Living Alone with Dementia: Could It Be Possible? Contrary to popular belief, having a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of progressive dementia does not automatically mean that going to a nursing home is the only option. Living alone with dementia is possible with the right support and accommodations. It is important for everyone to consider the implications of the statistics for our loved ones and potentially ourselves in the future. In Canada there are around 61% of our seniors who have been diagnosed with dementia and are not residing in long term care or nursing homes. What is even more worrisome is that a large percentage are living alone without a designated caregiver. There are many key areas of concern for a loved one living alone with dementia: Do they have the ability to manage daily activities independently, such as bathing, preparing a meal, light house duties, laundry and problem solving Are they able to take the proper steps to help protect themselves from falling victim to those who scam Isolation and…
The Growing Trend of Elder Orphans and How to Best Prepare for the Future When our loved ones grow older, it brings a range of new challenges, including chronic health conditions, the loss of family members, and increased vulnerability. As we make our way through the changes, many of us rely on our adult children to provide care and support in later years. At times when aging adults find themselves without family assistance. These individuals, known as “elder orphans” face unique concerns due to the absence of built-in support. It can be difficult to determine the exact number of aging adults without family support, but according to the 2016 Canadian census, 33% of seniors aged 65 or older are women who live alone, and 17.5% of men who live alone. While many of your loved ones have family support, there are some who are considered “elder orphans”. With the increasing number of aging baby boomers, it is important to find a solution to this crisis. Seniors in this category should consider taking the following steps to prepare for their care: Find the…
Connect More Effectively with This Engaging Activity for Dementia Having a loved one with dementia can be incredibly challenging. The people you once knew can now seem unfamiliar, and words that you used to say with ease are now elusive. It can be as the world you once knew has been completely upended, leaving you wanting something familiar to hold onto. Now virtual reality is proving to be a remarkable activity for seniors with dementia. By connecting them to the past through music, photos, movies allowing seniors to reminisce and engage in their long-term memories that often remain intact. This new approach is showing remarkable results in engaging seniors with dementia. Skip Rizzo, a director for medical virtual reality at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies, has been using the technology to help veterans with PTSD. Mr Rizzo is not extending his efforts to seniors starting with his own 89-year-old mother. During a virtual trip to Rome, she was showing reactions of delight and demonstrated the profound impact this technology can have…
Low Vision and Dementia Tips and Activity Ideas When it comes to finding activities for our loved ones with dementia and vision impairment, it can be challenging. It is important to ensure that every day offers purpose, joy and meaning for them. When getting started try thinking about their current or past hobbies, interests and lifestyle. By using their preferences as a guideline to come up with creative and engaging activities. Here are some ideas to help get you started. Our Windsor-Essex home care team has created low vision and dementia tips to help assist you. By creating a playlist of loved ones favorite songs or genre of music, getting them to dance or sing or keeping the beat by clapping their hands or a homemade instrument such as a container with seeds. By reading aloud from an article or their favorite magazine or book. Once done, engage in a conversation on the topic that was just read. By getting loved ones up and moving can help improve muscle tone and circulation, as well as help to promote daytime wakefulness and…
How to Help Overcome Dementia Restlessness When signs of dementia restlessness start to appear in a loved one - wandering, pacing, fidgeting, it is important to take action before they escalate to agitation, aggression or leaving the home. Understanding the reason for their uneasiness is often the first step in addressing this issue effectively. For starters, consider the following questions: Could the senior be hungry or thirsty? Have they been sedentary too long and need to move? Is anything causing the person physical discomfort or pain? Are there too many distractions in the room? Are the visitors who could be producing distress or anxiety? Might they need to use the restroom? Are they bored? In uncertain situations, by fulfilling potential physical needs. By asking if they would be interested in a snack or something to drink, keep an eye out for nonverbal cues that may show they are in discomfort. If there is suspicion of pain please contact the physician for guidance. When facing an emotionally driven issue, it can be helpful…
Dementia and Sleeplessness: How to Resolve This Common Problem It is not uncommon for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s to experience changes in their sleep patterns. The combination of dementia and sleeplessness is still not completely understood, but it is believed that disruptions to the sleep pattern may play a role. The progression of the disease can lead to increased fatigue and exhaustion, making it more difficult for our loved ones to engage in daily activities. Additionally, certain medications prescribed for dementia can have side effects that may worsen sleep problems. Why a Good Night’s Sleep is Crucial for a Senior with Alzheimer’s With decreased sleep quality in dementia can lead to an increase in delusions and restlessness, which could cause serious safety concerns for our loved ones. The risk of wandering and a possibility of getting lost or injured. Additionally, seniors who are sleepy during the day may be less inclined to engage in healthy activities such as spending time outdoors, doing some exercise, engaging in conversations. …
