Signs of aging bubble to the surface during holiday season

Here we are in the second week of January 2010. The holidays can be a whirlwind and the return to routine is welcomed by many.

As we reminisce about our family times over the holidays, this may be the time that you realize your parents or relatives are starting to show signs of aging.
Did your Aunt, who lives alone and does not get out much, look un-kept or her house uncharacteristically dirty.
Did your Mom seem distant in the family get together because she was having a hard time hearing?
Did your cousin, who lost her husband last year, still appear to be depressed and having trouble living alone?
If any of these ideas strike a cord with you, don’t sit idly by. You care for these people and there are resources available to help. Open the dialogue and then research what help can be provided. Share your caring ways the whole year through. All the best for 2010.

Gifts seniors you love, will really love

With the holidays fast approaching, it can be difficult to know what to buy for the seniors that we love. Generally, more household items are not needed, in fact they are probably trying to get rid of stuff. Instead, try giving them items that are practical and add value to their lives:

Tim Horton Gift Cards – with a hand written note saying you will join them once a month for coffee.

Swiss Chalet Gift Cards – no cooking required, a gift we all love to get

Diabetic Socks - great for anyone with circulation troubles

Long Shoe Horn – no more bending over to put on shoes

Magnifier – makes that tiny print easier to see

Blank Cards – give them a year supply of a selection of various occasion greeting cards, saves them going out to buy them

Snow Shovelling/Grass Cutting - pay for a service cover household chores. Gives “peace of mind” to all

Subscriptions – pay for their annual magazine or newspaper subscription

Taxi Gift Card – give them gift certificates to take taxi’s. May really come in handy on a snowy day

Hair Dressers Coupon – inquire about gift certificates for the salon they frequent


We hope this will give you some ideas to show you care and happy holidays everyone!!

Elder neglect is abuse

For the past number of weeks, the Toronto Star has featured articles about Elder abuse. It is a crime of our time and something that the elderly and their loved one’s need to understand. Fallacies that the article noted were:

· Abuse of the elderly occurs more frequently by family members then strangers

· Abuse occurs more often in a home then in a care facility

· Neglect is abuse

· Abuse can be physical, psychological and financial

The Government of Ontario is running a series of ad’s to bring awareness of the problem into the public domain. If you suspect elder please contact the Elder Abuse hotline at 1-866-299-1011 or go to their website at http://www.onpea.org/

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.