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As we age our muscles deteriorate. It’s just a fact of life. Unless we exercise, keep fit, and eat a balanced diet, we can lose almost all our muscle. The same applies to our brains. We must continue to challenge and sharpen our brains as we get older. Those involved in elder care in Toronto are wise to facilitate certain activities for seniors to help sharpen their thinking, memory and reasoning skills. We have gathered 5 mind-stimulating activities for elders you can incorporate into their lives. Change Up Daily Tasks Simple activities can be altered to challenge a senior. Have them close their eyes while buttoning their shirt or tying their shoes. If they still drive, one day ask them to take a different route home with you in the car. Ask them to do something like brushing their teeth with their other hand. These all seem like simple tasks…

That beautiful Barbra Streisand song from the movie The Way We Were has the poignant line “for it’s the laughter that we remember, whenever we remember the way we were.’’ This rings true for most everyone, and it includes those with Alzheimer’s disease. If you assist with Alzheimer’s care in Toronto, you know how important it is to evoke memories in those who are losing them little by little. Preserving those memories is a valuable tool to improve communication and provide a sense of belonging for our loved ones. In some cases it can help manage their behaviours and improve their sense of well-being. Start With Memory Triggers All our senses can open the door to lost and long-forgotten memories, especially for Alzheimer’s patients. Music triggers can bring out lovely memories from your loved one’s youth. Music is also a beneficial way to soothe a difficult senior. Certain aromas from…

Most of us remember the first time we got our licence to drive a car. What a glorious independent feeling it gave us! That is an almost universal emotion, and consequently it is quite a blow to a senior when it’s time to take away their keys. Each case concerning seniors and driving is different, but making the decision is an essential responsibility for anyone involved in senior home care in Toronto. Keeping your senior as well as the general public safe is of utmost importance. The “designated driver” of a group of senior friends may well be the person who should be in the back seat. Just because someone is older doesn’t mean they are a bad driver, so tread carefully. Be Aware Of Vision And Hearing Issues You may be continually monitoring your senior’s mental ability, how easily they remember directions, or their ability to pay attention. These…

If you are involved with elder care in Toronto, you have most likely encountered some resistance from your parent or loved one. It could be something simple like not wanting to leave the house as much as they used to, or more troubling issues like insisting on driving when it’s time to quit. Whatever issues you are facing, we will give you some pointers on how to deal with elderly resistance. Get To The Bottom Of The Resistance Regardless of the seriousness of the resistance, finding the cause is a good place to start. Try to figure out why they are being stubborn. This can help you as the caregiver understand and empathize with the situation, and ultimately to overcome their resistance. Some common causes of resistance are: Pride—they can’t handle certain tasks any longer or need extra help Guilt about being a burden to family Anger at their situation…

Thanksgiving Day is typically filled with great food, family and friends. Many families practise the tradition of going around the table so that each person can tell others what they are grateful for through the year. For those who never think about “gratefulness,” this can be intimidating. The truth is every day should be Thanksgiving, all the days before, the days after, and every day in between. Is this year any different than other years? Well, maybe. Let’s take a look at why you and all who do senior care in Toronto should create a gratitude list this Thanksgiving. You Are Really Blessed If you are paying attention even a little, you will have noticed that there have been multiple natural disasters of late—thousands of people have lost everything. Many have lost their homes, all their possessions and even members of their family. Hundred of residents of Houston, Texas, had…