Less Cost, More Care!

Burlington Ontario one of the best places for retirees and senior citizens–

The 2012 edition of MoneySense Magazine’s Canada’s Best Places to Live came out two days ago, and Burlington is ranked Number 2. As the most westerly city in the Greater Toronto Area, Burlington attracts residents of all ages, but it is particularly attractive to older Canadians. A good variety of affordable housing, easily accessible downtown and medical services, great shopping options, waterfront location and recreation and leisure facilities combine to make Burlington a wonderful place for retirees and senior citizens to call home. Burlington has all the amenities of a big city with a lower cost of living than bigger cities, making it an attractive option to those on a fixed retirement income.

DISCOUNTS FOR SENIORS–

DISCOUNTS FOR SENIORS

10 Network Building Tips for Family Caregivers of Senior Loved Ones from Senior Care Corner–

Family caregivers of senior loved ones understand only too well the physical and emotional stress associated with their role but too many don’t know where to turn for support to help deal with this stress. Senior Care Corner has tips for building a caregiver support network.

Elder Care Cafe–

Caring for the Elderly

Health Conditions–

Health Conditions

Substance abuse on the rise among boomers–

Think of a stereotypical drug addict and a vision of a young, tattooed high school dropout might come to mind. Drug addiction is typically associated with young adults, not with retirees.

But as the baby-boom generation, now ages 48 to 66, expands the ranks of an already-sizeable older population, substance abuse is on the rise among elders.

Canadian Coalition for Senior’s Mental Health–

To Promote Senior’s mental health by connecting people, ideas and resources.

SureWork Solutions–

Less Cost, More Care!

Less Cost, More Care!

Architecture book lays blueprint for dementia care–

The book is a collection of innovative designs for long-term care facilities meant to better the lives of the estimated 500,000 Canadians living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, developed by master’s students at Carleton University in Ottawa….

Advice On Better Managing Your Health, Finances, Caregiving And More –

(NAPSI)—Aging gracefully—when it comes to safety, providing care, and finances for retirement—may be a bit easier now that you can read all about it in a series of advice publications available free online from the MetLife Mature Market Institute.

Older Canadians’ Expectations of Government–

Older Canadians embracing social networking–

Older Canadians are increasingly following their younger counterparts into the world of social media, with Facebook by far the most popular way to network, a new poll suggests.

Abordiginal Canada Portal–

Health Canada Reminds Canadians of Egg Safety–

With Easter upon us, Health Canada would like to remind Canadians of the importance of proper handling and preparation of eggs to prevent foodborne illness.

Super Seniors–

Youth is wasted on the young, it’s said. QC talked to three seniors who prove the wisdom of that saying. Active physically and mentally well into what are supposed to be their twilight years, these individuals could give people half their age a run for their money. Harold Hague is 90 years old and is still a force in Regina’s business community. Thelma Pepper discovered her artistic side in middle age as a portrait photographer; her work just keeps getting better. Paul Szucs is a mighty mite, a man in his 80s who works out every day.

Elder Cafe-Caring For Elderly–

DISCOUNTS FOR SENIORS–

Burlington Ontario one of the best places for retirees and senior citizens–

The 2012 edition of MoneySense Magazine’s Canada’s Best Places to Live came out two days ago, and Burlington is ranked Number 2. As the most westerly city in the Greater Toronto Area, Burlington attracts residents of all ages, but it is particularly attractive to older Canadians. A good variety of affordable housing, easily accessible downtown and medical services, great shopping options, waterfront location and recreation and leisure facilities combine to make Burlington a wonderful place for retirees and senior citizens to call home. Burlington has all the amenities of a big city with a lower cost of living than bigger cities, making it an attractive option to those on a fixed retirement income.

10 Network Building Tips for Family Caregivers of Senior Loved Ones from Senior Care Corner–

Family caregivers of senior loved ones understand only too well the physical and emotional stress associated with their role but too many don’t know where to turn for support to help deal with this stress. Senior Care Corner has tips for building a caregiver support network.

Canadians in home care, caregivers, need more help: report–

Silent but deadly: You may have gingivitis & not even know it–

It’s called the silent killer. And across the nation, millions of Canadians have this disease, which can alter their quality of life and contribute to the onset of life-threatening conditions….

SureWork Solutions–

Less Cost, More Care!

Less Cost, More Care!

New tech helps aging workers bounce back–

t’s a $3-billion burden for taxpayers — and a life-altering moment for those who experience it firsthand.
Falls are the leading cause of injury hospitalizations among Canadians 65 and older, with one in three expected to suffer a spill this year.
But as more people delay retirement, staying on the job into their 70s or later, researchers are working on innovations. These inventions will in the years to come, help older employees bounce back — literally — from falls and other workplace perils…

Aging and the Importance of Belonging –

Human beings of every age need to belong. This is a need so basic that we rarely think about it unless loneliness brings it to our attention. As children, most of us safely belong to our families…

Protecting the mind as you grow older –

IF YOU ARE old enough to consider yourself middle-aged, you probably don’t welcome the new evidence that brain function can start to decline as early as 45 to 49 years old.
That’s the surprising finding in a study of more than 7,000 British government employees, published in January in the British Medical Journal. Among those many white-collar civil servants, cognitive testing performed repeatedly during 10 years of follow-up showed an average decline of 3.6 percent in those who were 45 to 49 years old at the start of the study…

A New Online Destination for Expert Elder Care Guidance–

Enables family caregivers to learn, organize and act with confidence by combining informative content, professional advice and customized senior home care plans in one easy-to-use website…

SureWork Solutions–

Less Cost, More Care!

Less Cost, More Care!

Canadian Cancer Society Applauds New $40 Million Federal Government Caregiver Tax Credit–

The tax credit, which came into effect on January 1, allows family caregivers taking care of an ill family member to claim an enhanced amount for a dependant under one of the existing dependency-related tax credits.
The new tax credit could translate into as much as $300 per family for 2012.

Influenza Vaccine Less Effective on Elderly Than Thought–

The benefits of influenza vaccination in the elderly may have been overestimated, a new analysis suggests.

Top 100 Senior Blogs & Web Sites–

Today’s retirees and seniors know how to stay on top of current events, meet people from around the world, and offer advice to folks who might otherwise not want to listen — by blogging. Here is SeniorsForLiving.com’s pick of the top 100 senior blogs and retiree-ready destinations on the Web.

U of T robot named Brian is here to help elderly in daily tasks–

The Psychological Consequences of Eldercare Abuse and Financial Exploitation–

Eldercare maltreatment is a societal problem that often goes unaddressed. Financial exploitation is another act that is committed against the elderly, specifically, older individuals who are dependent upon others for their care. People residing in nursing facilities are often the victims of these types of abuses. When an elderly person suffers financial loss of this type, it can cause significant psychological and emotional damage. Many elderly individuals fear they will never be able to recoup their losses since they are no longer working. Others worry that they will become financially dependent upon family members or state programs for the rest of their lives. These conditions can cause an already physically impaired elderly individual to experience depression and anxiety and even contemplate suicide.

Is there a senior you want honored with award?–

A new group has started a program to honor seniors that volunteer and help their community in a positive way.

Palliative Care Info-Sheet for Seniors–

Palliative care is a special kind of health care for individuals and families who are living with a life-threatening illness, usually at an advanced stage. This information sheet answers some of the questions seniors frequently ask about palliative care (sometimes called hospice care). It also suggests where seniors can learn more about the services available.

The Chief Public Health Officer’s Report on The State of Public Health in Canada 2010 –

This chapter provides an overview of the current health and well-being of the Canadian population aged 65 years and older, including patterns of ill health and disability within this age group. It focuses on their physical and mental health as well as economic and social well-being.

Tories plan tougher sentences for elder abuse–

The federal government is set to introduce tougher sentences for those convicted of elder abuse.

Long term caring–

Mental Health and Addictions Issues for Older Adults: Opening the Doors to a Strategic Framework –

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario is a not-for-profit, charitable organization whose vision is “mentally healthy people in a healthy society.” As a core responsibility, CMHA, Ontario develops and provides public policy advice that promotes mental health and improves the lives of people living with mental illness.

Older Men’s Hidden Health Concerns –

Do men harbour concerns about aging in good health? Do they confide these concerns to their physicians? Are men’s concerns the same as women’s?

Canada urged to segregate elderly prisoners–

SureWork Solutions–

Less Cost, More Care!

Less Cost, More Care!

Designer expands heavily researched clothing line for people in wheelchairs–

Like a masterful novel, the story of Toronto-based clothing designer Izzy Camilleri gets deeper and more engrossing with every successive chapter. But what makes Camilleri’s narrative really soar is the fact that it’s non-fiction… even though her clients might argue her work feels like a fairytale come true.

Skin Conditions in the Elderly–

As we get older, our skin undergoes a number of changes. How your skin ages will depend on several factors: your lifestyle, diet, heredity, and other personal habits (such as smoking).

In an aging society, driving with dementia may be the new impaired driving–

In the coming years, there will be a surge of senior drivers on Ontario’s roads suffering from dementia, the general term for those with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s. Dementia affects the brain’s functioning, creating an inability to work out a complicated decision and, as it advances, a lack of awareness that a decision even needs to be made.

Fractured Hips Can Result in Death If Not Treated Within 48 Hours–

It’s a situation that many baby boomers are facing: The phone rings and they find out a parent has fallen, forcing them both into a sudden introduction into the often-confusing world of accessing emergency hip fracture surgery. Yet very few people know that hip fractures can be fatal and there is an established timeline for surgery that is often ignored in many hospitals in Canada, according to leading orthopedic surgeons in their National Hip Fracture Toolkit released last year.

B.C. to change care for elderly–

The B.C. Liberal government unveiled sweeping changes Tuesday to its approach to seniors’ care, announcing a plan it says will help seniors stay in their homes longer, protect them from various types of abuse and pro-vide them with tools to more easily access information and services.

Changes in the Elderly: Pain, Temperature and Hunger–

As we consider sensory changes that occur throughout the aging process, it is important to remember the subtle differences that will manifest and how they might affect a patient’s participation in therapy and daily activities, as well as his or her quality of life. My colleagues and I often notice that while we are usually warm, often uncomfortably so, in the treatment gym most of our residents are asking for the heat to be turned up or to have another sweater. In the summer, we want to turn up the A/C to full power while they want to sit in the sunlight.

SureWork Solutions–

Less Cost, More Care!

Less Cost, More Care!

Retirement Options Limited For Gay And Lesbian Seniors–

PORTLAND – As gay and lesbian people age, their need for retirement options mirrors those of the general population. But they often face unique challenges, especially when it comes to finding housing. For instance, some active-living retirement facilities don’t allow unmarried couples to live together. And some gay seniors fear a cold shoulder from staff or fellow retirees…

Ethnic-focused nursing homes put a Canadian face on filial piety –

Seniors, take heed–

One of Harper’s comments?
That he’s preparing to use the power of his majority government to make Canada’s retirement system financially sustainable.
“We have already taken steps to limit the growth of our health-care spending. … We must do the same for our retirement income system.”

Pension changes won’t kick-in without fair notice: PMO–

A brewing controversy over pensions has forced the federal government to blunt criticism that it plans to cutback on federally-funded plans like Old Age Security.

Men’s & Women’s Disabled Adaptive Clothing
Senior Elderly Care Clothing, Shoes & Slippers –

Now you can find Men’s & Women’s Senior Care Disability Apparel or Adaptive Clothing/Apparel that goes on quick and easy!

Eldercare: What we know today –

Canada has an aging population with a growing number of seniors (people aged 65 and older) who need support and care. As a result, when data were collected for a second time (2002 GSS), the focus shifted to care provided to seniors. The findings suggested that aging Canadians need assistance, and that family and friends provide help despite growing work and family demands.3 However, while Canadians are willing to help out their family and friends, caregiving duties have consequences that impact caregivers’ work, health and family.

To live longer, shop more, study suggests –

Retail therapy does more than soothe the soul — it could also be a sign of long life for elderly people, according to a new study.

Green tea drinkers less frail, more independent in old age–

(CBS) Is green tea the elixir of immortality? The brew has long been thought to have health benefits ranging from improving mental alertness to treating stomach disorders to preventing various cancers. A new study looked at whether green tea consumption minimizes frailty and disability in the elderly.

7 mistakes retirees make repeatedly–

Despite the best of intentions, retirees tend to make the same money mistakes over and over and over again.

Some practical pointers on recognizing the signs of caregiver burnout and preventing it.

Is it old age or Alzheimer’s? Study alarms health-care experts–

“I’m just having a senior moment.” It’s a phrase uttered so often in our aging population to explain away lapses in memory that it has become part of the everyday lexicon of language.
But for the Alzheimer Society of Canada, it’s a throwaway phrase that goes to the very heart of a worrying trend. According to a study released Jan. 4, far too many Canadians are living in denial, dismissing symptoms of dementia as “just old age”….

Half of elderly in residential care on anti-psychotic drugs –

Just over 50 per cent of elderly patients in British Columbia residential-care facilities were prescribed anti-psychotic drugs over a two-month period last year, according to a report commissioned by the provincial government.
And the most commonly used anti-psychotic drugs were “atypical” medications – drugs developed over the past few decades that have been linked to serious side effects, including strokes and heart attacks, and that Health Canada in 2005 said were not approved for use in elderly people with dementia.

Tax Tips for Caregivers: Claiming a Parent as a Dependent –

It isn’t just time, but money that most caregivers donate to help maintain the ones they love. When tax time rolls around, you may be able to claim your parent as a dependent on your income taxes. This would allow you to get an exemption for him or her….

Elder Abuse – It’s Time To Face The Reality–

Video

Seniors at risk of catching infections in ER–

Hospital emergency rooms can cure what ails an elderly person, but they can also send them home with an unwanted souvenir of their visit: an infection.
A new study suggests emergency departments may be a source of infections for seniors who turn to them for care, and a potential starting point for some of the infectious outbreaks that make their way through long-term care facilities…

Study suggests elderly patients be quarantined after ER trip–

A hospital emergency room might not be the best place for the sick and elderly.
The risk of acute infection — mostly respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses — following a trip to the emergency room is three times higher among the elderly, according to a study published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal….

Home Of The Senior News–

Caring and Caregiving During the Holidays: 6 Considerations for Families of Alzheimer’s or Dementia Patients–

With almost half of all individuals over the age of 85 suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, it’s likely that you’ll be coming into contact with someone suffering from this or another dementia this holiday season. Whether your loved one is a relative or family friend, you’re probably wondering what to expect — and how to act — during your time together.

Calgary volunteers wrap gifts for ‘forgotten’ seniors–

Dozens of Calgarians gathered to sort and wrap thousands of gifts for seniors over the weekend.
The program — called Seniors Secret Service — lines up volunteers with seniors who wouldn’t otherwise receive a gift.

Today’s Senior News Magazine–

Senior Recipes–

Nutrition and the Elderly–

Eating well is important at any age. But health issues and physical limitations sometimes make it difficult for seniors, the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, to get the nutrients they need for a balanced diet. Poor nutrition and malnutrition occur in 15 to 50 percent of the elderly population. But the symptoms of malnutrition (weight loss, disorientation, lightheadedness, lethargy and loss of appetite) can easily be mistaken for illness or disease….

Too many Canadians ignore early signs of dementia–

The signs can sometimes be hard to distinguish from the regular hallmarks of aging, but a new survey says Canadians wait far too long before checking out the early stages of dementia.
Close to half of the 958 caregivers surveyed said their loved ones afflicted with the condition had gone for more than a year with symptoms of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia before seeking medical care.

How to Care: Pressure Sores–

Pressure sores or bed sores are painful skin ulcers that form when constant pressure on a part of the body shuts down the blood vessels feeding that area of skin. The resulting damage first appears on the skin surface as a red or dark patch. As the pressure sore progresses, the skin will break down to form blisters, dead skin, and ultimately infect underlying tissues, bones and joints. As little as two hours of sustained pressure will trigger skin damage. Skin damage can also be exacerbated by friction and moisture. The surface damage is just the tip of the iceberg; the real damage lies beneath the skin….

Being a Caregiver–

As a caregiver, you may be eligible for various forms of assistance from the Government of Canada. Service Canada has established a list to help you prepare for this role.

Caregiver Support–

The following are useful Canadian and international caregiving websites and government sites of interest on health services and resources….

Senior Activities – Stimulating Mind and Brain Games for Seniors–

Recent attitudes and studies regarding the benefits of stimulating mind and brain games has led to research that indicates various forms of dementia can be slowed by stimulating brain activities…

Close Relationship With Caregivers Slows Alzheimer’s–

A group of Utah State University researchers and colleagues at Johns Hopkins University, Duke University and Boston University have demonstrated that the rate of clinical progression of dementia may be slowed by a close relationship with one’s caregiver. The findings will be published in the September 2009 issue of “The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences” by Oxford Journals…

Caregiver stress fact sheet–

Hiring In-Home Help–

Most family caregivers reach a point when they realize they need help at home. Tell-tale signs include recognizing that your loved one requires constant supervision and/or assistance with everyday activities, such as bathing and dressing. Caregivers also find that certain housekeeping routines and regular errands are accomplished with great difficulty or are left undone. It may become apparent that in order to take care of any business outside the home, more than one caregiver is required….

Restrictions eased for 10,000 foreign caregivers–

The federal government recently issued at least 10,000 open work permits for caregivers from other countries, CBC News has learned.
The permits allow the caregivers to continue to work in Canada, without being tied to the family that sponsored them to come here. Many caregivers have complained about alleged mistreatment, long hours for little pay and poor work conditions….

The Top Five Tips to Buying Winter Clothing for an Outing With the Elderly–

Hospice or Hospital? What Works and When?–

The Remarkable Benefit of Flowers on the Emotional Health of Seniors–

Keeping Elderly Parents Engaged and Happy: Quality of Life Issues–

Quality of life means living a well-rounded lifestyle. It means social interaction and physical activity that help maintain independence. Whether the parent lives in an assisted living facility or at home with the help of home health care workers, he or she needs enough mental, physical, and emotional stimulation to remain engaged in the process of living.
According to the National Institute on Aging, boredom and depression can lead to forgetfulness, and the American Academy of Family Physicians points to inactivity as one of the reasons many elderly fail to thrive….

Less Cost, More Care!

The Top 10 Health Care Mistakes Made By the Elderly–

Americans are living longer than ever before, but many older Americans could better deal with their health problems, according to the Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA). To help the elderly stay healthier longer, the IHA has identified the 10 most common mistakes older Americans make in caring for their health….

Growing Old in America: Expectations vs. Reality –

Getting old isn’t nearly as bad as people think it will be. Nor is it quite as good.
On aspects of everyday life ranging from mental acuity to physical dexterity to sexual activity to financial security, a new Pew Research Center Social & Demographic Trends survey on aging among a nationally representative sample of 2,969 adults finds a sizable gap between the expectations that young and middle-aged adults have about old age and the actual experiences reported by older Americans themselves.

13 Secrets that Make Caregiving Easier–

Caregivers struggle with their jobs every day. As one issue is solved, a new challenge arises. When caregivers take care of an elderly family member, the roles are reversed. Now the caregiver is the “adult” and must find the best way to “get through to” an elderly parent….and to understand their needs.
These concepts can help get you in the right “mindset” for caregiving – and we hope make your life a little easier.

How to Handle an Elderly Parent’s Bad Behavior –

We’ve compiled the top 10 bad behaviors that elderly parents exhibit, along with some tips for coping with them….

What You Need to Know About Seniors and Vision Loss–

When we think of vision loss at all, it feels as inevitable as gray hair and wrinkles – what’s a grandma or grandpa without a pair of reading glasses or bifocals?
So it may surprise you to learn that aging vision is a significant cause of depression in seniors. And not only that, but vision impairment may be related to earlier death….

For Seniors: How to Know What You Can Do with Your Computer–

If you’ve never owned a computer and now have one for the first time, figuring out what your computer can and can’t do may be a somewhat daunting experience. The following list walks you through some things you can use your computer to do…