In a previous post we discussed the importance of ensuring that seniors are getting enough vegetables, and pointed out some of the most popular myths about vegetables. Here are a few more myths and a few facts … The more colourful a vegetable is, the more nutritious it is. White cabbage is one of the most vitamin and nutrient rich … Read More
Recognizing the Signs of a Stroke
The symptoms of a stroke can be difficult to identify. Unfortunately, that lack of awareness can spell disaster. A stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage while people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Experts say anyone can help recognize a stroke by asking four simple questions. If you think someone may be having a stroke, ask … Read More
Lewy Body Dementia Awareness Month
October is Lewy Body Dementia Awareness Month The Lewy Body Dementia Awareness Movement is a grass roots effort to increase LBD awareness amongst the general public and the medical community. They are making October “A Month to Remember”. Lewy Body Dementia shares characteristics with both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and is often misdiagnosed. Lewy Body Dementia (also known as Lewy … Read More
Nutrition For Seniors – Vegetable Myths
When we were kids, our parents always told us to eat our vegetables because they were good for us. When your parents start getting older, it’s time to give them the same advice. Adding a lot of vegetables to meals is a great idea because they are full of nutrients, low in calories and they add a lot of flavour … Read More
Hospital Discharge Planning For Ottawa Seniors
Preparing for a senior’s discharge from hospital is complicated. There are things to arrange and decisions to make. Connecting with the hospital’s social worker is an important first step, as they are your in-hospital advocates. When the senior’s hospital discharge is being discussed or seems eminent, it’s vital to request a discharge planning conference so that you may discuss the … Read More
World Alzheimer’s Month
September 2012 is the first global World Alzheimer’s Month, an international campaign to educate and raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease.September 21st, is World Alzheimer’s Day, as assigned by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1994. Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that has become a global health issue. The theme of this year’s World Alzheimer’s Month is “Dementia: Living Together“. Alzheimer’s … Read More
Dementia and the Importance of Music
We all have songs that evoke vivid and distinct memories of events or parts of our lives. They stir up old emotions of joy or sadness, and their impact is undeniable. We’re now beginning to understand why music affects us so profoundly. Using brain imaging techniques like MRIs, scientists have been able to look at what happens in the brain … Read More
Dementia at Meal Time
Meal times, and day-to-day eating and drinking, can become very challenging as dementia progresses. In the early stages, a person with dementia who lives alone may begin to experience difficulty with preparing food, acquiring food, or remembering to eat. Meal delivery services like Meals on Wheels may not be helpful as they may not remember to eat the meals that … Read More
Proper Nutrition For Seniors At Home
Proper nutrition is an issue for everyone. So many health problems could be fixed or completely prevented if we would all just eat the right amounts of the right foods. But, as we’re seeing high instances of malnutrition in the elderly, we need to make sure the seniors in our lives are eating well. The topic of nutrition for seniors … Read More
Canadian Seniors Have a High Incidence of Malnutrition
A study conducted by the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force showed a disturbingly high percentage of seniors in Canada, who are admitted to hospitals for other conditions, are suffering from some degree of malnutrition. 39% of admitted patients aged 65 or older were classified as moderately malnourished, and 12.5% were severely malnourished. These numbers are significantly higher than those of the … Read More