Category filter: Recognizing & Dealing with Health Issues

Protecting elderly loved ones from risk can be a difficult task

  “Let me show you how I get into my shower,” said Mrs. Johnson. Before I could explain that it wasn’t necessary, Mrs. Johnson (fully clothed) “jumped” into the shower. Mr. Johnson just looked at me as if to say, “Don’t bother trying to stop her.” Let me back up and explain a few things. Read more…

Signs the senior in your life may need more assistance

Last week, my dear friend Melissa from Toronto called me with some distressing news about her parents. Her Mom, who is but 70 years old, is showing early signs of dementia. Her Dad, who is 10 years older, is facing some major mobility issues due to chronic back pain. Needless to say, Melissa is, as Read more…

Ways to prevent falls for Comox Valley residents

It never ceases to amaze me the number of community resources and programs that are available in an area of interest. Falls prevention programs are no exception! Although not comprehensive, the following list is a good starting point for seniors and family caregivers on what’s available in the Comox Valley and other resources online. Fall-proof Read more…

Fall prevention for seniors

Elaine hasn’t slept well for the past week, so when the phone rings at 5:30 a.m., she doesn’t wake with a start. She’s not surprised when the person on the other end is the night care support worker at the assisted living facility where her Mom lives. This is the fourth call from the facility Read more…

Older adults at greater risk of being affected by hot weather and sun

  I thought if I wrote about summer and heat perhaps we would be blessed by actually having some warm and sunny weather in the Comox Valley. Wishful thinking… Having come back from three glorious weeks in the Ontario and Interior heat wave, our family spent every day outside in the sun. Transitioning from the Read more…

Keep updating medical data

I recently received a late-night phone call from a friend whose mother was in hospital after a fall. Needless to say, there was panic and uncertainty in her voice. I started asking some questions around the severity of her mom’s fall, if she was being admitted to hospital, and the physician’s diagnosis and possible treatment. Read more…

Home for the Holidays – Assessing Your Loved Ones

  Coming home for the holidays is for many caregivers a very joyous and special time. For some adult children, this visit might represent the first opportunity in several months or a year to personally interact with their aging loved ones. Most long distance caregivers rely on regular telephone conversations or by keeping in close Read more…

Following advice not magic bullet

The past few columns have dealt with the sticky topic of opening up the lines of communications with aging loved ones about future care and what role family members play in providing support and care. “So now what, Wendy?” This is exactly what a family friend, Mary, asked over the phone last week. She confided Read more…

Risk Assessment Not Simple

“I’ll do it, thank you very much. Just sit down and worry about that precious cargo of yours.” Gulp. What could I, a 36-week pregnant woman say to my 82-year-old widowed family friend, who insists on making me fresh tea, requiring her to wobble up and down the rickety stairs to the backyard patio? With Read more…

Osteoporosis: ‘the silent thief’

Make no bones about it, you are more likely to break a bone from osteoporosis than you are to have a heart attack, stroke or be diagnosed with breast cancer. Kim Hamilton is back to “break it” down for us and give great tips on how to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. Kim is Read more…

Helpful Videos

Caregiver Consultations: How We Help Frail Elderly Parents

Long Distance Caregiving

“You are amazing! What I tried to do in 2 months, you did in 1 week. You’ve helped us navigate the system, made sense of Mom’s disease, and gave back her independence and control. Thank you for making such a difference in Mom’s life and giving us, her family, complete peace of mind.”

– Mike G., Nanaimo, BC

READ MORE TESTIMONIALS