I’ve been a physiotherapist for nearly 30 years now. For the first 16 years I worked in private practice treating people dealing with a variety of challenges including those who had been in car accidents, work accidents and people dealing with chronic pain as well as supporting “weekend warriors”.

After that, I spent a few years exploring running my own practice and doing contract work. While I enjoyed the challenge of building up a business and being my own boss, I found it wasn’t as rewarding as I’d hoped.

Then I found home care and Carefor. I stumbled into it, really. My personal circumstances required a steady paycheque and steady hours at the time and Carefor offered those.  I really didn’t know anything about homecare or Carefor.  I soon realized that both were a good fit for me and over the last seven years I’ve seen that Carefor is a people first organization looking to grow through taking care of its people.

Switching to homecare from private practice was a tremendous learning opportunity.  Our clients have a remarkable breadth of conditions that they are managing, so we need a broad base of knowledge to be able to help them. Beyond that, Carefor supported staff development by providing on the job time to be mentored by other staff or providing time for staff to meet to discuss some of the challenging situations our clients faced.

Our Allied Health team (which physiotherapists are a part of) has almost doubled since I first began to work for Carefor.  It became clear that having a team member dedicated to supporting staff in keeping up to date and adopting best practices was needed, so the Professional Practice Lead (PPL) position for the Allied Health Team was created.  I applied and was selected.

While the position was created to support our team in applying best practices, the role goes beyond that. The PPL also gets to support the staff in pursuing their own professional development goals as well as playing a role in re-thinking how we meet the healthcare needs of our clients in the changing landscape of home and community care in Ontario.

The provision of healthcare in Ontario has suffered through the years through “silo-ing” of supports.  This can be felt acutely in the homecare sector.  I would love to play a role in connecting people and by connecting people, connecting those silos. Jovie Velasco, the PPL for Nursing, and I hope we are that link at Carefor. Through initiatives like interdisciplinary Best Practice groups and Carefor Rounds we can begin to strengthen the connections in the team.  If we have a stronger team, we’ll have better communication within the team and provide better care to our clients.

Taking on the role of PPL within a compassionately run organization has been a revitalizing time for my career.  Just like many other healthcare providers, I found the early days of the pandemic to be a tremendous challenge.   Stepping into this role where I am supporting other healthcare providers and influencing improvements within the organization has re-energized me.  I am no longer counting the years to retirement.

You have worked hard for your money and want to keep it safe. Unfortunately, there are people who want to part you from it and are using new and advanced ways of doing so.

You’ve likely received emails, text messages or phone calls from people or companies pretending to be someone or something they’re not. Often charlatans are easy to spot but there are those who are very skilled at separating you from your money.

Here are some things to consider when receiving an email, text or phone call:

1. Does it evoke emotion? If an email, text or phone call makes you panic it’s likely malicious. Cyber-criminals use fear to get you to take an action, like clicking on a link or opening an attachment. Beware of people creating a sense of urgency or making your feel threatened. They’re trying to get you to act before you think.
2. Is it money related? Is the message saying you owe money to the gas company, CRA, etc? Often scams involve either threats to the money you do have or provide you opportunities to save a lot of money on things you might want. Remember that if it’s too good to be true, it usually is.
3. Is it romance related? Sometimes cyber-criminals will prey upon elderly people’s loneliness. Has a message come from out of the blue? Be cautious. These criminals can try and get you to transfer or launder money by offering promises of love.
4. Is the contact information correct? There’s a technique cyber-criminals use call “spear phishing” where they send you an email making it seem like it’s from someone you know. Check the email address? Is it correct? If it seems suspicious, call the person or company to confirm.
5. Trust your gut. If it seems suspicious it often is. Things that are too good to be true, major problems that come out of the blue, these are all ways cyber-criminals get you. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
6. Stay informed. Cyber-criminals are always looking for new ways to cheat people out of their money so remember to stay vigilant and to stay up to date on the latest scam trends.

Unfortunately, seniors are often the target of cyber-criminal activity. Using these techniques as well as those found here can help protect you.

Many seniors think, “Who’d want to steal my information?” but there are those out there who do. Elderly people are unfortunately targeted so require extra thought and care to protect themselves, even in a place as friendly as Eastern Ontario. Whether you are receiving home care in Ottawa, community support services in Eastern Counties or living in one of our retirement homes in Pembroke, we want you to be safe.

Don’t be afraid, just smart and cautious as you’ll be surfing safely for years to come.

If you’ve lived in Eastern Ontario for a while, you know that winter comes with its challenges, the main one being how to stay warm. And with the cost of heating going up, how do you do it while not breaking the bank? .

Here are some quick ways we can stay warm through the winter while saving money:

1. Close your curtains. Heat often leaves through windows. Keeping curtains closed, especially at night helps keep heat in.
2. Don’t sacrifice food. Food not only keeps you healthy, it also keeps you warm. Eating less means less body fat which is important in keeping you warm.
3. Close off what you’re not using. Keep doors shut to rooms, seal windows and place towels under doors to keep the warm air where you need it.
4. Change or clean your furnace filter. Make sure the warm air can flow easily and isn’t making your furnace work harder.
5. Add more insulation. If you can afford it, increasing your insulation in your attic or basement can pay off.
6. Adjust your thermostat. A good rule is 17°C when you’re sleeping or not at home and 20°C when you’re home and awake.
7. Decorate for warmth. Make sure your furniture or a rug aren’t blocking vents.
8. Bundle up. We’ve likely said, “Put a sweater on” to our kids when they complained about the cold. Dressing in layers and keeping a blanket handy is a cheap and easy way to stay warm.
9. Check for spaces around windows and doors. Put your hand there. You’ll feel the cold coming in. If you feel anything, use sealant or weather stripping.

 

Another way you can deal with winter on a budget is to winter at Carefor Civic and Mackay Retirement Homes. Located in Pembroke, Civic and Mackay offer winter stays for people who are looking for a break from winter responsibilities.

Carefor Civic Complex and Mackay Centre are the two most affordable retirement homes in the Ottawa Valley with all-inclusive pricing. What’s more, a community awaits. With friendly and professional staff ready to make you feel welcome and a group of seniors looking to make friends, Carefor Civic and Mackay are terrific options for someone looking to winter their worries away. Or to stay longer.

If you’d like to know more, visit www.carefor.ca/retirement or call us at (613) 732-9993

 

https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/spotlight-energy-efficiency/2020/11/05/winter-coming-top-tips-heat-your-home-for-less/23141 

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cold-weather-safety-older-adults 

The end of the year means many things to all of us. Often, we think of time spent with family and friends celebrating the season or thinking of the year that’s been. What the end of the year is also, is a time to start thinking about the upcoming tax season. 

While the 2023 tax deadline isn’t until the end of April, the deadline for donations is on December 31st of this year, which makes it a busy time for donors to get those last-minute donations in. For some it’s an annual tradition; for others it may be the first time. Let’s look at some tips and tricks to help you leverage charitable giving to reduce your taxes.

1. Are you a first-time donor? If so, a first-time donor super credit is available to you. It provides an additional 25% credit on donations up to $1000. You are considered a first-time donor if you have not claimed the Charitable Donation Tax Credit (CDTC) in the past five tax years.
2. Do you and your spouse share a bank account from which you make donations? You can give up to $200 to receive the credit at the lowest tax rate. Donations higher than $200 have the credit calculated at a higher rate.
3. Do you have stocks? When you dispose of shares, you’re usually taxed at the capital gains rate. For example, if you purchased shares for $80 and sold them for $100, you have a capital gain of $20 and pay tax on 50% of that, or $10. But if you donate these shares to a charity, there may be an inclusion rate of 0% if you didn’t receive an advantage for the gift. It may be better to donate your investments directly than sell them to donate the cash, to avoid paying tax on the capital gain. 

If you already have a charity that you give to at the end of the year, that’s great. They’re lucky to have you. Carefor is grateful to those who donate to us, whether one-time, annually or monthly.

 

Donating to Carefor benefits both you the donor and Carefor the charity.  Any cash donation to Carefor received this year and before December 31, 2022, means you may receive as much as 53% back through charity tax deductions. 

For even more impact on your tax savings, stocks, and other publicly traded securities such as mutual funds and bonds may also be donated to Carefor.  This allows you to eliminate the capital gains tax and still receive a tax receipt for the fair market value (this is calculated the day it is received by our broker so a few weeks before the end of December is best).

Of course, we don’t always have a lot of disposable income in December which is why we encourage our wonderful donors to spread out their donations over the year through our monthly giving program.  If you were to donate $100 per month (as an Ontario resident) then your tax credit eligibility is $441.70.

While donations to Carefor can benefit you, the end goal is to benefit seniors and people living with disabilities lead better lives. Donations to Carefor can help significantly with training for our homecare staff; subsidies for seniors who can’t afford some programs and services such as transportation and adult day programs for people with dementia; making sure low-income seniors have housing they can afford; and providing meals to isolated seniors.

We encourage you to speak with your financial planner to find out what is best for you and your family. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Carefor.

 

Disclaimer: This was written as a general article, percentages and tax credit eligibility may differ depending on different financial situations and household income.

A dementia diagnosis can be an extremely emotional time for any family. You may feel relieved in finally receiving a diagnosis to explain recent changes you had been seeing in yourself or a loved one. Alternatively, you may be feeling anxious and scared for what the future now holds. Knowing where to turn for advice and being able to formulate a plan for your next steps can help you feel supported and not alone.

The first and most important step has already been made for you: receiving a diagnosis. Whether you were expecting it or not, the news will likely be upsetting and you may experience a range of different emotions in the days and weeks following the diagnosis. We hope that the information below will help you focus on tangible things you can do to ease your anxieties.

Learn more about dementia

Educating yourself about the progression of dementia and how it will affect your loved one’s actions and behaviour will help you create a care plan that preserves their independence and dignity. You can connect with organizations, such as the Alzheimer Society of Canada or The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, to access useful resources and learn more. Share this information with your friends and family members, and other people close to your loved one, to help them better understand the situation.

Explore treatment options

Sadly, there is no current cure for dementia. However, there are medications that can help to slow the effects of this debilitating disease. Discuss treatment options with your loved one’s doctor to learn about the risks and benefits of different medications.

Understand that caregiving can affect your own health

There is such a thing as ‘caregiver stress’, which can affect you both mentally and physically. Recognizing the signs of caregiver stress and taking steps to minimize them ensures that both you and your loved one are well taken care of. Taking advantage of community programs that can support you and provide relief from your caregiving duties can be hugely helpful.

In Ottawa, our day programs and the Respite House offer people living with dementia the chance to get out of the house and connect with other people – to dance, bake and share a laugh. These programs are a great way to reduce caregiver stress by giving you respite.

Reach out to organizations that can help you

Organizations, such as Carefor, can provide assistance to those living with dementia and their caregivers. Our Adult Day Programs offer clients with dementia a chance to enjoy activities designed to enhance their well-being in a safe and supportive setting, while providing respite and support for care partners. Our Personal Support Services also provide help to clients in their own homes with tasks such as personal care, feeding assistance and grooming and dressing. You can find a selection of caregiver resources on our website here: https://carefor.ca/services/care-partner-resources

Build a support network

Becoming a caregiver for someone living with dementia can often feel very isolating. Forming a support network that you can rely on will help to combat this and stop you from feeling so alone. In addition to supportive friends and family members, connecting with dementia support groups or community organizations can provide a safe space for you to share your thoughts and feelings.

Plan for the future

Discuss and document plans for the future with your loved one and involve them in all decision-making processes. These could include their wishes for future healthcare and decisions about financial issues, such as legal or estate issues. Help your loved one identify someone who can make financial, legal, and medical decisions on their behalf when they are no longer able to.

If you are no longer able to care for your loved one living with dementia at home, you may need to make considerations for long-term care. Our Richmond Care Home, located 30 minutes outside of Ottawa, is unique in that it caters solely to women living with dementia. Offering top of the line memory care services at an affordable price, we can provide your loved one with the support and care she deserves in a quiet home-like environment. Learn more here: https://carefor.ca/services/richmond-care-home_1 

Did you know that November is Fall Prevention Month? Falls cause 85% of seniors’ injury-related hospitalizations, 95% of all hip fractures, and rack up $2 billion a year in direct healthcare costs. The numbers look shocking, but the good news is that falls can be prevented when the right action is taken. Arming yourself and your family with the correct knowledge now will help you minimize your risk of falling in the future.

We have put together some useful advice to help you keep your balance and prevent falls:

Protect your eyesight and inner ear

• Have your eyesight and hearing tested yearly
• Use good lighting and nightlights throughout your home
• Remove reading glasses before walking or using the stairs

 Avoid becoming dizzy

• Avoid sudden movements, such as getting up to answer the door or telephone
• Before walking, stand up and pause for ten seconds. Take one slow deep breath before you take a step.
• Talk to your doctor if you think some of your medications are making you dizzy

 Wear proper footwear

• Wear rubber or non-slip shoes that are secure on your feet with laces or Velcro
• Avoid walking in slippers, bare feet, or stocking feet

 Use recommended assistive devices

• Keep your walker or cane close at hand to steady your balance when walking
• Hold onto handrails or something sturdy, especially when reaching to the floor[ET1]
• Carry items in a basket, or on a small bag, attached to your walker
• Apply the brakes[ET2] before standing up or sitting down

 Stay active!

• People who are physically active are less likely to fall
• Ideas for staying active can include short walks around your home, taking the stairs, or standing up and sitting down
• Remember to pick up your feet when you walk

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among older adults in Canada. Approximately 20-30% of older adults fall each year. Knowing how to lower your risk of falling and what to do in the case of a fall are hugely important. Please bear these tips in mind to keep your balance and prevent yourself from falling to avoid injury.

Carefor provides a range of in-home care services for people who have limited mobility and have fallen, or are at an increased risk of falling. Our rehabilitation services include physiotherapy and occupational therapy to assess, evaluate, and treat any issues you may be having that are affecting your balance and strength. Learn more here: https://carefor.ca/services/rehabilitation-services. 

 

 

Over the past couple of years many of us have reduced our levels of activity. We’ve become a little more reclusive, more homebodies. This has especially been the case with seniors. At Carefor we’re seeing the effects of this with our clients with seniors requiring other supports like physiotherapy more frequently.

As we age, we have to make that extra effort to keep our bodies functioning not only to for the sake of our mobility but also our immunity. As autumn arrives, cold and flu season arrives with it, which means extra effort on our behalf to stay healthy. We’ve all become quite good at doing that recently but boosting your immune system is about more than just washing your hands and wearing a mask.

Here are a few of the ways in which you can boost your immune system this autumn:

Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet. A well-balanced diet includes a variety of vegetables, whole fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy, and a variety of protein foods. Fill your plate with immune-boosting foods packed with vitamins and minerals. Cruciferous vegetables such as kale, broccoli and cabbage are helpful immune-boosting foods for seniors.

Get plenty of rest. Poor-quality sleep or too little sleep greatly affects your immunity levels. Sleep is important to keep your body functioning properly and so you should be aiming to get at least 7 hours of good-quality sleep every night. If you consistently have trouble falling or staying asleep then you may be suffering with a sleep disorder and should talk to your doctor.

Hydrate! Drink plenty of water to flush out any toxins, help your body absorb nutrients and minerals, and keep yourself hydrated. Aim for 8 to 9 glasses of fluid per day. Keeping a filled water bottle with you to sip on throughout the day can be helpful in ensuring you are consuming enough fluids.

Get vaccinated. Complications from diseases such as the flu, pneumonia, and the coronavirus can be much more serious in older adults. Are you up to date with your vaccinations? If you aren’t sure, check with your doctor. Getting your annual flu shot will give you the best and healthiest start to the winter season.

Fresh air and sunshine! Sunlight is one of the best ways for our bodies to absorb vitamin D, which is vital for proper cognitive function, strong bones, and cardiovascular health. Vitamin D has also been proven to improve your mood and your sleep patterns. Luckily in the fall, the sun isn’t as hot or as strong so it may be easier for seniors to spend time outside. However, sun protection is still important, to lower the risk of skin cancer, so make sure to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin.

Get your body moving. 30 minutes of physical activity a day is recommended to keep your body running in tip top shape. Whatever is within your capabilities is perfectly acceptable, whether that is gentle stretching, a brisk walk, or swimming. You can find plenty of exercise videos specifically for seniors on YouTube, so you can work out from the comfort of your own home.

In Ottawa, Carefor’s new fitness program for people living with Parkinson’s Disease is showing remarkable outcomes. PWR!Moves helps seniors keep the neural pathways in their minds active to slow the deterioration of inactivity on the body and the mind. If you’d like to know more visit our website: carefor.ca/PWRMoves  

In Pembroke, our recreation team at Carefor Civic Complex and Mackay Centre retirement homes are working hard to keep residents active. Winters can be hard for this, so we’re offering winter stays at our  retirement homes to help people get out of the house for the winter, make some friends and keep busy. Find out more at www.carefor.ca/retirement 

Canadian winters are known to be long and frigid and can be especially dangerous and isolating for less mobile seniors. Another result of staying indoors is having less exposure to sunlight and, in turn, vitamin D. Vitamin D is an essential component of healthy aging and we need a higher dosage as we age. According to the Mayo Clinic, the recommended daily amount of vitamin D is 400 international units (IU) for children up to age 12 months, 600 IU for people ages 1 to 70 years, and 800 IU for people over 70 years. Many older adults are found to be lacking in this crucial nutrient, especially throughout the winter months.

Vitamin D can also play an important role in brain health and function and exert various neuroprotective effects in brain areas essential for cognition. Being severely deficient in vitamin D is associated with a more than twofold increased risk of developing dementia.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is called ‘the sunshine vitamin’ because it is made when a chemical in our skin comes into direct contact with sunlight. Throughout the winter, as the days get shorter and colder, we begin to retreat indoors and spend less time outside. Unfortunately, this results in having less exposure to the sun and our best natural source of vitamin D. During the winter, it is important to obtain the recommended daily amounts of vitamin D through food and supplements.  

Benefits of Vitamin D

There are many reasons why we need a sufficient amount of vitamin D in our bodies:

• Improves mental health and boosts cognitive function
• Promotes bone health and combats osteoporosis in older adults
• Protects oral health
• Improves cardiovascular health
• Can help to prevent cancers and infections
• May lower your risk of Parkinson’s disease

How to Get the Recommended Dose of Vitamin D 

As we know, sunshine is the best natural source of vitamin D. A 30-minute exposure should be enough to reach your daily recommended amount. Of course, sun exposure also heightens your risk of skin cancer so applying sunscreen is very important. In the winter you could invest in a UV lamp to reap the benefits of vitamin D without having to leave the house.

Supplements, such as cod liver oil, are a great alternative source of vitamin D. Additionally, cod liver oil is also high in other nutrients, such as vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids, which play a role in heart health.

 Other sources of vitamin D can be obtained through the food we eat, such as fatty fish like salmon, herring, and sardines, as well as canned tuna and egg yolks. Some foods are specifically fortified with vitamin D, such as milk, juice, yogurt and cereals.

Eating healthfully is important, which is why we make sure the residents at our retirement homes eat well. Carefor Richmond Care Home for women living with dementia and our Carefor Civic Complex and Mackay Centre in Pembroke know how important healthy and delicious food is. It’s not just a highlight of the day but helps seniors stay well.

 Find out more about our retirement options at www.carefor.ca/retirement 

Carefor’s transformational shift during a time of great change

Steve Perry
CEO

Few aspects of our society evoke the response that healthcare does. It affects us all without regard for age, financial circumstances, skin color or religious beliefs. The creation of a system that satisfies the needs of all who use it is the elusive quest of all who are part of it. Carefor is no exception. While we don’t serve everyone in Eastern Ontario, as one of the largest not-for-profit health and community services organizations within the Champlain Region, our client base is broad and diverse. More than this, the needs of our clients are among the most immediate and complex of anyone in our region. For this reason, the ways in which Carefor has grown and had to adapt in such times of change had to be done with deliberate intention. The costs of not doing so are too great.

Over the past three years as CEO, I’ve been focused on strengthening and positioning Carefor for a transformational shift in how health system partners work together in a new integrated system of care. With this goal in mind, I spent my early days in this role recruiting new leaders, engaging with key partners in the community and across the province and supporting the development of new strategic directions incorporating diverse stakeholder input that will help position Carefor for a successful future filled with growth opportunities and innovation. As a unique and diversified organization, offering a full range of home health and community-based services, and with health system transformation fast-approaching, there was no better time to demonstrate Carefor’s value as an integral partner for Ontario Health Teams.

With the creation of Ontario Health, we quickly mobilized in response to invitations from emerging health teams across the region. Fast forward several months, we are one of 11 convening partners with active contribution in an approved Ottawa Health Team/Équipe Santé Ottawa and a valued partner supporting several other teams in development and on their way towards approval. Reflecting back on this past year, I believe Carefor has experienced more change in one year than it has in its 100+ years of history serving people in our community. As CEO, I could not be more proud of the team at Carefor and our contributions in helping to inform and shape a new integrated, people-centred health care system in our community.

“The best view comes after the hardest climb” has become my living mantra these days. Just as we were settling into a new rhythm with health teams, the COVID-19 pandemic consumed the world’s attention, overwhelmed health systems, crippled the global economy and impacted our physical and mental health over the past number of months. This rate at which this virus has spread forced us all to retract and retreat within our own organizations to protect our people and safely provide much needed care and service to the most vulnerable members of society. In a matter of days, our focus shifted from operational growth and the formation of health teams to supply chain management and procurement of personal protective equipment to keep our staff and clients safe. As we approach the end of our third month of responding to COVID-19, Carefor’s values have been put to the test in this unprecedented time of uncertainty.

·       Partnership. Working with government, funders, system partners, vendors, foundations and donors to ensure we have the right tools and resources to provide continued services.

·       Respect. Respecting the safety and security of our people and those most at risk in this pandemic, our vulnerable seniors and those living with chronic health conditions. 

·       Innovation. Leveraging our creativity and resourcefulness to provide care in new and different ways to support those living with limited means and support systems while in isolation.

·       Responsiveness. Responding without hesitation; thinking fast on our feet and acting quickly to maintain confidence in our people, our systems and our partners.

·       Excellence. Striving for the best, regardless of what curve balls are thrown our way; delivering exceptional quality of care and services and in that vein, continuing to be the provider of choice for people and partners alike.

Guiding the direction in which Carefor operates, these five core values keep me and my team focused and connected to what’s most important while motivating us to sustain, innovate and expand our programs and services in the community. Having said that, leading a team of 1600 health care employees through a global health pandemic is not something I had anticipated in my early tenure as Carefor’s CEO. Over the past three months, I’ve learned more about crisis management and organizational resilience than I’ve experienced in my 20+ years as a leader. Unfortunately, there is no one playbook that guides you when confronted with an unprecedented crisis. While I’ll be the first to admit that Carefor’s response to the pandemic has not been without its challenges,  I believe the secret to our teams’ success in these first three months of the pandemic  can be attributed to: 1) leading with a calm and steady focus; 2) acting quickly and decisively; 3) communicating clearly and often; 4) taking care of oneself and the team; and 5) looking for opportunities to innovate.   

Lead with a calm and steady focus: during times of uncertainty, staff quickly look to their leaders for a calm response and clear plan of action. In the early days of the pandemic, like others in health care, our team launched quickly into emergency response mode with a focus on staff and client safety, while sustaining our business operations. Supported by daily huddles, where we discuss such things as the number of cases of suspected/confirmed COVID-19, staffing availability, program status and closures, isolation of residential clients, etc., our goals were achieved due to creativity, persistence and a “can do” attitude. Well-chaired huddles with a focused structure and action plans enabled us to efficiently and effectively manage incoming public health and Ministry directives to make quick decisions. 

Act quickly and decisively: COVID-19 hit the world hard and fast this past March. With no time to spare, this element of speed drove our team into fight or flight mode as we mobilized to protect our people, our clients/residents and our organization. At the beginning of the pandemic, we spent long days and evenings interpreting public health and Ministry directives, moving people to remote work arrangements with appropriate technology, procuring PPE from diverse sources, setting up safe workspaces at client homes and in clinics, in our hospice and at our retirement facilities. Each of these decisions required quick action, but only after careful review of the evidence and consideration of the implications. With people’s health on the line, the motivation to think quickly, ethically and decisively has never been more important. I am convinced that Carefor had and continues to have low rates of COVID-19 cases among our people due to our early responsiveness, our collaborative approach and our ability to act quickly and decisively in our actions.  

Communicate clearly and often: in the home and community care business, communication can be a real challenge as the majority of staff work remotely, travelling from client home to client home with very little downtime to catch up while in transit. Add to that, many of our staff have multiple employers requiring different information technology and mobile communication tools. Our goal over the past several weeks has been simple – communicate clearly and often. Our communications team was central to our efforts, implementing a multi-pronged approach to getting our key messages to our people in several ways. Using email, video, virtual meetings and an intranet site designed for COVID-19, our staff have received weekly direction, resources and support from their leaders. Although at times staff have sought answers to questions more quickly than we are able to respond to through this pandemic, we have maintained an open, transparent and thoughtful approach to communicating those decisions that have been made in addition to the information and directives available to us from public health, Ontario Health and other credible sources.

Take care of yourself and your team: the physical, mental and emotional toll that COVID-19 has taken on people all over the globe is unprecedented. Moving into week 12 of balancing the significant pressures at work and challenges of home life in this time of uncertainty is draining.  As we hear about restrictions being lifted, there is a degree of fear and concern circulating about a second wave coming this fall. I recognize the toll that this pandemic has had on my own resilience over the past few months. As a leader tasked with taking care of my team, I must make it a personal priority to be that role model that others desire to follow. Practicing self-care is key to managing long-term, high stress situations with a calm, collected and strategic response. My mission at this stage of the pandemic is to support my team by encouraging them to slow down, rest and re-build those energy reserves over the summer months in order to be ready for whatever situation comes our way in the fall.

Look for new opportunities: I love great quotes… one of my favorites is “challenge = opportunity,” so much so that it stays on my office wall as a visible reminder. Short, simple and undeniably true in all scenarios. We know that innovation evolves from times of struggle, strain and testing of societal, workplace and industry norms. Humans are like all other species on this planet; when tested by crisis we generally rise to the occasion and find alternative ways to evolve and grow. In healthcare, we’ve likely witnessed more innovation and change in the last twelve weeks of this pandemic than we have seen in a decade. Despite new partnerships and action teams that have evolved over the past year within emerging Ontario Health Teams, the health system continued to struggle with concepts like true team-based and virtual care. With the emergence of a global pandemic, merely weeks later health care agencies are mobilizing to work collectively to deal with COVID-19 and deliver virtual health care services like never before. In our own organization, we have partnered with aTouchAway by Aetonix Systems Inc. to connect residents with their loved ones, while in isolation. We are preparing to pilot a virtual care and remote home monitoring program for use with clients. Another great example of innovation is our efforts to develop a ‘working from home’ culture at Carefor. As a not-for-profit organization, our mission is focused on providing services at low cost. This has become even more critical as our organization continues to grow. COVID-19 impacted us at a time when we were gearing up to explore new physical space options forcing us to focus on quickly relocating office staff to their homes. Within days, we procured equipment and had people working effectively from the safety and security of their homes. We are now taking advantage of this opportunity to rethink and inform our space plans for the future.

None of these five success factors would be possible without a supportive and engaged board of directors and a strong, dedicated and resilient leadership team; each bringing their own knowledge, expertise and energy to the table. I feel very fortunate that I am surrounded by a group of passionate people who wasted no time mobilizing into action at the first sign that the pandemic would impact us here in Eastern Ontario. Finally I would be remiss not to mention the quality and commitment of our staff at Carefor. Leadership through a crisis is made easier when you’re working with a team that is as resilient, professional and compassionate as Carefor’s.

Climbing this proverbial ‘mountain’ over the past several months has been both challenging and rewarding for us in many ways. My success in leading our team through this first wave of the pandemic is undoubtedly attributed to our steadfast commitment to Carefor’s core values; values that act as our moral compass and guide our efforts forward. However, leading in the face of a crisis requires more than just values, it requires a calm and steady focus, quick and decisive actions, ongoing clear communication, a healthy and mindful approach as well as openness to new opportunities. It also requires a sense of collaboration and teamwork that goes beyond typical levels. Organizational and personal resiliency is the name of this game and will continue to be the goal as we support our people and our clients through this pandemic. As we continue our climb, we must maintain our focus, keep ourselves healthy and take in the view when we reach the summit.   

[Photo Credit: Ashley Fraser/Postmedia]

 

 

It is perfectly normal to be nervous or anxious sometimes, however, when those feelings become overwhelming and start negatively affecting a person’s life and the lives of those around them, it may become apparent that they are suffering with an anxiety disorder.

Older adults can be particularly susceptible to anxiety disorders, which can be brought on by the stresses of aging. Certain things that could contribute to an anxiety disorder include: a recent bereavement or chronic grief, stress or trauma, a family history of anxiety disorders, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. Substance abuse, including prescription medications, alcohol, caffeine, and both over-the-counter and illegal drugs can also contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression.

What should you be looking out for? Here are a few signs of anxiety disorder in older adults:

• Avoiding social interactions
• Not sleeping well
• Worrying an excessive amount
• Refusing to take part in routine activities
• Alternatively, being obsessed with routines
• Depression
• Hoarding or collecting items
• Tense muscles
• Feeling weak and shaky
• Shallow breathing, racing heart, sweating
• Self-medicating with alcohol or other drugs

Aging presents many changes and situations that may trigger an anxiety disorder; these can include declining health, memory problems, and even loss of friends and loved ones.  Older adults may express concerns about living alone, financial problems such as how they will afford food or medications, being dependent on others, and even death. These are all common and understandable fears about aging that can lead to extreme worry and fear. Often anxiety and depression can go hand in hand, so knowing the signs to look out for is important in ensuring that your loved one is getting the help and support they need.

If you suspect that an older adult in your life is suffering with an anxiety problem, there are a few things to bear in mind:

• Talk to them calmly and help to reassure them
• Gently encourage them to engage in social activities
• Be supportive without feeding into their anxiety
• Acknowledge their concerns and help them to address them
• Assist them in seeking help from a medical professional

Carefor offers numerous programs and services which can help seniors and their loved ones alleviate stress and anxiety.

In Pembroke-Renfrew County: Living in a retirement home can be a way to combat feelings of anxiety as a compassionate and trained staff are there to make sure you’re taken care of. Outside of that you’ll have friends to share a laugh with so you can stay busy and socially engaged. Carefor’s Civic and Mackay Retirement Homes offer exceptional living at an exceptional price.

In Ottawa: Health complications often arise as we age, sometimes to the point of not being able to leave the house to receive services. In Ottawa, Carefor is best known for our home care services which help seniors and their families have the peace of mind of knowing that a trained health professional will be there to make sure they’re okay. 

In Eastern Counties: Aging can come with challenges. One of them is eating properly. Not doing so can decrease health and reduce the anxiety that comes with it. Carefor’s Meal Delivery Program out of our seniors support centres helps seniors make sure they’re getting the nutrition they need, with the added bonus of a friendly face dropping it off.