their knowledge, do some research into insurance plans and other benefits that the seniors in their lives might be eligible to receive; and determine how any gap in coverage will be funded through savings or other sources.
Care should come first for senior Canadians; money does not need to get in the way if knowledge and planning is a focus before care is needed.
Caregiver Resources, Home Care Etobicoke ON, Senior Living Etobicoke ON | Alzheimer's care, Caregiving in Etobicoke ON
In September, Home Instead Senior Care did their part to help the half-million Canadians living with Alzheimer's disease and other related dementia by hosting a Coffee Break at Shoppers Home Health Care at Six Points Plaza.
Coffee Break is the Alzheimer Society's major nationwide annual fundraiser, now in its 14th year, where friends, co-workers and customers gather in communities across Canada to raise funds for local Alzheimer Societies. Participants at these events make a donation in exchange for a cup of coffee. The money raised stays in that province or community to help support local programs and services. In 2008, more than $1,273,000 was raised. Home Instead's Coffee Break was in support of Alzheimer's Society Peel.
Source: SnapEtobicoke.com
Caregiver Resources, Senior Fitness, Senior Health | Diet or exercise for Seniors, Slow aging process
Q. My adult daughter and I are having a debate. I say diet is better for staying younger longer and that exercise is not as important. She is always after me to exercise. Who is right?
In many respects, you are both correct. You can make the most of your senior years by combining both exercise with sound lifestyle diet choices. But if it is a contest between the two, you have the edge.
Calorie restriction has long been shown to slow the aging process in rats and mice. Research on this topic has now moved from animals to humans. A new study in the June 2008 issue of Rejuvenation Research, found that calorie restriction - cutting approximately 300 to 500 calories per day - had a similar biological effect in humans and, therefore, may slow the aging process.
While scientists do not know how calorie restriction affects the aging process in rodents, one popular hypothesis is that it slows aging by decreasing a thyroid hormone, triiodothyronine (T3), which then slows metabolism and tissue aging, according to the report by Saint Louis University researchers.
The two is best to slow the signs of aging and extend life. There are links to many of these reports on this page that leave a reader with the impression that diet is best but combined with exercise it is even better. The study released focuses on older people.
Seniors in Etobicoke are in a huge debate about whether calorie restriction slows the aging process in humans. Research provides evidence that calorie restriction does work in humans very much like it shows to work in animals. The next step is to determine if this in fact slows age related tissue deterioration. The only way to be certain, though, is to do a long-term study.
That said, it would be wonderful if you found a way to combine healthy eating habits with exercise. Why not call a few friends and start a walking club? If that doesn't appeal to you, contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office. Our CAREGivers often participate in hobbies with other seniors and walking is a great one.
Caregiver Resources, Etobicoke Senior Living | Elderly stay home, Intergenerational Living in Etobicoke ON
Our 88 year old mother has lived at home with help from the family. Because it's becoming more difficult for her to be at home, it is now time for her to move to a facility. How do we decide which option is best?
It is great that your mother could stay at home for so long, since that is where most elderly individuals want to be. In a survey conducted for Home Instead Senior Care, more than 83 percent of seniors surveyed say they are very or somewhat likely to remain in their homes rather than move to a care facility.
Most communities now have a variety of services, including home health agencies and non-medical care companies, which can make that possible. Have you looked into community resources that could help your mom continue to stay at home? "Most older people seem to think that where they live is an all or nothing affair: stay at home or be sent off to a nursing home," said Linda Rhodes, author of Caregiving as Your Parents Age.
For some seniors, however, the day may come when it is time to leave home. If so, look for options that continue to help seniors remain as independent as possible. In her book, Rhodes outlines some of those including continuing care retirement communities that feature independent living apartments and homes, assisted living apartments and nursing home care.
Whatever your mom and your family decide, you should encourage your mother to maintain the relationships that she is formed at home. For instance, if your mother has had a non-medical caregiver that person may be able to accompany her into her new home to supplement care. That can make the transition to a new setting much easier.
Nutrition for Seniors, Senior Health | Elderly in Etobicoke ON, Low fat foods for seniors, Nutritional Health
Healthy nutrition is vital for seniors especially if they want to continue living independently. Good eating habits help keep seniors strong and able to care for themselves. Food provides the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy. Nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.
A good diet for aging seniors reduces your risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease and potentially certain cancers. As you grow older, you might need less energy, yet your body needs nutrients that food gives. To make sure you get good nutrients, select healthy foods and avoid empty calories which have very little nutritional value.
Always get foods that are low in cholesterol and fat, saturated and trans fats, especially. The saturated fats are usually fats that come from animals. Look for the trans fat on the labels of processed foods, margarine and shortenings.
Caregiver Resources, Senior Living Etobicoke ON | Elderly in Etobicoke ON, Senior Home Care, Seniors age at home
Senior Home Care in Etobicoke is a relatively new service when comparing it to other care services like nursing homes or even assisted living facilities. So what is senior and elder home care and when is the appropriate time to consider it for your aging relative?
When your loved one has trouble taking care of daily living activities such as:
* bathing
* dressing
* managing some tasks
* during convalescent recovery after an illness
..they may face the choice of getting help or leaving their home to stay in a facility that can offer that daily care.
The problem with the latter - can be very expensive. Your recovering senior, like most, want to stay in their home. If it is a matter of recovering from surgery, the cost to stay elsewhere because of minor inconveniences can be a serious financial drain.
And in some cases, adult children and grandchildren, other family, neighbors, and friends can pitch in. The problem is that it is often not enough. Working adult children find it hard to leave their jobs to help mom in the morning. Other family and friends just are not available consistently.
Home Instead Senior Care is a viable alternative - CAREGivers are trained to handle these kinds of situations. We pick up the care for family members when they cannot be there. Our CAREGivers do a variety of duties such as:
* Light Housekeeping
* Cooking
* Companionship
* Participate in crafts
* Participate in card games
* Help with bathing
* Dressing
* Running errands
* Transportation
* Shopping
* and more
