Managing one’s stress can often be a struggle and it can have a large impact on one’s overall health. It is a great idea for seniors to develop ways to reduce stress in their lives.

Stress is caused by facing the day-to-day challenges we all face in life. This can be anything from getting to an appointment on time, finding ways to see grandchildren and other family members, remembering to take your medication, and or feeling unsafe in one’s home while living alone.

It is important to realize the signs of stress in your life and find ways to cope and ease those stresses. Stress can result in the feeling of being anxious, depression, loss of sleep, and forgetfulness. Here are some ways to reduce stress.

Melt away that Stress.

Get Creative: Finding ways to celebrate and use your creativity is a great way to reduce your stress. Whether it is completing a puzzle, painting, drawing, journaling, or listening to music while you clean the house or enjoy time in the sun. These are all great ways to relax and reduce stress.

Gather and Meet New People: Being social whether it is connecting with old friends and family or meeting new people at local senior clubs or community activities is a great way to reduce the feeling of being isolated and alone leaving one to feel safe secure and less stressed.

Exercise: Finding ways to become more active in any compacity will often result in a feeling of confidence and reduce feelings of depression and stress. Exercise that helps reduce stress can include walking outdoors, playing with the grandchildren, yoga, meditation, or swimming.

Stress can sometimes seem unavoidable but there are many resources to help reduce stress.

We, at Carefor, offer a diverse range of services whether you are living in your home a need a helping hand or looking for retirement living options at Carefor Civic Complex or Mackay Centre.

Residents at Carefor retirement homes are given a place to call homes via many programs and services. Living at Carefor provides our residents with the security of knowing help is there when they need it be it helping with cleaning, laundry, and medication administration. While living at Carefor seniors are also provided with three nutritious meals a day, and an extensive variety of entertainment and activities all of which help foster a sense of community and social connection between residents and Carefor team members. All of which help provide local vulnerable seniors a place to call home and relieve the stress of seniors and their family members. If you’re interested in reducing some of your stress, give us a call: 613-732-9993

As an organization that has been providing home care services to people in Eastern Ontario for over 125 years, the idea of “aging in place” is nothing new to Carefor. But recently the idea has become more popular with older adults with many of them planning their retirement around living in their homes for as long as possible. In so doing seniors are ensuring that they are surrounded by friends and family, and that their homes can withstand the changes needed to adjust to the needs that come with aging. In this month’s blog, we give tips and useful things to look out for when it comes to aging in place, and a thought as to when it might no longer be the best option.

Decision Time… where do you want to live?

When it comes to deciding where to spend the later years of your life there are many things to consider to ensure you can do so comfortably. With comfort in mind it is important to search for homes located close to public transit, emergency services, and/or close to family or relatives. Keeping the latter in mind, studies have shown that it is important to remain close to those with whom we hold social connections, be it, family members, or other adult friends. While moving closer to children or other supportive relatives may be a priority it may be beneficial to join clubs or visit senior centers to continue to build new relationships if the home you decide to age in is away from your current social circle.

Nest in your home

It’s important to make the adjustments needed to enjoy your home as long as possible. Much like a bird collecting twigs and bits of string, it is important to find and discover the things that will make your home livable as you age. These items may include many things such as

• The ability to install ramps to enter your home.
• Widening doorways to increase accessibility.
• Creating a bedroom/living space on the main floor of your home.
• Removing area rugs or other unneeded furniture.

While these items are all physical you may want to investigate technological improvements such as updated alarm systems, stair lifts, and elevators as well as inexpensive upgrades such as voice-activated devices that control your home’s climate, make phone calls, and set daily reminders.

With A little Help, Anything is Possible

Sometimes being able age in place requires some help from the outside. Throughout your community are services which can support you in being able to continue to live in your home. In the Ottawa Valley, Carefor offers meal delivery, non-urgent medical transportation and friendly visiting to name a few, which help older people continue to get that extra help should they have no other support.

While for many people aging in place is preferred, for some it’s either no longer an option nor the best one. Some might be unable to ensure their health at home or feel the effects of prolonged isolation. Retirement homes are obviously numerous in every community, but for those who might be continuing to live at home due to the cost of many retirement homes, the two retirement homes Carefor operates in the Ottawa Valley, Carefor Civic Complex and Carefor Mackay Centre are excellent options. Being the most affordable retirement homes in the Ottawa Valley with all-inclusive pricing makes Civic and Mackay excellent options for someone no longer able to age in place.

Ramona Osman, Carefor PSW

Once I went in to see a client whose wife was overwhelmed because she was told her husband had only a few days to live. She was angry and sad. All her emotions were there. I said to her I was there not only to care for her husband, and that I was there to care for her as well.

Just approaching her with those words made her feel so relieved, because I explained to her that even though her husband wasn’t responding to us, he could still hear us. I learnt this from my palliative course that she can tell him how much she loves him and how much she appreciated having him in her life.

I gave her husband a sponge bath and shaved him, and the client’s wife even mentioned that her husband looked like himself again, that he was a person who always shaved and kept himself groomed. She got me his favorite t-shirt and with her permission I cut it down the back like a hospital gown so it was easier to put on.

After I was finished cleaning him up, she laid down in bed with him. He died the next day. When I went for the visit the entire family was there and couldn’t stop thanking me for what I did for their mom and dad in their dad’s last moments when they needed it the most.

This is the happiness and satisfaction I get when I feel like I made a difference. This has happened on more than one occasion. Making a difference for a grieving family is priceless. It’s different because that word palliative means having a short time to live or actively dying to some people. Though I have had clients who were diagnosed palliative and are still not actively dying. They have lived for 5-6 years.

It’s important for a PSW to have palliative training because when you have the title Palliative PSW it means we are equipped with the knowledge of how to carry about our tasks in assisting the client and the family for the loss they may have coming, with empathy, dignity, compassion and love.

I became a PSW 25 years ago because I’d always liked helping people. I started off as a Health Care Aide then bridged to PSW, coming to Carefor 12 years ago. Six years ago, I decided to do my palliative training at Algonquin College, which was graciously made possible for us at no charge by Carefor. It is very gratifying to have these completed courses under my belt. Today around one-third of my clients are palliative.

It gives me satisfaction, and I hope when I get older if I need a PSW I will have a Ramona to look after me. I strongly believe in what goes around comes around. If I am kind and nice, smiling to my clients, when I am there needing care myself, I will have a person caring for me with compassion and empathy.

Before I came to Canada in 2009, I was working as an interpreter for the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Uganda. Upon moving to Canada in 2009, I enrolled in school to become certified as a PSW. As I was studying to obtain this certification, I worked as a housekeeper and a security guard.

I had heard about Carefor from a friend that I had gone to school with. She was working for Carefor at the time and told me about all the programs that Carefor had; one of those being the Inner City Health (ICH) program – a partnership between Carefor, Shepherds of Good Hope and Ottawa Inner City Health that supports people experiencing challenges with homelessness and alcohol dependency. I interviewed for a PSW position at this program and was hired promptly after finishing my education in December 2010. I have been working in this program ever since.

Working as a PSW at Carefor was a great experience. I was hired to work with vulnerable clients and was trained in areas such as medication administration, street drug recognition, psychosis management, mental health and homelessness, addiction, alcohol management, difficult behavior management, non-violent crisis intervention, and suicide crisis. Through my training and role as a PSW, I was always welcomed and supported by management and my fellow colleagues. The clients I worked with were friendly and patient as well.

One of my favourite parts about working at Carefor with ICH has been the individualized care we provide to clients, as well as the team culture we have in our program. In addition, the adequate tools, extensive assistance and education provided to staff allows them to do their job to the best of their ability. My team at Carefor has made me feel valued and appreciated. They have encouraged my personal and professional growth and development and have supported me in furthering my education in this area.

Currently, I am a Supervisor at Inner City Health. I oversee the daily staffing, scheduling, and coordination of work for all ICH programs. In addition to this, I conduct training, assessments, performance reviews, and oversee conflict resolution. Having the opportunity to grow professionally and into a supervisor position has made me feel deeply rewarded and fulfilled.

At Carefor, professional development is encouraged, and I appreciate all the help and support I have received here during my professional journey.

On May 12th, local radio station myFM handed out their community-voted Spirit Awards and the winner of this year’s Spirit Award for Favorite Health Care Worker is Carefor Pembroke Renfrew County Program Manager Jennifer St. Cyr.

 “I am so grateful for this award but truly couldn’t accept it without acknowledging the amount of effort the Care Teams at Carefor Civic Complex and Mackay Centre make daily to care for our residents,” commented Jennifer. ”I’m grateful for the care and enthusiasm they put into serving our clients.  I may be the manager, but when it comes to Carefor we are truly a team with a common goal of taking care of our clients. Often the clients see our staff more than their families and with that in mind, our team always tries to treat our clients like family. Throughout my time at Carefor I have witnessed the staff going the extra mile and truly making a difference in our clients’ lives, be it helping dress them up for Halloween or lending that extra helping hand to clients who need it most. So, thank you to the Carefor staff for making my role so rewarding.”

 Joining the Carefor team in 2018, Jennifer has been part of the leadership team for five years helping manage and operate Carefor’s two Pembroke locations, Carefor Civic and Carefor Mackay Centre, as well as helping oversee the operations at Carefor Richmond Care home in Ottawa. As someone who has been part of the world of senior care for over 25 years Jennifer fully appreciates the hard work each member of the Care Team puts into taking care of seniors living at Carefor retirement homes.

The Annual Carefor Maple Brunch and Dessert Competition made a sweet return on April 15th with two local businesses taking home winning trophies for Best Maple Dessert and the People’s Choice Award. This annual event is adored by people of all ages and features a maple brunch made by the Kitchen Eatery in Pembroke and a tasting of maple desserts made by four local competitors: Milano’s Petawawa, 7th Heaven Sweets, IFL Cookies, and The Kitchen Eatery. In the weeks leading up to this event competitors were supplied with local maple syrup generously donated by Mapleside Sugar Bush and gifts-cards donated by Pembroke No Frills to help offset the cost of competing.

This year we were honored to be joined by six judges ready to taste the Ottawa Valley’s best desserts: Petawawa Mayor Gary Serviss, Pembroke Mayor Ron Gervais, Myfm Representative Tabitha Given, No Frills Owners Steven and Julie Townsend, and Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski.

Our six judges put their taste buds to the test judging desserts on taste, appearance, and overall theme. The competition was tough, but they could only choose one with Milano’s Petawawa Pizza’s decadent Maple Walnut Cheesecake coming out as the winner. Close second were 7th Heaven Sweet’s Maple Crème Brule Macaron and IFL Cookie’s Spiced Maple Pecan Cookie.

While the esteemed panel of judges chose their winner, attendees got to work tasting sample versions of desserts made by local businesses that donated their time and efforts. In the end, for the second time ever, there was a tie for the People’s Choice Award. This year both Milano’s Petawawa and 7th Heaven tied for the People’s Choice Award.   

This event was made possible with the help of our event sponsors, Frank Carroll Financial and Pembroke Mitsubishi. The event space was donated by the Zion Lutheran Church in Pembroke. Maple Syrup for the event was donated by Mapleside Sugar Bush; and music for this event was performed by Blaine Sack,  Church Musician at Zion Lutheran Church.

We at Carefor would also like to thank everyone who came out and made this event a huge success. Together we raised just over $3,500 towards our Everyone Deserves a Place to Call Home campaign. With this funding, we will be able to help keep costs affordable for Ottawa Valley seniors who call Carefor Civic Complex and Mackay Center home. The Everyone Deserves campaign was created to help residents at Carefor Civic and Mackay access the holistic care they truly deserve. Through the funding of essential programs such as a full activities calendar, nutritious meals, and the peace of mind and security of knowing that help is there when they need it, be it help with medication or assistance from our Care teams. For more information on the Everyone Deserves a Place to Call Home campaign and how you can help visit everyonedeserves.ca 

Volunteering is a common activity that seniors will engage in as they gain more free time post-retirement. Volunteerism has the potential to improve health, relationships and skillsets. This is especially true for seniors who turn to volunteering as a productive and positive pastime. There are several benefits that seniors can experience from volunteering within the community.

5 Benefits to Volunteering for Seniors…

1. Volunteering prevents isolation and loneliness… A lack of social interaction can hinder good health, putting adults at risk for high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, obesity, and cognitive decline. By getting out and engaging with the community, seniors can reduce the likelihood of health issues that come with being lonely and isolated.
2. Increases physical activity… Maintaining physical fitness is an important aspect of staying healthy and independent as individuals age. Volunteering creates the opportunity to keep moving, be it serving meals, providing transportation, or offering companionship to someone who needs it.
3. Bridges the generation gap… Volunteering in the community can give seniors the opportunity to interact with younger generations, and in turn share important life lessons. On the flip side, seniors can enjoy new perspectives and energy that younger generations offer.
4. Promotes a feeling of purpose… In often cases, as individuals age and transition into retirement living, they may feel that they lack fulfillment. Volunteering offers a way to regain the feeling of purpose. It creates a goal to work towards and can encourage a resurgence of excitement for life.
5. Develop new skills… In older stages of life it is common to dwell within one’s comfort zone. This can lead to feeling stuck and bored, which can lead to cognitive decline. Volunteering opens doors to trying new things and new ways of thinking, and potentially exposes individuals to new passions they didn’t even know they had

Volunteering Opportunities at Carefor…

Carefor has benefited greatly over the years from the support and passion of our volunteers. There are many opportunities at Carefor for you and/or a friend. More information regarding the programs needing volunteers can be found under the services tab on our website. Or for additional information email Beth Monaco at BMonaco@carefor.ca. Here are some of our opportunities in the Ottawa region.

Ottawa

• Richmond Care Home
• Adult Day Programs (Carling ADP, Vince Malette Functional Fitness, PWR!Moves etc)

Pembrooke / Renfrew County

• Driver – Non urgent medical transportation
• Friendly Visiting – In person or virtual
• Volunteers for Special Events
• Recreation Volunteers (Civic and Mackay)
• Palliative visiting in the community
• Special Skills Volunteers (musicians, crafters, singers)

Although we may not be too keen about the rainy and damp April weather, it is important to keep in mind how thankful our gardens are for their chance to soak it all up before flourishing into bloom. With gardening season approaching, it is important to consider the benefits of gardening for seniors.

Right off the bat, gardening is a great activity for seniors as it gets them outside and into the fresh air. Some will think that gardening requires a plot of land, which comes with great work and effort, but in reality, it can be as much or as little as you want. Planter boxes, potted plants and more offer options for people not looking to make as much of a physical investment in their garden. But no matter what you do, there are great health benefits to gardening:  

• Reduces Stress – Gardening can reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety. It can increase a sense of fulfillment in times of feeling helpless.
• Strengthen Bones – When skin is exposed to sun, the body is prompted to produce vitamin D; this helps the body to absorb calcium, a mineral essential for bone building. The exposure to sunlight can also help to counteract bone decalcification, but don’t forget to wear your sunscreen and a hat.
• Helps you stay active – As we age, staying active replaces the concept of exercise. In gardening there are various motions that keep your body moving. Movements such as digging, pruning, pulling and lifting work muscles, and in turn increase strength, stamina, and flexibility.
• Experience Success – Gardening can be a very rewarding hobby, as the hard work eventually amounts to the growth of something new. Seniors witnessing the fruits of their labour will lead to a feeling of accomplishment, ultimately building confidence.
• Keep in touch with the Community – Visiting and contributing to a community garden will reap the above benefits with the added bonus of a chance to socialize with others who share similar interests. You can also join your local horticultural society or connect with other green thumbs online.
• Share it with your family – Gardens can be a great way to connect with your children and grandchildren as you teach, learn from one other and share the fruits of your labour.

Additionally, research has shown that gardening has several mental and physical benefits to those with Alzheimer’s as well. This is due to the fact that gardening is an activity that engages all the senses. Research shows that gardening therapy could even help people with Alzheimer’s recall pleasant long-term memories.

Carefor recognizes what gardens can mean to people and how they require consistent care and compassion. As an organization that supports seniors and people living with disabilities, and in turn their caregivers, we want to create a place in Ottawa that celebrates the importance of caregiving. This is why this spring we will be unveiling the Carefor Caregivers’ Garden in Strathcona park. This garden will be a testament to caring for those we love and the notion that although caregiving can be difficult at times, it brings joy, and comfort to our loved ones – much like the blooms of a garden after all the hard work of tending to it. We encourage you to create your own garden and use it as a tool to enrich the lives of your loved ones and become a place where love can continually grow.

Learn more about the Carefor Caregivers’ Garden at caregiversgarden.ca

I have been a nurse for 13 years now. The driving factor that drew me to nursing was the stability that this career provides. Through working as a nurse, I can connect with patients and help them on their journey to health; this is why I initially fell in love with the work. I have been lucky enough to spend 10 of my 13 years as a nurse with Carefor.

I joined Carefor in 2013 when I first moved to Ottawa. Up until that point, I had only worked as a nurse in hospitals. However, after hearing about Carefor and their outstanding reputation of high patient care, and flexibility in scheduling, I decided to make the switch from working in hospitals, to a full-time home-care nursing position with Carefor.

During my early days at Carefor, I worked as a visiting nurse, and soon began training to be a Wound Champion. Working in wound care has been extremely rewarding as it allows me to challenge myself through caring for complex wounds and in turn, improve my patients’ quality of life. After a few years of working in wound care, I decided to specialize in the area. Carefor offered abundant support as I worked towards obtaining the certifications needed for this specialty, as well as a Masters degree in Wound Healing. I would not have had the opportunity to pursue this education while working if it were not for the continual support from the nursing team at Carefor.

Beyond the encouragement that Carefor has offered me in enriching my credentials, they have also given me the chance to grow professionally, and move up in the organization. First being promoted to a nursing supervisor and then again as the Professional Practice Lead (PPL) in the Visiting Nursing Program. I was the first PPL in the nursing department at Carefor. The position was created to enhance and promote nursing career development and progression within the organization. The goal of having a PPL in nursing is to create and implement evidence-based and professional nursing practices to support the provision of quality care through development, coordination, and implementation of education/training for the staff.

Through this role I hope to use my passion for lifelong learning and my commitment to providing the best patient care to support fellow nurses through education and mentorship. I am also hopeful that my team members will recognize me as approachable and willing to help, and that in turn, can inspire them to do the same. Going forward, I hope to use what I have learned so far to continue to improve the state of Carefor’s Visiting Nursing Program.

My time at Carefor has allowed me to reach many of my career goals. I have been able to dedicate time to supporting the patients who need me, as well as transition into leadership roles within the nursing department. When it comes to professional growth, Carefor is certainly supportive, and I feel extremely fortunate and grateful to be a part of this organization.

We at Carefor Health & Community Services have spring fever and are excited to bring you some handy tricks and recommendations for healthy senior living this spring. From dressing for the weather to dealing with seasonal allergies, or staying hydrated, don’t forget to create healthy habits to live a healthier life.

Layer Up and Down

We all remember those days when we didn’t want to pack that extra sweater or put on those gloves but these Ottawa Valley Spring weather conditions can change on a whim. Some days seem like we should be laying out on the beach while others have us bundled up to our ears with the chills.

On those sunny days, it is important to remember to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes or try a fashion-forward wide-brim hat if you like, but remember not to block your vision when out for walks or spending time outside. Alternatively,  it is always wise to check the weather before venturing outside just because yesterday was bright and sunny doesn’t mean today will offer the same great temperature. On those cooler windy days try a windbreaker over your sweater to stay warm and don’t put the warm hats and mitts away just yet they are an easy way to regulate one’s body temperature outside. 

Seasonal Allergies

As we age many of us find ourselves dealing with more spring allergies than when we were younger. While going outside or opening windows may trigger these unwanted allergies it might be best to limit your time outside or keep any doctor or pharmacist-recommended allergy medications on hand for those high pollen days.

High on Hydration

With our activity levels increasing as the snow melts and the temperature rises it is key to remember to hydrate. Regardless of our age or time of year, it is crucial to remember to stay hydrated as studies have shown dehydration can have negative effects on memory and overall focus as well as increase fatigue.

In general healthcare providers recommend drinking at least 8 cups of water a day if you don’t like water, try herbal teas and freshly squeezed or juiced fruit and vegetable drinks. Though they may taste great it is also important to limit the number of sugary drinks like coffee and sodas.

Get in the Habit

Spring is the perfect time to start a new habit maybe it is crosswords on the front porch, walking around the block, building news, or continuing regular visits with friends. What is important is to stay active and stay moving. Many of the residents at Carefor Civic Complex and Mackay Center find that springtime is the best time to start getting out and enjoying the fresh air and visiting with other residents. Which we at Carefor fully support, with a fully loaded activities calendar, and multiple outdoor spaces that will be reopening when the snow has melted for the residents at Carefor to enjoy.   

As Ottawa Valley’s most affordable all-inclusive retirement home Carefor Civic Complex and Mackay Center it is our goal to make residents feel supported, reassured, and free to make choices that work for them through all seasons of the year. By providing high-quality care to vulnerable seniors living in Pembroke Carefor creates a place they can call home.