Malnutrition is a serious health problem for seniors, and is more common than you’d think. Learn the signs and causes of malnutrition and take steps to ensure the seniors in your life are eating a balanced, healthy diet. Problems caused by malnutrition Malnutrition in seniors can cause serious health problems, such as: A weakened immune system, making them prone to … Read More
When Should a Person with Dementia Stop Driving?
Driving is a powerful symbol of independence and adulthood. We all know that the concentration and quick reaction times required for safe driving can gradually decline with age. For people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, this decline is sped up dramatically. If you are caring for a parent or loved one who is suffering from dementia, they … Read More
How To Communicate With a Person With Dementia
Trying to communicate with a person who has Alzheimer’s disease can be challenging. Communication skills are gradually eroded by dementia, so their behavior and words can become difficult to understand. They will also have difficulty understanding your actions and your words. This combination creates misunderstandings and can cause tempers to rise on both sides. Knowing what to expect and learning … Read More
Alzheimer’s and Day-to-Day Activities
Alzheimer’s disease can make ordinary, day-to-day activities challenging. Here are some tips to make daily tasks easier for the patient, the caregivers and the family. Dressing Dementia can make getting dressed a very frustrating experience. Make it part of a routine. Help the person with Alzheimer’s to get dressed at the same time every morning. Don’t offer too many choices. … Read More
Compassionate Palliative Care and Personal Support
It’s not easy to lose a loved one, and the lives of the bereaved are impacted in many ways. It is essential for them to heal after their loss. Families are often shaken by being involved at the end-of-life care of a loved one. Health care professionals can provide the best palliative care by understanding the emotional experiences of family members and offering the most support possible.
Home Care For ALS Patients in Ottawa
ALS – Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (commonly known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that attacks motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord affecting muscle function. ALS is characterized by progressive weakness, respiratory compromise and muscle atrophy. An ALS diagnosis can be overwhelming for both the patient and their family. Choice Homecare Ottawa can help. If you … Read More
Parkinson’s Home Care
Parkinson’s disease is a complex, progressive neurological disease that impairs motor skills, movement, speech, and other functions. The three primary symptoms are tremor, muscle stiffness and slowness of movement. Other symptoms include difficulty in speaking or swallowing, tiredness, depression and dementia. Because it is a progressive disease, these symptoms may increase in frequency and severity over time. Early on, Parkinson’s … Read More
Stages of Palliative Care at Home
Palliative care is specialized care that aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for people with terminal illness, while supporting their families and loved ones. A palliative care team helps patients and their families by providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support through the dying person’s final months, weeks and days. This care, delivered at the patient’s home, … Read More
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Symptoms
The symptoms of dementia involve difficulty with most areas of mental function. Dementia affects language, memory, all cognitive skills (judgement, calculation, abstract thought), perception, emotions, behavior, and personality. The earliest sign of dementia is usually forgetfulness. Early Symptoms & Signs of Dementia Mild Cognitive Impairment is the stage between common forgetfulness caused by aging and dementia. Not everyone with Mild … Read More
The 10 Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
1. Memory loss that affects day-to-day function Forgetting things more often and not remembering them later, especially things that have happened more recently. 2. Difficulty with familiar tasks Unable to complete familiar tasks such as preparing a simple meal or playing a favourite game. 3. Problems with speech. Forgetting simple words or substituting words, making conversations difficult to understand. 4. … Read More