Care for Aging Parents and Sandwich Generation makes the grade

Over the past month eldercare courses have run at both Centennial College and Durham College. There has been a noticeable change in the number of people attending these courses and the information they are looking for.

• Adult children in attendance were comforted to know that they were not the only one's with concerns for their aging parents


• They were surprised to learn how much there was to know


• Did not understand why there was such a disconnect to the available resources

The courses provided a snap shot of the chain events that lead aging parents through illness and the care required to provide a good quality of life. Estate organization tips, as well as information regarding key documents like Powers of Attorney and Wills were also discussed. My hope is that people attending these courses disseminate their knowledge to family members, co-workers, neighbours and friends and we are able to help each other with these critical life decisions. In- house courses are available for your work place or check out our website for upcoming college seminars .http://www.estatemattersinc.com/caringmatterseducation.htm

Bill 139 changes Eldercare

Bill 139 which, if passed, will come into effect next year, addresses some the concerns expressed in my last blog. People hiring Personal Support Workers through an agency, will have an opportunity to hire them to work for them directly after one year of employment. Additionally, agency "finders fees" would be eliminated and employees would begin to get paid for statutory holidays. Although this will result in a cost to the agencies, and may even lead to cost increases for care, the results are positive for an industry that we need desperately in the coming years.

PSW's - stuck between and rock and a hard place

In the Toronto Star this week there was an article about some unscrupulous people handing out Personal Support Worker degrees for a little money and providing not much in terms of actual training. I remember in University, taking "Healthcare in Canada" and it discussed the ramifications of Health Care reform and the shift that took place in health care in general.

• Nurses were no longer involved in actual care, but, instead, became administrators
• "Hands On" care support was given to more Junior staff and, to ensure they did not get too close to any one patient, they were constantly rotated to different floors and different shifts
• No longer were 40 hours of paid work guaranteed and benefits were reduced, and in some cases, eliminated all together.

The current problem is a symptom of a much bigger cause. Those who we need the most, when we are sick or dying, we treat the worst. These are tough jobs, requiring 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year of care. It is time that the job reflected the importance and, as a society, we need to provide the respect and support that these healthcare workers deserve.

Fashion for all ages

Recently we had the absolute privilege of clothing shopping for a very fashion savvy senior. At 97, and a former fashion designer herself, she was tired of having clothing that did not fit, would bunch up and wrinkle when she sat down, and were just not all that comfortable or attractive.

This lady knew exactly what she wanted. Colours and patterns, not humdrum beige and black patternless materials that you see a lot of seniors wearing. Something that would look smart, yet would move with her body and not be too tight going across her Osteoporosis challenged spine.

We started by measuring her and then asking her what she did like that was in her wardrobe. The bright colours seemed to always make her happy, as did the clothing that did not wrinkle up too easy.

After a few hours, we had virtually emptied her closet of clothing too small or just not something she would wear. Taking samples of materials and styles that she did like with us, and armed with the measurements that we had taken, we came back one week later with bags full of clothing. A few nice jackets, that she could mix and match, a number of pairs of pants and a lot of great tops. She was thrilled!!! . Remember, aging in style keeps us all young at heart!

CCAC expands service to seniors

It is a true pleasure to be able to report that CCAC (Community Care Access Centres) are adding services that they provide for seniors. The addition of assistance, from this vital organization, of placement into Adult Day Care programs, will be a real benefit to members of the community who are caring for their loved one's in home. Adult Day Care is a true God send for people who want to keep their loved one's at home but need some time to themselves and a place for their loved one where they will be cared for and understood. It will be a great asset to have CCAC provide this placement service for their clients. Well done...let's keep adding these kinds of services for our seniors. They deserve all the help they can get.

Long Term Care placement requires forward thinking

In this weekends paper, there was an article regarding Jean and Gord Vigars who live in St. Thomas, ON. Due to declining health Jean was moving to a Long Term Care facility however, there was only one available bed in the system, which meant that Gord, would being living alone for the first time in nearly 70 years. The question is, why can't they move into the same facility together??

The reason is that, although the Community Care Access Care system gives priority to couples during placement, this couple would have needed to put their names on a waiting list years ago to ensure that they could go where they wanted, together.

Until changes are made to the way that placements are assigned, I tell my clients that if you want to stay together, or even if you are alone and want to live at a specific long term care facility, you need to ask your Community Care Access placement co-ordinators how long the wait times are, to get into the home of your choosing and act now.

Geriatric Floor - Graceful way to age

Anyone who has had an elderly person ill recently knows that being sick and elderly can be a very difficult combination. My friends and clients know, all to well, my concerns with the way our elderly are treated in many hospitals. I am pleased to compliment Scarborough Grace Hospital on their use of a Geriatric Ward to care for our chronically ill, aging population. On the floor, there are both volunteers and extra staff who ensure that, not only the physical needs of the patients are cared for, but basic aspects of daily living, too, are covered. There is always lots of people around to help and their courteous and friendly manner relieves tension for people at a very stressful time. More hospitals, particularly with our aging population, need to consider a special ward with highly specialized care for the chronically, ill and aging patients. Now....if we could just fix the wait times in the emergency rooms for our seniors but that is another topic for another day. Hats off to Scarborough Grace!

Elders need caring family and advocates

On the weekend there was an article discussing that Scarborough's Craiglee Nursing Home is now being temporarily run by Extendicare after the original owners went into Receivership. This Long Term Care Home was sited with major violations in patient care including the discovery of worms in a patients wound. This is an appalling case of neglect but I want people to know that not all homes are created equal. Standards set by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care would not allow for this kind of neglect but standards only count when people running organizations are able and willing to meet or exceed the standard. This also speaks to the greater issue that our Elderly need family and advocates to oversee their care even when placed in a facility.