April 19, 2021 by Carefect Admin

The Challenges of being a Spousal Caregiver

When you get married, you vow to your partner to be there for them in sickness and in health. These precious vows may lead to you or your partner becoming a spousal caregiver down the road. Spousal caregivers act as caregivers for their partners who are suffering from disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. Becoming a spousal caregiver is more common than you may think, with almost 7 million current and former caregivers in North America. Being a spousal caregiver can lead to unique challenges because of the physical, emotional, and social...

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March 29, 2021 by Carefect Admin

Tips on How to Care for an Elderly Loved One Overnight

You hear your father call out from the other room and you get up for the third time tonight to go to his room to help him get up to use the washroom. You blearily look at the clock and wonder if you should try and go back to bed for a few hours of sleep or get up to get an early start to the day before you have to leave for work. You take a deep breath to find your patience and peace while you help your father...

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March 22, 2021 by Carefect Admin

Signs That Your Elderly Loved One May Need Overnight Care

Seniors have lived a long and full life and may take pride in their independence, especially if they are still living in their own homes. This may seem like an accomplishment to them, and it may be difficult for them to admit they are having trouble with solo living. They may not be upfront with their loved ones about the challenges they are facing as they want to maintain their independence, and they do not want to worry you. There are signs to look for when assessing the degree to...

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February 8, 2021 by Carefect Admin

Tips on How to Organize Your Elderly Parent’s Medical and Health Information

Family caregivers should prioritize organizing and keeping copies of their elderly loved ones' medical information because by having quick and easy access to this pertinent information, you have increased flexibility when making health care decisions. By having your elderly loved ones' medical information organized and easily available you can make quick decisions both in an emergency and in your routine checkups. By having extra copies easily organized you can change doctors efficiently as doctors usually get medical information from other doctors however because of the bureaucracy that can take time....

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January 11, 2021 by Carefect Admin

What to do when an Elderly Loved One with Alzheimer’s Doesn’t Recognize You

When navigating a loved one through the stages of Alzheimer's disease you may find that it is your own feelings that are the most difficult challenge. People with Alzheimer's must change and adapt to their new circumstances and often these changes are out of their control. As people who love those with Alzheimer's we change and adapt to these new circumstances as well, but we have a choice in the way that we adapt to these challenges. Often as this change comes, it builds resistance. It is natural to feel...

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December 14, 2020 by Carefect Admin

Ways to Celebrate the Holidays Safely with your Elderly Loved Ones during COVID-19

The holiday season is full of light and love. You may decorate your homes with strings of lights, light the candles of the menorah or wait with bated breath for Santa Claus to find his way down your chimney. We connect with old friends and spend quality time with them and lean into the warm embrace of family. However, while the joys of the holidays may be affected by your local health procedure, helping keep the community safe is the best gift you can give and receive this year. Ensure...

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December 7, 2020 by Carefect Admin

Caring for an Elderly Loved One with Alzheimer’s during the Coronavirus Pandemic

The Coronavirus pandemic is putting many seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia at risk, but because most know it to be a respiratory illness, it is not immediately obvious how. The reality is that dementia-related behaviors such as forgetting to wash their hands and other necessary precautions may increase the risk of contracting the disease. These behaviors, compounded with old age and common age-related health conditions may present a concerning combination for diseases like COVID-19. Whether your community is reopening services or taking more precautions, depending on the number of...

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November 30, 2020 by Carefect Admin

Cold Weather Safety Tips for Seniors

As we move into the winter season, it is time for us to change our wardrobes from our fun summer outfits to our cozy sweaters to accommodate the increasingly colder weather. While comfy clothes and winter adventures may be something to look forward to, as an older person, it can present an uncomfortable challenge: the cold. Although getting cold during a brisk winter walk can feel refreshing for a younger person, a big chill can affect an older person’s immune system and even lead to hypothermia. Hypothermia Hypothermia is the...

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November 16, 2020 by Carefect Admin

Ways to Convince an Elderly Loved One with Alzheimer’s to Shower

Hygiene management and bathing is an important yet stressful daily aspect of living with someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Often, it can be a battle to create a care routine that keeps your elderly loved one physically safe from the damaging effects of poor hygiene, as bathing can be nerve wracking for someone with Alzheimer’s. Attempts to get them to bathe and shower can result in arguments, negotiations, screaming, crying, and hostility. This increases your stress level and creates a negative connotation to bathing for your elderly loved one. This can...

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November 2, 2020 by Carefect Admin

Flu Season – Prevention Tips for Seniors and Caregivers

As we move through October and into November, we are entering the cold and flu season in Ontario. The temperatures drop and the amount of vitamin D we are receiving decreases as our daily sunlight minimizes incrementally. These factors, compounded with the cold and flu season, hinder our body’s natural defenses and compromises our immune system. Seniors are especially vulnerable to the cold and flu season as their immune system becomes weaker with age. As well, those who are caregivers for seniors are affected by their vulnerability to the cold...

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