Category filter: Caregiver Resources

  In my previous column, we met Mr. Tinsel and discussed the importance of goal-setting as it relates to continued independence. If you missed the column, you can find it here. The seniors and family members I meet in my work all have unique circumstances leading up to a life transition. A common denominator is… Read more…

Happy New Year to everyone! Although I’m not a huge fan of making resolutions, I do like to reflect on the past year and think about a few possible goals for the year ahead. My biggest need and want is finding more time for me. Yes, it is very cliché not to mention a rather… Read more…

Summer is back, in all its glory. For some it also means an onslaught of heat-related issues, especially for seniors. Lethargy, dehydration, poorer sleeping patterns — just to name a few. We tend to take our body’s ability to regulate itself during hot days for granted, and forget that as we age, we are at… Read more…

When my father had his first of three strokes, a defining moment in how he was cared for is forever etched in my memory. We were having a family dinner and, wanting to be helpful, I took the liberty to cut Dad’s meat in small pieces so that he wouldn’t have to struggle with one… Read more…

Last night, I was reading a book to my daughter about a little rabbit who insisted that the other rabbits could have a piece of her carrot cake only if they met certain criteria. Of course, the criterion established by the rabbit was ridiculous, i.e., be all brown with a white tail, be able to… Read more…

Do you face challenges with your sight, speech or hearing? Is getting yourself dressed, eating and getting around feel harder each day? Have you noticed changes with your bladder and bowel function? While you might be painfully aware of the physical and cognitive changes you or a loved one is facing, you may not be… Read more…

  One of best decisions I made last year was to have a professional prepare my income tax. I was recently reminded of the stress income tax time created for me and those within arm’s length during a consult with an 85-year-old widow last week. She called me initially to discuss her increasing need for… Read more…

I returned from holidays to learn we had several new clients, many of which were initiated by out-of-town family caregivers. Statistically, 22 per cent of family caregivers provide care to aging loved ones long distance. Many out-of-town adult children are taken aback to see how much a parent has declined mentally, physically or emotionally from… Read more…

A big thanks to BC Housing for responding to my column on falls and the elderly by providing details on a new program for low-income seniors to make home modifications for continued independence. Would a new ramp, handrails or walk-in shower help you maintain your independence at home? BC Housing’s new Home Adaptations for Independence… Read more…

  One of the main reasons family members take on the role of caregiver is because they love their aging loved ones and they want to help them with a better life and prolonged independence. Sometimes though, the rewards of caregiving are outweighed by the stress, physical and emotional work, which invariably leads to burnout.… Read more…