Respite means Rejuvenation
Family caregiving is a part of daily life for many. It’s been said that over three-quarters of all caregiving is done by family members. Caregiving is a demanding, sometimes very difficult job and no one is equipped to do it alone. If you are doing it alone, consider some respite as a break that you deserve. It’s hard to step back and take a real objective look at a situation when we are so deep in it. So respite care can provide that short term break that relieves stress, restores energy, and promotes some balance in your life. Respite care doesn’t mean that you are dodging...
Read MoreTop 10 greatest things about aging
“Life is a country that the old have seen, and lived in. Those who have to travel through it can only learn the way from them.” – Joseph Joubert Aging is great! We all do it, albeit at seemingly different rates, and we share this trait with each other with varying levels of grace. Wouldn’t it be great to celebrate aging more? Well, I’m not willing to stand by and wait … So here is a list of greatest things about aging, with tongue firmly placed in cheek, for you to enjoy: 1. Time. You have much time to enjoy, or do whatever you please with. All those fun and interesting things...
Read MoreMaking Dreams Come True
Back in summer we wrote about ‘Celebrating Aging’. In that column I wrote about the Dream On Seniors Wish Foundation and how the mission of this foundation is to make the dreams of seniors come true; to celebrate aging. Well, that isn’t the end of this chapter. During the summer, we at Nurse Next Door had the opportunity to team up with Vancouver Island University (VIU) in Nanaimo, with their MBA Program specifically, and raise awareness and funds in the community. The vehicle for the fundraising was a great idea proposed by VIU – an event based on the TV show ‘The Apprentice’,...
Read MoreLoss and Grieving
Three of our longer term clients passed away recently. They were wonderful people and will always be in our memory and a special part of our company’s history. They also made us think of the loss and grieving process in more depth. Grieving has five stages. Although everyone who goes through bereavement will experience all stages, the amount of time spent in each stage, as well as the order in which each stage is experienced, will differ by individual. The five stages are: Denial and Isolation The first reaction to learning of terminal illness or death of a loved one is to deny reality....
Read MoreCelebrating Aging
You know what’s really amazing? It’s something that we all share! Aging. Ok, I’m being a bit facetious here … but isn’t it about time we started celebrating aging more? I mean, we’re all doing it at an alarming rate (especially over the age of 25 when time seems to speed up)! I’m not talking about a STAT day or anything (although June IS the only lonely month without a STAT…) – but celebrating aging with fun, every day! Well, as it turns out, one great new foundation is celebrating aging. The Dream On Seniors’ Wish Foundation aims to celebrate aging and make the dreams of...
Read MoreChanging Landscape of Care
Last month, the Canadian Home Care Association, which is considered the voice for home care in Canada, released the 2013 ‘Portraits of Home Care in Canada’ Report. Released every five years, this extensive report is a reflection of critical home care as a component of an integrated, person-centred health care system. Some of the key areas of focus in this report include governance, access, funding, service delivery, quality assurance, challenges and opportunities. Some of the staggering statistics that came out of the report follow: No. of individuals in Canada receiving home care in...
Read MoreWhen only you will do
Last article we looked at some best practices for family dynamics and planning for care of aging parents. And typically, what can happen during that planning process is that the parent declines outside help in favour of your help! Declining assistance outside of the family might come in a few different ‘packages’: • “Your mother and I are doing just fine on our own” • “Your father and I don’t want strangers coming in to our home” • “We have you around … Aren’t you able to help us?” (Ouch! Pulling at the guilt strings!) • “Maybe with you and a few of our...
Read MoreFamily preparations are key
Last month, we discussed the primary areas to consider when aging parents are on the cusp of needing some support to remain independent and safe at home. These included discussing expectations, managing at home, identifying additional services, future health wishes, finances, and of course, happiness. In this edition, we will take a deeper dive into the family preparations for upcoming care needs for aging parents. These are not necessarily your parents’ need to prepare, but as you will eventually find out either way, what you need to do as their son or daughter to prepare. And trust me...
Read MoreNew to Aging Parents?
Many of us are now starting to encounter the demands of ‘Aging Parents’. We love our parents of course, but we are busy at work, busy at home, busy with kids, busy, busy, busy. And when aging parents need help, they can’t (or won’t) take a back seat. Mom or Dad needs us right now, and it is more urgent than urgent! And no one else can help! Just us! As you might have guessed, this is quite common and probably deserves some attention sooner rather than later. So here are a few things to consider when aging parents start demanding more of your time due to health...
Read More