5 Tips for Helping Aging Parents with Finances Amongst the most sensitive topics for the elderly is recognizing when it is time to accept some help with money matters. Personal finances are both exceedingly personal and a representation of autonomy, and adult children in particular are sometimes met with opposition when helping aging parents with finances. Nevertheless, for many reasons, like the increasing frequency of senior scams and cognitive decline, it is vital that you’re sure the resources your loved ones have accrued through the years are safe and sound, and that bills are paid properly and on time. It is a concern that should be handled delicately and with diplomacy. Try these tips for a smooth transition to assisting a family member with finance management: The initial conversation. Approaching a senior loved one with regard to the need for help with personal finances can be challenging. Keeping respect for the older adult throughout the process is crucial, making it obvious that your intentions are not to “take over,”…
The Risk Factors for Caregiver Depression There’s no question that it’s a wonderful honor to care for those we love. Family caregivers experience a closeness and connection with those in their care that usually far outweighs the downsides. But there are challenges. A continuous to-do list to ensure the senior you are providing care for is as healthy and happy as possible. Household activities and errands to manage. Job responsibilities. The needs of other members of the family and friends. And don’t overlook self-care. The end result is an often daunting level of stress, that when left unchecked, can easily escalate to caregiver depression as well as burnout that may develop in any or all of the following ways: Thoughts of anger, unhappiness, hopelessness, stress Difficulty with falling or staying asleep during the night Lack of interest in previously-loved activities Eating significantly more or less than usual Delayed thinking And if left untreated, suicidal thoughts, or even attempts at suicide This short online evaluation…
Sandwich Generation: Strike a Better Life Balance with These Tips Ask anyone in the sandwich generation if they’ve achieved a healthy life balance between caring for an older loved one, children at home, career, self-care, household tasks, etc., and you’re likely to receive a similar refrain: perhaps a sigh of longing, a huff of frustration, or a rolling of the eyes. And if you happen to be a sandwich generation caregiver yourself, you may be struggling to find the time to even read this article in its entirety! Yet allow yourself just a few minutes to consider the following tips that may just help you to breathe easier and release some of the stress and pressure associated with so many responsibilities: Identify the top priority – and set everything else aside. In any given moment, you may find yourself pulled in multiple directions: your teenager needs help with a homework assignment, the dog needs to be walked, Mom is becoming restless. Determine which, if any, of these needs is truly a crisis or time-sensitive issue, and resolve to tackle…
COPD Flyer Free Download If you're providing care for a loved one who struggles with COPD, you are most likely aware that outdoor air pollutants can exacerbate symptoms. However, did you realize that bad air quality in the home can also be concerning? Our FREE COPD Tip Sheet describes tips to prevent COPD or worsening COPD symptoms, signs that indicate a call to the doctor is needed and describes a breathing exercise that can help relieve the symptoms of COPD. To download this helpful resource, simply complete the short form, and you’ll receive instant access to our COPD Tips flyer. COPD sufferers can breathe easier with the assistance of Amy’s Helping Hands. We can address: Education about COPD disease management Exercises to improve symptoms Nutrition and dietary guidance Psychosocial support Skills to best cope with symptoms For more tips on COPD care or to hire professional, reliable and compassionate in-home care or caregiver respite services, contact Amy’s Helping Hands at 519-915-4370.
Tips for Eating Well for Older Adults Flyer Many seniors have trouble obtaining the right nutrition due to issues such as trouble cooking, shopping, chewing or a poor appetite. Learn solutions to these common problems by downloading our FREE Tips for Eating Well for Older Adults Flyer. To download this helpful resource, simply complete the short form, and you’ll receive instant access to our Tips for Eating Well for Older Adults flyer. For more tips on senior nutrition or to hire a professional in-home companion to help with shopping and preparing meals, and to make meal time a social time, contact Amy’s Helping Hands at 519-915-4370.
Community Resources HELPFUL INFORMATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES For Seniors and Caregivers in Windsor: LHIN - Local Health Intigration Network Phone: 519-258-8211 http://www.eriestclairlhin.on.ca/ Diabetes Wellness Windsor Essex Community Health Centre Phone: 519.997.2823 http://wechc.org/ Life After Fifty - Seniors Centre www.lifeafterfifty.ca Family Services - Windsor Essex Advocacy Counselling and Support http://familyserviceswe.ca/ Alzheimer Society www.alzheimer.ca Coach Broyle Alzheimer's Playbook - A Practical Guide for Caregivers http://www.alzheimersplaybook.com/ ALS Society of Ontario http://www.alsont.ca/ Canadian Cancer Society http://www.cancer.ca/ Canadian Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.ca/ Canadian Hearing Society http://www.chs.ca/ Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association http://www.chpca.net/ Canadian National Institute for the Blind http://www.cnib.ca/ Canada Pension & Old Age Security http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/ Heart and Stroke Foundation http://www.heartandstroke.ca/…
