Dementia is a disorder of the brain that interferes with one’s ability to think clearly, remember, communicate, and generally function and take care of one’s self. Dementia is most commonly caused by alzheimer’s disease, but can also be caused by a number of other degenerative brain conditions. Dementia is found much more often among older members of the population, so it is typically a child and/or spouse who ends up bearing the responsibility of caring for someone with dementia. In this article, we outline three tips for caring for your loved-one with dementia. Avoid insisting that your loved one is wrong, even if they are People with dementia often think and process the world in ways that may be profoundly at odds with reality. For example, they may think that someone close to them who died long ago is still alive, or misapprehend where they are at a given time.…

Diseases can strike us at any time. Unfortunately, our bodies may have a hard time responding to treatment and palliative care provides a good option for those who are having trouble combatting chronic or life-threatening illnesses. Palliative care relieves the symptoms of diseases and disorders, even if they are incurable. Not to be confused with hospice care, which is a form of palliative care that is designed for people who have six months or less to live, palliative care helps improve the quality of life for people no matter what stage of their illness they’re in. Whether you are looking into palliative care for yourself or a loved one, it is important to consider certain factors before deciding on a caregiver. Here are five things to look for in palliative care: Is the palliative care service accredited? In Canada, in order to provide this type of care the organization needs…

When a loved one is suffering from dementia it can be tough to adjust to their illness. Dementia causes certain behavioural changes that may make it seem like your loved one is drastically different than they once were. The person suffering from dementia may experience sudden mood swings and lash out at you. Handling a loved one’s behaviour changes isn’t easy but there are ways to cope without making them feel threatened. Why does dementia cause mood changes? When someone is plagued with dementia, it is hard to predict exactly what is causing their mood transformations because there are so many factors involved. The medication your loved one is on to treat their dementia may be responsible for some of their erratic behaviour. Sudden mood changes can also be the reaction to ailments that traditionally accompany dementia such as urinary tract infections and fever. Fatigue, dehydration and constipation can further…

When someone you love has surgery of any kind, you may want to help them with their postoperative care. Before you agree to tend to them after their surgery, you need to know exactly what you should be doing as they recuperate. It’s important that your loved one receive the best care and if you are able to provide it to them, all the better. Directly after the operation Immediately following surgery, your loved one will be groggy. First thing’s first: Do not let them drive. If you cannot pick them up, arrange for a taxi or car service to bring them home. Furthermore, if there is any equipment or medication that they will be needed, ensure that it has been prearranged with the person’s doctor. If necessary, learn how to use the equipment and set timers to indicate when your loved one should take their medication. During the recovery…

Ontario’s senior population is on the rise. With hospitals and long-term care facilities doing their best to accommodate the aging population, the provincial government has proposed a project to address this need. The government has come up with a strategy that will see funds given directly to patients to allow them to design their own program for self-directed home care. What is self-directed home care? Dr. Eric Hoskins, the Minister of Health and Long-term Care for the province of Ontario, announced this past summer that a three-year plan was proposed to give patients and their caregivers more control over the home care services they can receive. Self-directed home care will allow patients to choose their own care provider and determine how and when they receive it. Hoskins stated that many patients actually prefer to get care in their own homes where they are comfortable. He further claimed that home-care patients…