Welcome to
AgeCare's "Healthy
Living - News & Updates",
our information resource center for all families,
residents and staff who would like to keep up to
date on topics concerning their health and
our communities.
Our new site
changes often, so be sure to keep in touch with us!
If you have
any suggestions for topics please e-mail shussein@agecare.ca
and we would be pleased to feature that information.
Visiting and caring for a Parent with Alzheimer's Disease!
The Alzheimer Society of Canada has some excellent strategies on how to visit and care for a person with Alzheimer Disease. Some families are at such a loss, and this is an issue that touches 500,000 Canadians everyday.
When Visiting:
Choose a time to visit that is best suited to the person. Shorten your visit if the person is starting to show signs of being tired.
Communication is the key. Use gestures as well as words to round out your communication. Pace your conversation, allowing time for the person to think and respond.
Introduce yourself. If the person looks confused, identify yourself again and why you are visiting today.
Remember to laugh and be joyful. Recall fun events you both shared. Take pleasure in the smallest acknowledgment.
Be prepared to listed. People with this disease may want to share their feelings. Remain open and understand that every emotion and story is very real to them. Don't tell them that didn't happen.
Establish connections through common interests. Continue to do things like you did before - hobbies for example. Listen to music, take the time to find their new strengths and capitalize on those.
Show you care. We all communicate in different ways, through touch, smiling and non-verbal cues. If you are relaxed, then they will be relaxed. But be yourself.
Caring for the Caregiver (the spouse or extended family)
Let the person know you are always available to listen when they feel over-whelmed and need to talk.
Do little things - they mean a lot. If you are going shopping phone and ask if you can pick something up for them.
Five the caregiver a break, encourage them to look after themselves.
Provide a change of scenery to that person, make it so easy for them to join in they can't resist.
Phone them, e-mail them, send a note - anything will matter to them. This disease effects everyone in the family don't forget the all the people in the entire family.
Remember this is a long journey, please provide support anyway you can, for a long as needed.
:
Living a Healthy Lifestyle is just a click away!
Here are some helpful links for free information
for you and your family:
Eating Well with the Canada Food Guide:
Here you will be able review the Canada Food Guide and create your own meal plan.
Canadian Guidelines for Weight Classification in Adults:
Everyone
has an opinion on what is the ideal weight for an adult.
Check for yourself and determine if you are where you should
be and want to be, based on what the experts say.
Understanding the Alberta Supportive Living Model vs Continuing Care
Designated Assisted Living or Supportive Living is a great housing
option for many people today, but understanding the option
can be a bit daunting. Here are some valuable links that
may support you as you inform yourself about Supportive
Living and Designated Assisted Living. Also there is information regarding the difference between Designated Assisted Living and Continuing Care.
Your Aging Parents: How to Prepare and How to Cope
We would like to introduce you to a new publication created through experience
and understanding by experts in the field. This book is created for those who are in
the "sandwich generation" and would like valuable information that is relevant to our Canadian seniors.
The information and
activities in each chapter will help readers to think about
specific concerns and anxieties they may have regarding
older adults in their life.
