Don’t be afraid, embarrassed, shy or too proud to ask for help! Being a caregiver is demanding and it is difficult to go it alone.
Whenever possible, engage family members for help with specific tasks.
If you’re caring for a woman, you may be shopping for personal items such as underwear and feminine hygiene products. Ask a salesperson at the store or a female family member if you need help with fit or product advice. Continue reading →

Caregiver Solutions magazine is proud to introduce our new guest blogger Shaina McQuilkie B.Kin., D.C.. She is  a chiropractor and the owner of Forme Clinic in Oakville, Ontario.  Please visit www.formeclinic.ca  for additional information.
Symptoms of arthritis including pain, stiffness and inflammation… (Read more)

Q. Our elderly neighbour lives alone and is quite independent, but we have noticed she’s losing weight. She says she can’t be bothered to cook for one person. Do you have any suggestions to help her get proper nutrition? Continue reading →

The wish to remain “at home” must be paired with the realization that age almost always necessitates adjustments and modifications according to changing needs and abilities. The best place to start is with a review. This will help you to determine what changes are needed to improve safety and independence. Here, we feature 10 areas to look at that will get you off to a great start.
Continue reading →

It is not surprising that an overwhelming number of us want to continue living in our own homes as we age. In fact, a national survey of 1,000 Canadians found that 70 per cent would be more comfortable staying put, and this desire increases as we get even older.

The wish to remain “at home” must be paired with the realization that age almost always necessitates adjustments and modifications according to changing needs and abilities. The best place to start is with a review. This will help you to determine what changes are needed to improve safety and independence. Here, we feature 10 areas to look at that will get you off to a great start. Continue reading →

Whether you’ve suspected it for ages or it’s come as a shock, absorbing the reality ahead of you when someone you care about is diagnosed with any form of dementia can be a sobering yet critical process. This is especially true if much of the burden of care will fall on your shoulders.

There are a number of things you can do to prepare yourself for what’s to come. Continue reading →

Q. How many hours can caregivers work a day? My mother shouldn’t be alone.

A. In most cases, the number of hours a caregiver works in a day is divided by a two-week period of time, rather than per day. This allows caregivers to work three to four 12-hour shifts in one week without working overtime, but also helps maintain consistency with the same caregiver. Continue reading →

1. When should a person move from living alone to a retirement or nursing home?
It is hard to make an exact determination, but one of the main things to be concerned about is the person’s safety when living… (Read more)

Q. What exercises or exercise classes could my aging mother and I do together to help us bond and get a good workout at the same time?
A. Before starting new exercises with your mother, make sure she is physically… (Read more)

Q. A homecare nurse visits my dad regularly while we are at work. However, when I ask him what she said, or if she left any special instructions, he always says, “I don’t remember” or “I’m not sure.” How can… (Read more)