Toronto Seniors And Holidays: A Great Time To Check In

Senior Health and Wellbeing  |  October 12, 2016

The holiday season is just around the corner, if not already here. Before we know it, Christmas and Hanukkah will be upon us. Holidays are the traditional time when families gather and catch up with family members they haven’t seen much of during the year. This is also a great time to observe how your senior loved ones are doing.

Holidays And Seniors: Evaluating Your Loved One’s Health

Observing family holiday traditions—like gathering around the Christmas tree to sing favorite carols or lighting a Menorah—can go a long way to adding joy and comfort to a senior’s family holiday celebration. This is also a very good time to take a closer look and observe how your loved one moves around the house, interacts with other family members, and to talk to your senior family member about whether they any need help maintaining their independence.

The Mayo Clinic suggests you look for certain signs and changes to gauge the overall health of your loved one. For example:

• Weight loss, which could indicate serious health problems, assuming that the loss is not part of an intentional health improvement plan. It could indicate conditions such as malnutrition, dementia, depression, heart failure or cancer. Or it could be that the senior is lacking the energy or dexterity to prepare meals.
• Housework and home maintenance, which if it appears to have been neglected, could point to physical impairment or depression. Also look around the house for safety issues such as tripping hazards. Or, is the senior having trouble with stairs?
• Do the seniors appear to maintain good hygiene and dress well? Does it look like they are still taking good care of themselves?
• Do they seem normal or out of sorts? Are they still involved in their hobbies and interests and getting together with friends? Or do they seem withdrawn or blue?
• Physical abilities. Do they appear to be getting around the house OK? Or are they unsteady on their feet?

Now is the time to invite them to share their concerns, find out how you can help and discuss with them options, such as in-home caregivers who can assist with the things they are beginning to have difficulty with.

Comfort Keepers^® can help. Our caregivers can provide crucial emotional and physical support during the holiday season for seniors and families in need. They will also take note of the senior’s overall health, see that they take medications, help them follow dietary guidelines, and perform daily tasks around the home. Call your local office today to discover all of our available services.

Comfort Keepers^®’ trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

For additional information on Comfort Keepers of Canada® at Toronto or any other Comfort Keepers of Canada® location please visit our home page or call us at 416-663-2930.

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