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:
- Close your curtains. Heat often leaves through windows. Keeping curtains closed, especially at night helps keep heat in.
- 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.
- 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.
- Change or clean your furnace filter. Make sure the warm air can flow easily and isn’t making your furnace work harder.
- Add more insulation. If you can afford it, increasing your insulation in your attic or basement can pay off.
- 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.
- Decorate for warmth. Make sure your furniture or a rug aren’t blocking vents.
- 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.
- 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.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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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.
Can you live well after a diagnosis of dementia?
Robin Meyers,
Director, Community Support Services & Personal Support Services
Like many, my husband and I never thought we would have to think about life with dementia, but when he received a diagnosis of Young Onset Dementia – Probable Alzheimer’s three years ago at the age of 57 suddenly we did. I often think about the day we heard the diagnosis and what it felt like; it is incredibly difficult to describe. There was a part of us that was relieved to finally know after three years of seeing specialists what it was, but I can’t pretend our lives haven’t changed.
The person who shared this information with us was compassionate. My husband was told to go get his affairs in order, stop doing financial work, and get counselling, but what seemed to be missing in this advice was about the things we can do to live well.
I recall coming home from the appointment, walking in our door, and my husband saying, “So I guess that’s it.” When he was ready to, we talked about how we would work to live with dementia/Alzheimer’s. I encouraged him to tell people about it and he noticed it got easier each time he did. We accepted it more.
Over the years of working with people living with dementia and their families I learned from them that we needed to have the right attitude about how to support each other following a diagnosis of dementia to be able to live our best lives.
How has dementia changed our lives?
- We have to try to be more patient with each other (this is easier and harder on different days)
- Travel is more challenging
- Social events are more challenging
- Fatigue is a real thing
- It can be lonely and isolating
- Routine has become more important than ever
- Daily life changes (increased frustration, changes in confidence)
- Some people don’t know what to say or do, so they pull away – people feel sad for us. (We don’t want or need that.)
- It affects more than just the person living with dementia; your whole family lives with dementia
- We use technology more than ever, such as Amazon-Alexa, Apple products and wireless speakers
- We have met some amazing people we likely otherwise would have not met
- We have support of our families, friends and colleagues and others
What can communities, family, friends and co-workers do to support living well with dementia?
A big part of a person living well with dementia comes from his or her support system. Encourage a focus on the things that a person can do rather that the things they might need help with. It helps to talk openly and work to accept the diagnosis and support from those around you (families, community, colleagues) – not only for the person living with dementia, but also their care partners.
- See the person, not the diagnosis
- Encourage education about living with dementia
- Ensure the voice of the lived experience stay present in planning. To do this, create ways that a person living with dementia or their care partners can be present in working groups – consider timing of meeting, location, last minutes changes or long meetings.
- Change the messaging at time of diagnosis and ensure it includes suggestions on how to live well
- Form and use peer support groups
- Tax benefits that are real and take into consideration the real needs
- Make technology available and show people how to use it to improve autonomy and independence
- Create standards in training of staff
- Change the language around living well with dementia
- Fully fund Dementia Strategy (including the voice of lived experience in planning)
- Hobby for flexible & sustainable funding not just for organizations or programs but for families (self-directed funding)
Here we are three years after diagnosis and we are living well with dementia. My husband and I (with support from our families, friends and workplaces) signed on to be advocates for Alzheimer’s Society of Canada on their campaign to reduce the stigma that exists around a diagnosis of dementia. You can see our story here and the story of others https://ilivewithdementia.ca/. My husband has been able to continue to work, to drive and to be an active advocate, only recently changing to part time work.
We travel, spend time with our children and grandchildren, show patience with each other, take breaks when we need them and help to change the way people think about a person living with dementia. When we signed on to be partners in life we signed on to support each other. My role does not change just because of a diagnosis. We have supported and cared for each other for years and plan to continue to do this.
What can you do to live well after a diagnosis of dementia?
- Create a routine
- Write lists, keep things in the same place, use technology (if it helps)
- Have patience and take breaks
- When the person living with dementia is speaking don’t interrupt (they may not be able to recall)
- Visit often and consider shorter visits with fewer people
- Laugh
- See the person not the diagnosis
- Help family and friends accept when plans gets cancelled because today is just not the best day
- Encourage the person living with dementia not to isolate themselves and stay actively engaged
- Try a day program or support group (online or in person)
- Share – Tell people and share the diagnosis. It makes it easier for you and helps people see living with dementia differently.
- Accept changes as they come (this is easier to write down that is to do)
- Eat well, stay active
My husband is my person and Alzheimer’s doesn’t change that. We are in this together and we will do our best to live the best lives we can. We try not to look over our shoulder and accept changes as they come with as much grace and understanding as we can. It’s important that our community, friends and government help us to do that. We work hard each day to live our best lives. My husband often says, “You can live with dementia, but you do have to live like you’re living the diagnosis”.
Carefor’s programs and supports for living with dementia
We are fortunate at Carefor to be able to support people in the communities we work in to live with dementia. We have respite programs like the Guest House and adult day programs where people living with dementia can come together while their care partners/caregivers can take time to rest or catch up on a task they need to get done. We also have the beautiful Richmond Care Home, an intimate 16-bed home for women living with dementia. I have worked at Carefor for 10 years and have been lucky enough to work with some amazing teams who support people using our programs to live well every day after a diagnosis of dementia.
At Carefor, we have grown our programs over the years and in the past year two years we have created a day program in Orleans, 50 additional spaces at our existing day programs, and have adapted our program at Guest House to have greater flexibility. In October of 2019, in partnership with Carleton University, we also opened The Club, a day program for people living with Young Onset Dementia. Club members are encouraged to seek a personal connection with others experiencing a similar life experience while being supported in a recreational setting (peer to peer connect is a key component). The programming is flexible and members co-design their day with staff based on their needs, abilities and interests. Members have access to a wide variety of facilities and activities, such as swimming, badminton, basketball, fitness classes and use of an indoor track for walking/running, additionally programming themes include educational topics, art and music. Our team supports Club members ensuring meaningful activities, self-confidence and independence.
For more information about The Club, contact info@carefor.ca.
For more information on our journey of living well with dementia: https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/yes-i-live-with-dementia-let-me-help-you-understand
Caring for those living with dementia means dealing with a number of various symptoms and behaviours that can affect their health and safety. One of these symptoms is known as ‘sundowning’. Sundowning describes the feelings of restlessness, confusion, and even aggression, that can be exhibited by dementia patients in the late afternoon or early evening. According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, it is thought that sundowning can affect as many as 66% of people with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Sundowning is most common in the middle stages of the disease, though it can occur at any time. It can be exhausting for the patient, as well as for their caregiver.
Some behaviours typical with sundowning can include:
- Becoming demanding or aggressive
- Experiencing delusions and hallucinations.
- Pacing or wandering
- Doing impulsive things
- Attempting to leave home
- Having difficulty understanding others
- Having difficulty doing tasks that were done without difficulty earlier in the day
Our Richmond Care Home specializes in dementia care so we are well acquainted with sundowning and the impact this has on our residents and staff. In partnership with esprit-ai, a west Ottawa company that uses 5G technology to keep seniors safe, we have been using a system of electronic sensors to monitor the nighttime activities of our Richmond Care Home residents.
The sensors monitor when a resident gets out of bed, moves around their room, or opens the door. This data is sent to esprit-ai, who will analyze it and contact the nighttime staff if required. Having access to this data is incredibly helpful in tracking any patterns of behaviour in our residents, enabling us to adjust their routines and medications accordingly. For instance, if we are aware that a resident has been particularly restless throughout the night, we can watch them the next day knowing they will be tired and at a higher risk of falls.
Our Richmond Care Home is a unique 16-unit residence that caters to women living with dementia. Our staff are knowledgeable about dementia behaviours and are well-trained to provide your mom with the care and attention she deserves. For you, it’s peace of mind that costs far less than most memory care retirement homes. For more information, or to book a tour, please contact our supervisor, Jasmine Sears, by calling (613) 617-2187 or by email at jsears@carefor.ca.
Older adults account for an important and substantial proportion of our society, a number which is only continuing to grow. According to Statistics Canada, Canadian seniors made up approximately 15% of the total population in 2013. By 2036, this number is expected to increase to between 23 and 25%. When our seniors are socially isolated, we miss out on the wealth of experience they can contribute to our society and the impact and loss that is felt can be significant. While social isolation for seniors was already considered a problem prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has only gotten worse over the last few years as we, as a society, have had to keep our distance from others for our own safety.
The effects of loneliness on seniors
The older population are especially susceptible to loneliness and social isolation due to a number of factors including declines in mobility and health, loss of loved ones, and oftentimes geographical separation from their families. Isolation can be especially detrimental to their health as socially isolated seniors are shown to have a higher risk of negative health behaviours including drinking, smoking, poor eating habits, and a sedentary lifestyle. They can also have a higher risk of falls and a higher likelihood of being admitted to hospital.
The emotional effects of loneliness on seniors can go beyond just feeling sad. Isolated seniors have been shown to decline quicker mentally than their more social counterparts. Other negative mental health repercussions of loneliness can include cognitive decline and a higher risk of dementia, as well as feelings of depression and low self-esteem.
How can loneliness be overcome?
One obvious way to combat loneliness is to maintain interpersonal relationships and stay socially active within the community. For seniors who have mobility issues, however, this can be especially difficult. Social programs, such as those that involve volunteers visiting the homes of house-bound seniors, are especially important in giving them a friendly face to talk to.
At Carefor much of what we do is to help seniors reduce the isolation and loneliness that often comes with aging.
In Eastern Counties: Our five seniors support centres in Winchester, Lancaster, Alexandria, Finch and Ingleside offer numerous programs such as congregate dining to help seniors stay connected and share a meal together. Click here to learn more.
In Pembroke-Renfrew Country: Carefor offers numerous programs in the community including our Friendly Visiting and Frozen Meal Delivery to help isolated seniors know a friendly face is only a phone call away.
In Ottawa: Loneliness is a common product of living with dementia. Our day programs and Guest 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 respite programs are a great way to reduce loneliness.
"*" indicates required fields