Age is no barrier to romance, and seniors can infuse their lives with passion and connection just as much as any other age group. Here are some heartwarming ways for seniors to keep the flame of romance alive:
Explore Shared Hobbies:
Engage in activities that both partners enjoy. Whether it’s dancing, painting, gardening, or learning something new together, shared hobbies can strengthen the bond and bring joy to the relationship.
Romantic Dates:
Plan special dates that celebrate the love you share. It could be a cozy dinner at a favorite restaurant, a picnic in the park, or a scenic drive. The key is to create moments that foster connection and intimacy.
Reignite the Spark with Memories:
Reflect on cherished memories together by revisiting the place where you first met or looking through old photo albums. Nostalgia can evoke strong emotions and remind you of the journey you’ve shared.
Spontaneity and Surprise:
Surprise your partner with unexpected gestures, whether it’s a handwritten love note, a spontaneous day trip, or a surprise dinner. Small acts of kindness and thoughtfulness can go a long way in keeping the romance alive.
Communication is Key:
Open and honest communication is crucial. Take the time to express your feelings, desires, and dreams. Listening to each other fosters a deeper connection and ensures that both partners feel heard and understood.
Physical Touch:
Physical intimacy remains an important aspect of a romantic relationship. Holding hands, hugging, and kissing are simple yet powerful ways to express love and maintain a strong emotional connection.
Plan a Second Honeymoon:
Consider taking a trip together to rekindle the romance. It doesn’t have to be extravagant; even a weekend getaway can provide an opportunity to relax, unwind, and enjoy each other’s company.
Attend Relationship Workshops or Counseling:
Participating in relationship workshops or counseling can offer valuable insights into maintaining a healthy and fulfilling connection. Learning new communication techniques and relationship skills can enhance your bond.
Stay Active Together:
Engaging in physical activities together, such as walking, dancing, or exercising, not only contributes to your well-being but also fosters a sense of togetherness.
Embrace Technology:
Use technology to stay connected, especially if physical distance separates you from your loved one. Video calls, emails, and social media can bridge the gap and keep the lines of communication open.
And while there is no guarantee of romance, Carefor’s two retirement homes in Pembroke are great places to build your social connections. There’s always something going on at Carefor Civic Complex and Mackay Centre that bring people together, from bingo to trivia to arts and crafts, there are dozens of ways to meet and connect with friends.
Keeping the romance alive for seniors involves a combination of shared experiences, open communication, and genuine expressions of love. By embracing these tips, seniors can continue to nurture their relationships, creating a fulfilling and enduring connection that stands the test of time.
With warmer temperatures creeping in, the natural urge is to spend more time outdoors enjoying it. Everyone wants to feel the sun on their face, tend to their gardens, go for walks, and have those sweet summer moments. While being outdoors and spending time in the warmth and fresh air is good, there are some things that should be considered for seniors spending continual time in warm summer weather. Listed below are some tips and precautions for staying safe while enjoying the summer sun and warmth.
Optimal Time of Day: The best times of the day to be outside are those when the sun will not be shining down directly onto you. For example, if you plan to have an outdoor activity, have it be in the morning, or evening times.
Taking Breaks to Cool Off: If you plan to spend as much of your day outdoors as possible, make sure you have an air-conditioned area close by that you can pop into for breaks to bring your body temperature back down. This will prevent over-heating, dehydration, and exhaustion.
Stay Hydrated: It’s important to remember to stay hydrated if you’re spending prolonged time in the heat. Drinking things like water, clear juices, and other liquids that do not contain alcohol or caffeine. Liquids with caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, they will cause you to urinate more and dehydrate you. For this reason, it is crucial to stick to clear liquids without these contents when spending time in the heat.
Choosing the Proper Attire: When spending time in the heat, it is important to dress accordingly. This means wearing light, airy, light-colored clothing. This will prevent heat absorption. In addition to this, it is best to wear a wide brimmed hat to shield yourself from the sunrays.
By combining these tips, you will be prepared to safely spend time in the summer sun. Just remember, if after spending prolonged periods of time in the sun and/or summer heat, you feel unwell, please seek medical attention.
As we grow older, maintaining a healthy mind is just as important as maintaining a healthy body. With Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month upon us, there’s no better time to explore the different ways we can keep our cognitive health in check. Aging may bring about a number of changes, but with the right tools and mindset, we can ensure a healthy aging process and prevent cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease. In this blog, we’ll discuss five simple ways to boost your cognitive health and promote healthy aging and Alzheimer’s prevention.
Control Your Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Levels
High cholesterol and high blood pressure increase your risk of heart disease and stroke, which can contribute to the development of memory loss, or even different types of dementia. Good cardiovascular health (healthy blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure levels) as well as maintaining a healthy weight is associated with increased cognitive function. This is a key factor in Alzheimer’s prevention.
Eat a Healthy Diet
The things you put into your body make a big difference in your cognitive and remembering abilities. Vitamin-rich foods will maintain and improve cognitive function, while foods that are high in saturated fats can negatively impact memory and other brain function. Following diets such as the MIND (Mediterranean Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) Diet could maximize the positive effects on brain function, and in turn, prevent Alzheimer’s. This diet includes foods from 10 brain-healthy food groups: green leafy vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, olive oil and wine. It also limits five unhealthy food groups: red meats, butter, cheese, pastries, sweets, fast and fried foods.
Get Regular Exercise
Through regular physical activity, blood flow to the brain is maintained, and in turn, reduces your risk of conditions such as high blood pressure which is associated with developing dementia. By promoting a physically active lifestyle in older adults, one-third of dementia cases worldwide could potentially be delayed. For this reason, it is important to continue an active lifestyle throughout your life, and into the years when dementia is a possibility.
Stimulate Your Mind
Keeping your mind busy through a mentally stimulating job or hobby could help your brain to build up a cognitive reserve; meaning that even if you develop a brain disease or other challenges, your brain will still have the ability to function properly. Another way to stimulate your mind is by consistently learning new things and teaching yourself new skills and hobbies. Continuing to adopt new skills and technologies has the potential to reduce or delay the cognitive decline and changes that come with aging.
Socialize More
Staying in touch with, and actively engaging and seeing friends and family has positive impacts on the brain. The stimulation that comes with discussing life and seeing people outside of your immediate circle is beneficial to delaying cognitive decline. Seniors who experience consistent social engagement will have a lower risk of dementia than those with consistently low social engagement.
Carefor offers various programs and services that can assist your loved ones in all the above categories, especially with exercise, socialization, and brain stimulation. Some of these programs include the Adult Day Programs, the Vince Malette Functional Fitness Program, and the Let’s Get Together Program to name a few. To learn more about our programs visit https://carefor.ca/services/respite-services.
These healthy aging tips do not definitively guarantee that by following these guidelines, you will not develop Alzheimer’s. However, if you implement these practices into your daily lives, the chances of Alzheimer’s progression is much slimmer.
Caregiving can have its pros and its cons. On the positive side, you are caring for someone you love, and assisting them to navigate a challenging chapter of their life. On the negative side, you may become so consumed in being a caregiver that you forget to take care of yourself, and in turn, burn yourself out. For this reason, it is important to consider ways to combat and prevent caregiver burnout.
5 ways to prevent caregiver burnout:
Take advantage of local and online supports. There are numerous programs and services in the community and online (through social media) that can help you. Here are just a few:
Know your limits. Identify what makes you feel uncomfortable or distressed – these feelings are often an indicator that we are pushing our boundaries. If you continue to overextend and overcompensate, it can lead to burn out, which is worse than just having a conversation to set clear boundaries.
Set realistic goals and accept that you may need to reach out to others for assistance. There is nothing wrong with seeking help where it’s needed. One person cannot do everything alone. If you feel that the care load is becoming too much, it could be a wise idea to consider things like home care, or a visiting companion. Carefor has many services to support you with your caregiving journey in home and in the community.
Stay healthy by eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
Join a caregiver support group, either in person or online.
By implementing these 5 tips into your life as a caregiver, you’re taking necessary steps for yourself to avoid burning out from your caregiving role.
Your feet carry you where you want to go in the journey of life. For this reason, it is important to keep them clean, healthy, and taken care of. Keeping an eye on your feet is crucial, especially with seniors as it your foot health can give you early warnings of serious health concerns such as diabetes, arthritis, and poor blood circulation.
Signs of unhealthy feet may include, and are not limited to…
- Dryness and Cracking: which can lead to skin infections, as well as corns and calluses.
- Constantly Cold Feet and Toes: circulatory problems, potentially caused by diabetes.
- Swelling: infection, neuropathic arthropathy, deep vein thrombosis, and arthritis.
- Thick and Discoloured Toenails: nail fugus, injury, and anemia.
Let us help you keep them healthy along the way! Carefor’s foot care clinics are now accepting new clients across Ottawa! There is one location in the East end, and one in the West end.
Our specially trained foot care nurses provide personal foot care including…
- Comprehensive Foot Assessment.
- Cutting and filing of toenails.
- Treatment of ingrown nails, thickened nails.
- Paddings as necessary to improve comfort and mobility.
- Preventative foot care for high-risk clients with diabetes, arthritis, and circulation problems.
- Referral to doctors, podiatrists, chiropodists, or other health professionals as necessary.
- Health teaching.
With foot health, being proactive is essential. This is why we encourage seniors to seek out foot health, and visit Carefor’s foot care clinics, to ensure ultimate safety and health.
Locations:
West End Clinic 2580 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K2B 7H5
East End Clinic 760 Belfast Rd, Ottawa, ON K1G 6M8
Contact to schedule an appointment:
Clerical District Coordinator
833-922-2734 ext. 2158
The process involving the transition to retirement living has its complexities. There are multiple variables that require in-depth consideration. To make things a little simpler, here are three key points to pay attention to when considering different retirement home options.
- Location: Whether you are choosing a retirement home for yourself or a loved one, location is a very important thing to consider. Transitioning into retirement living can be a challenging time, however choosing a home in an area that is familiar or close to family and friends can help to bring ease to the situation.
- Costs and what they mean: Cost is one of the most important factors to investigate when choosing a retirement home. When discussing costs and various packages, it is a smart idea to review exactly what is covered in the outlined costs. Ask what is not included in the cost and what services may have additional fees. Once the cost break-down is clear, compare it to your monthly “living at home” expenses to properly formulate the decision if the home is a responsible choice financially.
- Recreation and Socialization: When moving a senior out of their home and into a new environment, it can be natural for them to withdraw and isolate as they may not feel comfortable around new people. Choosing a home with various activity and recreation options that align with your/ your loved one’s hobbies and interests can help encourage socialization and in turn keep you or your loved one from becoming lonely and isolated.
Carefor has three retirement/care homes in the Ottawa region that are in great locations, prioritize affordability and value the importance of recreational activities in the home. The Carefor Civic Complex and MacKay Centre are situated in the heart of Pembroke and the Ottawa Valley. These retirement homes have all the amenities of home with paved walkways, a courtyard, and flower/vegetable gardens at the most affordable prices in the Ottawa Valley.
Richmond Care Home is a unique retirement home for women living with dementia. It is a bungalow style 16-unit home that offers a quiet home-like setting where your mom will get the care and attention she deserves. All around, Carefor has your loved one’s best interests at heart and will ensure they feel at home. To learn more visit: carefor.ca/retirement.
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.
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
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.
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