“The times they are a-changin’.” This pertains to most everything in our world today, but none more so than how seniors communicate. A digital-savvy senior now uses email, Facebook, and a cellphone when they used to use a landline and get all their news from the newspaper. Senior home care in Toronto today finds our elderly using all kinds of “newfangled” apps for information, entertainment, and organization. If your loved one wants to stay in touch, recommend some of these 7 helpful apps for the elderly. Maybe they already have them, and they can teach you about some new ones. Pandora This free app will keep anyone entertained, but your senior chooses the kind of music they want. They can pick a genre, time period or artist and create their own playlist. Dark Sky This is another free app on Android phones that is useful for everyone. Your senior doesn’t…

There is power in art. It is everywhere around us providing a sense of well-being and enjoyment, including for seniors. It does not matter if a senior lives with chronic pain, has memory issues, or is just a bit depressed due to inactivity. There are multiple benefits of art therapy for seniors. If you are involved in senior care in Toronto and are caring for a senior who is still at home, or if you have a professional home care service assisting you, art therapy should be added to your senior’s routine. Kinds Of Art Therapy Choose from painting, drawing, sketching, music, dancing, knitting, weaving, and creating collages. There are endless possibilities to engage a senior who is lonely, depressed, has memory loss, or is in pain. You can find something that will help them become less stressed and gain a sense of well-being. General Benefits Of Art Therapy For…

One of the most emotionally draining times in a person’s life is when their loved one needs special care, especially one with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Once a family realizes that their older loved one needs care and cannot be independent any longer or live alone, it usually falls on one person in the family to be the major caregiver. Unless that primary person gets support from other members of the family, the consequences for all can become unfortunate. The Family Dynamic Every family knows who the “leader” is; it could be the oldest or just the most responsible. When a loved one becomes ill and cannot care for themselves any longer, someone in the family steps up to be the primary caregiver. In some cases, it is just because of geography and or because that person is closest to the older loved one. It has become common for caregivers to…

Summertime can be a relaxing and enjoyable time of year for everyone in the family. Unfortunately, there are those who need to take some special precautions during the hot and sweltering “dog days of summer.” Our senior populations can be especially susceptible to the warm weather, and it can become dangerous to their health. If you are a senior, or if you care for one, here are just a few elder care safety tips to keep everyone safe and healthy this summer. Stay Hydrated Staying hydrated during hot weather is critical for everyone, but especially for our senior population. Even if someone doesn’t think they are thirsty, they should be drinking water. Seniors can quickly become dehydrated without even realizing it, so keep bottled water available in the fridge and encourage them to drink at least 2-3 bottles a day. Protection From The Sun When outside seniors should protect not…

Many people who are ageing or have been diagnosed with a long-term health problem can continue to enjoy quality life at home with the assistance of caregivers. However, it is not always possible to “age at home,” and some  may need to seek senior care in a supportive environment, such as a retirement home or care facility. There are many long and short term care options providing different styles of living and assistance, depending on the needs of your elderly loved one. Here are the most common options, to help you find the ideal solution for your aging parents or loved ones: Nursing Homes Nursing homes or centres are essentially long-term care facilities for elderly people who are completely dependent on caregivers. Licensed nurses are available 24/7 to provide a high level of medical care and professional assistance. Some nursing homes provide short-term rehabilitative accommodation for seniors recovering from surgery,…