Combating Loneliness in Seniors

How are we combating loneliness in seniors? | Many seniors – especially those who live alone – might find themselves feeling lonely. Seniors who are unable to get out by themselves may feel especially alone. Loneliness can affect a senior’s physical health as well as their mental health. In fact, loneliness can impact or even contribute to some health conditions, such as depression, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Luckily, there are ways to combat loneliness.

If you or your loved one has been feeling lonely, here are some ways to start feeling better:

Make Transportation Available

One of the best ways to promote socializing and combat loneliness is by having a method of transportation for your senior. One way to do this is to have an in-home caregiver or transportation service provide rides to and from places. If your loved one lives near family, have family members take turns providing transportation. These family members can even attend the social event with your senior.

Consider a Pet

A pet is a great way to bring some purpose and responsibility into one’s life. If they’re interested, encourage your loved one to get a pet – whether it be a dog, a cat, or even a hamster. Many people find that having a pet improves their quality of life. Visiting a local shelter can be a great outing too.

Host a Get-Together

If your loved one could use some company, have them host a get together in their home! This can be a fun way to socialize. They can plan out what kind of food they want to have and what sort of activities they’ll do. If they don’t want to do it at their home, a get-together at a local restaurant or attraction can be a great way to get out of the house and spend time with friends.

Learn a New Hobby

Along with loneliness often comes boredom. If your loved one needs something new to do, suggest a hobby for them to try. What’s great about hobbies is there is a social element to many of them. For example, your senior could join a choir, learn Tai Chi or yoga, learn to knit or crochet, or learn how to play bridge. This will give them something to look forward to and a new way to meet friends.

Use or Learn More About Technology

While some may think that the internet is just for young people, many seniors use the internet to meet friends and to learn new things. For example, your loved one could join a social media group about their favorite hobby, or join a website for seniors who are looking for friends or relationships. You might be surprised at how many seniors are active online. And if your loved one doesn’t have much experience using the internet, teaching them can be a great bonding moment.

Implement one or a few of these tips and help your loved one improve their quality of life today.

Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help Seniors Combat Loneliness

At Comfort Keepers^®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.

Considering Respite Care

Considering Respite Care | If you’re the primary caregiver for your senior family member, then you know that it can be a rewarding yet emotionally exhausting experience. While it’s important to care for your loved one, it’s also important to pay attention to how you’re feeling and care for yourself, as well. Many caregivers will suffer from compassion fatigue at least once during their time as a caregiver. Compassion fatigue is when a caregiver spends so much time on the person being cared for without taking the time to focus on themselves, to the point of exhaustion. This often ends in the caregiver feeling decreased empathy.

If you’re a caregiver, here are some ways to recognize and prevent compassion fatigue:

Know the Symptoms

Caregivers who are having compassion fatigue may experience a variety of symptoms, the biggest one being decreased empathy. Other symptoms may include feeling physically or mentally exhausted, feelings of dread or guilt, irritability, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping or making decisions. Someone dealing with compassion fatigue may have trouble finding meaning in caregiving and may isolate themselves. Some caregivers may even deny that they’re feeling compassion fatigue. If left untreated for too long, they may start resenting the person they are caring for.

If you’re a caregiver, regularly check in with how you’re feeling. By paying attention to how you’re feeling – and giving yourself breaks when you need them – you can prevent family relationship strains and you’ll be feeling better.

What to Do

If you’ve been noticing these symptoms, you might be wondering what you should do. Well, the first step is noticing and acknowledging these feelings. Then, determine what you need in order to de-stress. This can look different for everyone. For some, just spending 10 minutes a day on a walk or meditating may help. Others might try to spend one evening a week socializing with friends. Or they might find writing in a journal, finding a caregiver support group, or talking to a counselor to be helpful.

If you’ve been meaning to do these things but don’t feel that you can leave your loved one at home alone, consider working with a respite caregiver. A respite caregiver can take your place while you run errands, take a vacation, or simply need some time to yourself.

Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help

At Comfort Keepers, we understand that sometimes family members need time to practice self-care. That’s why we offer respite care services that can reduce the burden of caring for a loved one. While caring for a family member can be very rewarding, it’s important that you don’t forget about your needs. If you’re interested in working with Comfort Keepers, call or contact us online today.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.

Is It Time For In Home Care? | One of the many services Comfort Keepers offers is respite care. When your loved one is still living in their own home, a family member often takes the role of caregiver. Caring for a loved one is a full-time job, and sometimes, family members can start to feel burnt out. When this happens, bringing in a respite caregiver can be a great option to allow the family member some time to relax.

Family members who care for their loved one take on a lot of stress, which can impact them emotionally and physically. In fact, this stress can cause problems like anxiety, depression, and even some chronic illnesses like heart disease. Many family members have to sacrifice parts of their life, including their career and hobbies. They may feel unable to step away and even guilty about leaving their loved one, in case something were to happen. And when a caregiver starts to feel burnt out and stressed, their quality of care is likely going to suffer.

Is It Time for In Home Care? – A Reminder for Primary Caregivers

It’s important that a primary caregiver gets the care they need in order to continue to be a good caregiver. A respite caregiver can take on the responsibilities of a primary caregiver for anywhere from a few hours to several weeks. Whether the primary caregiver needs just a little bit of time each week for themselves or needs an extended vacation, respite caregivers are trained to give high quality assistance to seniors.

Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help

At Comfort Keepers^®, we know the hard work that is put into caregiving, which is one of the many reasons we offer respite care. We value the safety and comfort of not only our seniors but their family members as well. Warning signs of high stress include changes in appetite, irritability, chronic fatigue, feeling sad or hopeless, losing interest in things they used to love, and even physical pain. If a family member who cares for your loved one is showing signs of anxiety, depression, or other common health conditions, talk to them about getting a respite caregiver who can give them some time for themselves. If you’re the primary caregiver, take some time once a week to evaluate how you’re feeling. If you think you would benefit from some relaxation, consider working with a respite caregiver.

Our caregivers at Comfort Keepers can assist with a variety of non-medical tasks in the home, including light housework, cooking and feeding, bathing and toileting, and companionship. Many seniors even enjoy their visits from their respite caregiver, especially if they don’t usually get many visitors. With one of our respite caregivers, you can be sure that your loved one is in good hands.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about our In Home Care Services and how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.

Consider Respite Care

Respite Care and Your Loved One | Taking care of a loved one can be a fulfilling, joyful experience. It can feel good to take care of someone who took care of you for many years, and oftentimes, giving care to a family member can bring you closer together.

However, taking care of a family member, especially if it’s around the clock, can be demanding emotionally and physically. If you’re caring for a family member, you may find yourself feeling drained or emotionally exhausted. Maybe you haven’t had time to care for yourself and do the things that you enjoy doing.

If this is the case, respite care may be an option. Respite care is temporary care provided by a professional to relieve a family member or primary caregiver from their responsibilities. Respite care is available for anywhere from just a few hours up to extended periods of time, like a few weeks. Respite care allows the primary caregiver to relax and recharge while having the peace of mind that their loved one is being cared for.

Many primary caregivers feel guilty when they are doing something for themselves instead of caring for their loved one. However, in order to provide the best care, it’s important for you to take breaks every so often. Caregiving can be stressful and can even bring on feelings of resentment. More than likely, the person you’re caring for will pick up on this. Plus, it’s a good change of pace for your loved one. It’s likely that your loved one doesn’t have many new visitors, so bringing in a new guest can be valuable and exciting for them.

There are a few different options for respite care. Some family members use a nursing home or an adult daycare center. Others prefer to keep their loved one in the comfort of their own home and bring in a caregiver. Either way, make sure that your loved one is included in the conversation. Their comfort and happiness should be the priority.

With respite care, the primary caregiver will be able to relax and re-energize. They will also be able to spend time with other family members or participate in hobbies. This can relieve the stress, guilt, and resentment that can come along with being a full-time caregiver for a family member.

Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help

At Comfort Keepers^®, offers respite care for caregivers who need it. Our caregivers will come right to your loved one’s home, so there’s no need to transport them to a new and unfamiliar place. Our caregivers are held to the highest of caregiving standards so you can be sure that your loved one is in good hands

We create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.

What is Respite Care?

Considering Respite Care This Holiday Season | Respite care is the temporary transfer of a primary caregiver’s responsibilities to someone else, who is usually a professional caregiver or another family member or friend. Primary caregivers will, at some point throughout their caregiving, need relief. Whether it be a few hours a day, once a week, or for a longer period of time, having someone available for respite care is crucial to your caregiver’s health.

What You Should Know When Caring for a Loved One

While it can be rewarding to care for a loved one, many caregivers find that their care declines in quality when they themselves become sick or unwell. Caring for another person is important, but it’s also good to remember to take care of yourself as well. This is especially important if your loved one has a long-term or severe illness. When someone you love needs 24/7 care, it can be hard to take time for yourself.

Comfort Keepers, along with Clear Care, partnered with Stanford Center on Longevity and Stanford University Psychology Department on a study about older family caregivers and their wellbeing.

They found several things – first, caring for someone with a mild illness had an emotional wellbeing greater than that of young adults, and that emotionally, they felt the same as their peers. However, when caring for someone with a severe illness, the caregiver had a lower sense of well-being than their peers. Researchers were able to make a connection between the lower sense of well-being and the inability to pursue one’s own goals and hobbies. So, while caring for someone with a mild illness did not negatively affect the caregiver’s well-being, caring for someone with a more severe illness did.

Caregivers can have a lot of stress on their shoulders, especially when they have to sacrifice their career or lifestyle. However, many caregivers feel like caregiving gives them a sense of purpose and can bring a lot of fulfillment to their lives – as long as they are able to take the time to care for themselves and their own needs.

If you’ve been caring for a family member and are feeling stressed or burnt out, hiring a respite caregiver can be a great way to ensure that your loved one is still getting the care they need while giving yourself a much-needed break.

Considering Respite Care This Holiday Season? Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help

At Comfort Keepers^®, we understand that it can be a tough transition of trusting someone else to care for your loved one. Here at Comfort Keepers, we want to make sure that you’re confident in our ability to care for your family member. Each care recipient gets a customized care plan to ensure that they get the highest quality care possible.

We create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.

Checking in on a loved one this holiday season | You may have some concerns or worries about how your loved one is doing. Are they eating well? Are they able to complete the daily tasks they need to do each day? Since many seniors live alone, it can be hard to know how they are doing unless you check in with them regularly.

The holiday season is a good time to check in on your loved one and make sure that they’re getting the things that they need.

Use this checklist to determine whether you need to make any adjustments to your loved one’s routine.

Look – Checking in on both your loved one’s appearance and the appearance of the home can be good indicators of how things are going. Does your loved one seem happy? Is their home clean? Look for things like dirty clothing, dirty dishes, or messy living spaces.

Listen – How is your loved one speaking to you? Have you noticed any changes in speech or behavior? If so, this can sometimes be a sign that something else is going on. Ask them how they’ve been spending their time and note whether they’ve been keeping up with their regular activities.

Smell – Smell can be a good indicator of whether your loved one is able to keep themselves and their surroundings clean. If your loved one smells clean, chances are they are having no problem taking care of their hygiene.

Taste – Tasting some of your loved one’s food can help you determine whether they are able to feed themselves well. And while you’re at it, toss out any expired food and medications to make room for fresh food.

Feel – Next time you give your loved one a hug, take note of how they feel. Are they too skinny? Is their skin rough? These sorts of things can help you figure out if your loved one needs any extra care.

Checking in over the phone – If you are unable to check in in person with your loved one, a phone call can give you some good indicators of how they are doing.

When you call them, ask questions about how they’re doing. You’ll want to be more specific than just “how are you.” For example, asking them what they had for lunch can tell you whether they are eating well. It can also help you determine whether they are having any memory loss. You can also ask them how they’ve been spending their time to see whether they are still involved in activities.

Taking the time to check in with your loved one regularly – even if they don’t live nearby – can help to establish a baseline so that you can be proactive if something changes.

Checking in with a loved one this holiday season – Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help

If you’re noticing that your loved one is having trouble with daily tasks, take action as soon as you can. Talk to your loved one to find out more about what they’re having trouble with, and why. You may want to schedule a doctor’s appointment to discuss the issues further and find a solution for them.

Finally, it may be time for your senior to get in-home care to help them with daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, or bathing. It’s important to choose a caregiver that your loved one is comfortable with and that you are confident in. While it’s important to be proactive, don’t be afraid to take a little bit of time in order to choose a caregiving service that offers the services you need and is also experienced.

At Comfort Keepers^®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.

How Calgary Home Care Companies Can Help Seniors with Alzheimer’s | Alzheimer’s disease affects 5.4 million Americans, or one in eight senior Americans, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. With the disease becoming increasingly prevalent among seniors, more families are in need of assistance in caring for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s. Home care companies can provide this assistance and make a significant difference in seniors’ lives.

According to AARP, Alzheimer’s is not an inevitable disease for every senior. The organization offers many suggestions on how seniors can help prevent or fight the onset of the disease. Keeping the mind and body active and fit can reduce, delay or even prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s, dementia and other illnesses among seniors.

Among other things, the AARP recommends the following to help senior’s with Alzheimer’s:

• Exercise
• Eating a healthy diet
• Learning new skills

Home care companies in Calgary can help seniors perform these recommended activities to improve or maintain their health. Caregivers, like those at Comfort Keepers, can ensure that seniors remain physically active regardless of their level of physical fitness and flexibility.

Whether it’s a walk in the park, the neighborhood or a store, caregivers can help ensure that seniors get out and about to stay active. Caregivers can also assist seniors with gardening, cooking and other daily tasks that contribute to their overall health and well-being.

When it comes to keeping the mind sharp, caregivers can help with this, too. In addition to offering companionship, care providers will engage in activities and pastimes with seniors that keep their minds active, such as games, puzzles, writing, reading and more. They’ll also assist with and encourage seniors to learn new skills and activities to keep their minds sharp and to enjoy all that life has to offer.

Diet plays a role in a senior’s mental and physical health. Healthy foods provide seniors with the energy and nutrients they need to stay physically, emotionally and mentally healthy. Caregivers can ensure that seniors are eating a healthy diet and receiving proper nutrition. Along with grocery shopping, caregivers can assist with meal preparation and ensuring that seniors eat regularly.

Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help Seniors with Alzheimer’s

At Comfort Keepers^®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.

Vitamin B12 May Play a Role in Alzheimer’s Care

Vitamin B12 May Play a Role in Alzheimer’s Care | Vitamin B12 may play a role in the prevention of Alzheimer’s according to a Scandanavian study. The study found that Vitamin B12 may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.

The study included 271 participants 65 to 79 years old. Researchers took blood samples of the group which has not shown any signs of dementia. Blood was tested for:

• B12
• Homocysteine

Homocysteine is an amino acid that is found in the body and increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers followed the participants over a seven-year period and found that 17 of the participants had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Interestingly, the group of 17 had higher levels of homocysteine and low levels of Vitamin B12.

Individuals in the study that decided to increase their consumption of Vitamin B12 also experienced a decrease of 2% risk of Alzheimer’s for every unit increase in B12. Researchers suggest that the increase in Vitamin B12 may be able to fight back against Alzheimer’s disease.

Vitamin B12 is very potent and has been shown to naturally lower the levels of homocysteine in the body.

Seniors are often deficient in this key vitamin, and it should be included in a person’s nutrition plan as they age. Many foods are being fortified with Vitamin B12, and it can naturally be found in:

• Meat
• Poultry
• Fish

Science has also proven that B12 can be beneficial in a series of other ways. This key vitamin has been shown to assist with:

• Formation of red blood cells which can help combat anemia
• Support bone health and stop osteoporosis from developing according to a 2,500-person study
• Reducing a person’s risk of macular degeneration
• Seniors that are suffering from depression and mood-related problems
• The prevention of neuron loss in the brain
• Prevention of memory loss and brain atrophy
• Energy production
• Improvement of heart health by reducing homocysteine levels

It’s estimated that around 6% of people over the age of 60 have lower Vitamin B12 levels. And about 20% of seniors have low or borderline deficient levels of B12.

If a senior does have very low levels of Vitamin B12, there’s also the option to have intramuscular or oral injections which will add an abundance of B12 into a person’s bloodstream.

Caretakers should ensure that seniors have their vitamin levels checked and that any deficiencies are addressed either through diet or some form of supplementation.

Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help Alzheimer’s Care

At Comfort Keepers^®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.