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Friday, April 15, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Good dental care promotes overall good health
Brushing and flossing teeth help to achieve a healthy smile, but the full importance of oral health care is often misunderstood. Good dental habits can promote good overall health, so brushing and flossing daily, eating well and visiting an oral health care professional regularly mean more than just a brighter smile and fresh breath.
Medical research has established links between oral health and diseases such as diabetes and respiratory illness. People with diabetes are at greater risk for gum disease and it has been proven that the same bacteria found in dental plaque can be inhaled into the lungs where it may aggravate an existing lung condition or cause an infection. Studies are investigating whether pregnant women with gum disease are at higher risk for delivering pre-term and low birth weight babies. And new research suggests a possible connection between gum disease and heart disease and stroke.
Poor oral health can also have social consequences. A healthy mouth helps people speak properly and chew food and enhances self-esteem. Oral diseases can be painful and debilitating and, in severe cases, if left untreated, can lead to life-threatening complications.
Oral health care should begin before a child’s first tooth appears. Introducing good oral health care practices at birth helps to minimize the risk of early childhood tooth decay, a disease that can form rapidly, affecting babies and young children. It also sets the foundation for good oral health care, contributing to a better overall quality of life.
It is important to take good care of your oral health though all ages and stages.
According to the Canadian Health Measures Survey 2007 to 2009 (CHMS), the only clinically measured national data on oral health conditions, 17.3 per cent of Canadians reported avoiding a visit to an oral health care professional and 16.5 per cent reported declining recommended care due to costs. Although cavities can largely be prevented, 57 per cent of children aged six to 11, 59 per cent of youth aged 12 to 19 and 96 per cent of adults surveyed had a history of cavities. As well, 21 per cent of adults with natural teeth reported they have had a moderate or severe gum problem. The CHMS also concluded lower income families and people with no dental insurance were declining visits or recommended care three to four times more often than higher income families. These survey findings clearly identify income as a strong determinant of access to oral health care and good oral health.
The goal of York Region’s Community and Health Services dental program is to increase oral health awareness among children and parents and to provide dental screening, targeted preventive care and early dental treatment for eligible children. According to the 2006 census, approximately 15 per cent of York Region children under the age of 18 live in low-income households that may find the cost of dental services prohibitive. Through regional and provincial funding, the program offers no-cost dental screening and preventive dental services to eligible children until their 18th birthday.
In 2009, York Region screened more than 49,000 children. As well, approximately 1,000 children and youth were administered preventive dental treatment and more than 2,900 children and youth with urgent dental needs were referred for treatment to community dentists under the Children In Need Of Treatment (CINOT) program.
CINOT is an urgent dental care program funded by the province and York Region. In the past two years, as part of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, the CINOT program was expanded to include children up to their 18th birthday and Healthy Smiles Ontario, a new provincial no-cost dental program, was launched for low-income children and youth under 18.
April is National Oral Health Month. This year, take further steps to actively improve your oral health. Work with your oral health care professional to maintain a healthy mouth. Proper oral health care practices can be instilled at a young age. By taking preventative steps to improve and maintain oral health, you reduce the risks of oral and other diseases for a better quality of life.
Visit york.ca for more information on dental services, programs and eligibility requirements or call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or TTY
1-866-252-9933.
Dr. Erica Weir, MD, MSc, CCFP, FRCPC, is Associate Medical Officer of Health, York Region Community and Health Services Department.
Medical research has established links between oral health and diseases such as diabetes and respiratory illness. People with diabetes are at greater risk for gum disease and it has been proven that the same bacteria found in dental plaque can be inhaled into the lungs where it may aggravate an existing lung condition or cause an infection. Studies are investigating whether pregnant women with gum disease are at higher risk for delivering pre-term and low birth weight babies. And new research suggests a possible connection between gum disease and heart disease and stroke.
Poor oral health can also have social consequences. A healthy mouth helps people speak properly and chew food and enhances self-esteem. Oral diseases can be painful and debilitating and, in severe cases, if left untreated, can lead to life-threatening complications.
Oral health care should begin before a child’s first tooth appears. Introducing good oral health care practices at birth helps to minimize the risk of early childhood tooth decay, a disease that can form rapidly, affecting babies and young children. It also sets the foundation for good oral health care, contributing to a better overall quality of life.
It is important to take good care of your oral health though all ages and stages.
According to the Canadian Health Measures Survey 2007 to 2009 (CHMS), the only clinically measured national data on oral health conditions, 17.3 per cent of Canadians reported avoiding a visit to an oral health care professional and 16.5 per cent reported declining recommended care due to costs. Although cavities can largely be prevented, 57 per cent of children aged six to 11, 59 per cent of youth aged 12 to 19 and 96 per cent of adults surveyed had a history of cavities. As well, 21 per cent of adults with natural teeth reported they have had a moderate or severe gum problem. The CHMS also concluded lower income families and people with no dental insurance were declining visits or recommended care three to four times more often than higher income families. These survey findings clearly identify income as a strong determinant of access to oral health care and good oral health.
The goal of York Region’s Community and Health Services dental program is to increase oral health awareness among children and parents and to provide dental screening, targeted preventive care and early dental treatment for eligible children. According to the 2006 census, approximately 15 per cent of York Region children under the age of 18 live in low-income households that may find the cost of dental services prohibitive. Through regional and provincial funding, the program offers no-cost dental screening and preventive dental services to eligible children until their 18th birthday.
In 2009, York Region screened more than 49,000 children. As well, approximately 1,000 children and youth were administered preventive dental treatment and more than 2,900 children and youth with urgent dental needs were referred for treatment to community dentists under the Children In Need Of Treatment (CINOT) program.
CINOT is an urgent dental care program funded by the province and York Region. In the past two years, as part of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, the CINOT program was expanded to include children up to their 18th birthday and Healthy Smiles Ontario, a new provincial no-cost dental program, was launched for low-income children and youth under 18.
April is National Oral Health Month. This year, take further steps to actively improve your oral health. Work with your oral health care professional to maintain a healthy mouth. Proper oral health care practices can be instilled at a young age. By taking preventative steps to improve and maintain oral health, you reduce the risks of oral and other diseases for a better quality of life.
Visit york.ca for more information on dental services, programs and eligibility requirements or call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or TTY
1-866-252-9933.
Dr. Erica Weir, MD, MSc, CCFP, FRCPC, is Associate Medical Officer of Health, York Region Community and Health Services Department.
Do you have a public health-related question? Call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653
- Dr. Erica Weir — beingwell magazine
- |
- Apr 07, 2011 - 1:29 P
Friday, April 8, 2011
It’s time to start talking with senior parents Even experts surprised by issues of elder care
Don Dority was at work when he received a phone call from his mother.
“I’m at the airport. Can you come pick me up?”
Mr. Dority jumped in the car and drove to his mother, not at the airport, as she had directed, but rather, to her Don Mills home.
It was with a sense of foreboding when he pulled into her suburban driveway. There she was, in front of the house, surrounded by “all kinds of crazy things” — her kitchen plates, the drainer from the sink. Mr. Dority’s heart sank. He knew his life — and his mother’s — were forever changed.
“I called my friends, said ‘What do I do?’ I’d known she was old, and getting a little forgetful, but she’d been in relatively good condition.”
Mr. Dority brought her to the hospital’s emergency department where he learned his mother had “significant cognitive dementia”. She never returned to her family home.
“Sometimes these things just catch you by surprise,” Mr. Dority says. “Life has its challenging times.”
Today, Mr. Dority’s mother is a permanent resident in a home for the aged.
And as the only child, Mr. Dority is executor and power of attorney. He also has power of attorney for his aunt and uncle, and a consulting role in the car of his mother-in-law. He admits it can be overwhelming, but it is becoming a fact of life for an increasing number of baby boomers.
A new study points to the importance of tackling these life changes ahead of time — before there’s a crisis like the one faced by Mr. Dority. But the same study shows discussing this sensitive subject is not always that easy for parents or their ‘boomer’ kids.
According to research conducted by Home Instead Senior Care, the biggest obstacle, is the continuation of the parent-child role. Many seniors may still be dealing with their grown sons or daughters as if they are children rather than adults. And many of those seniors’ offspring may be having trouble reversing the role too.
And similar to Mr. Dority, there isn’t always advance warning.
That’s what Thornhill resident Jean Irwin discovered.
Ms Irwin’s father died suddenly two years ago. Up until that point, Ms Irwin’s mother, Frances Will, was the picture of good health. Mrs. Will, a former high school teacher, had walked miles every day, drove her own car, cooked meals for 10, never had a headache or cold. She loved to golf and kept an impeccable house. Over the years Ms Irwin’s father had tried to persuade Mrs. Will to give up their large Ottawa house, to move into a smaller home, but she was determined to hang on.
Then, Mr. Will suffered a massive heart attack and was gone. Not long afterward, Ms Irwin’s active mother was carrying milk bags from the garage into the house and her world changed. She suffered a compression fracture in her back.
The pain was excruciating, the injury debilitating. Ms Irwin was plunged into a role of caregiver for which she was unprepared.
“I never anticipated I’d be in that situation,” Ms Irwin says. “They were always the parents and I was the child.”
Her parents had talked minimally about their aging, but up until recently her mother clung to life with fierceness. Now she says she’s “ready to go,” Ms Irwin says. “Life is so totally changed.”
She thinks a big part of the problem is people don’t like talking about the end stages of life.
Studies bear that out. The Home Instead survey of 1000 United States and 500 Canadians found baby boomers have the most difficulty talking with their parents about sensitive independence issues, such as leaving home and giving up the car keys.
These hurdles may be easier to overcome when families follow what Home Instead has coined the “40-70 Rule”.
Sharon Galway, an expert on aging with Home Instead who spoke in Richmond Hill at a conference sponsored by the Ontario Community Support Association and the Ontario Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse, explains it this way: If you are 40, or your parents are 70, it’s time to start talking. Wait longer than that, she says, and serious problems can evolve.
Ms Galway, a Richmond Hill resident, found this out the hard way herself. Several years ago, when her father-in-law’s health was failing and her own young family and work as a nurse were demanding much of her time, she arranged for respite care to help him in the evenings.
He was a stalwart, self-sufficient man who kept his relationships business-like, refusing much of his family’s help. “We never had the ability to really open up the lines of communication” Ms Galway remembers.
And so when the crisis happened, they were shocked. They discovered that during a six-month period, the respite caregivers had been robbing the elderly man and Ms Galway hadn’t had a clue.
“We missed everything. The signs in the bank accounts, they took things (such as) the diamond rings, we just had no idea. If we’d been more communicative we might have discovered it sooner, but he was so independent and we didn’t see the hints until it was too late.”
Much has happened in Ms Galway’s life since then. She entered the field of elder abuse and later opened a home-care business in North York and southern York Region, but more importantly, Ms Galway has changed the way she interacts with her 84-year-old mother.
“She’s all I have left. I want to enjoy the experience, on her terms, not mine.” Rather than rush through visits, she tries to slow down, focus, turn off her cell phone, change the pace of the conversations and where they take place.
“I talk to her about protecting her independence, and about what her life has meant, and what legacy she wants to leave.”
Many people put off those delicate conversations until a crisis forces the issue, says Ms Galway. “Maybe your father’s broken a hip, ends up in emergency and you’re told dad can’t go home, that it’s not safe for him. You don’t want to wait for that, until you’re being told what to do and you’re facing 24-hour care and you can’t afford it and what do you do now. You want to look at prevention rather than crisis intervention. Seniors these days are going to live a long time.”
And there’s going to be a lot more of them.
“We’re just on the cusp of it now,” Ms Galway says. “We’re looking at a big wave coming our way.”
Statistics Canada predicts the number of seniors will double by 2026, making up 21 per cent of the population.
At the same time, family dynamics have changed, says Judy Best, operator of Home Instead Senior Care in Oshawa, and co-presenter at the Richmond Hill conference.
The job of caring for aging relatives used to fall to the women in a family, says Ms Best, but with more women in the workplace, that’s much more difficult.
And no longer do we have communal families with three generations living under one roof – or even grandma living in the same town.
Long-distance care-giving is a big challenge, she adds.
Jean Irwin understands about that challenge. Ms Irwin’s mother lives in Ottawa, and Ms Irwin, who lives in Thornhill, works at a bank. It means she must find time to make regular four-hour drives to visit with her and take her to medical appointments.
Finding out that others are facing the same challenges can be helpful, says Don Dority. “It’s hard sometimes – I never thought when I was 30, 35 years old, that I would actually be caring for my parents. Medical technology these days means they’re living longer and there’s a need for more supportive help to go on for a very long time.
“But any good responsible child takes on these responsibilities. That’s just the way life will be.”
“I’m at the airport. Can you come pick me up?”
Mr. Dority jumped in the car and drove to his mother, not at the airport, as she had directed, but rather, to her Don Mills home.
It was with a sense of foreboding when he pulled into her suburban driveway. There she was, in front of the house, surrounded by “all kinds of crazy things” — her kitchen plates, the drainer from the sink. Mr. Dority’s heart sank. He knew his life — and his mother’s — were forever changed.
“I called my friends, said ‘What do I do?’ I’d known she was old, and getting a little forgetful, but she’d been in relatively good condition.”
Mr. Dority brought her to the hospital’s emergency department where he learned his mother had “significant cognitive dementia”. She never returned to her family home.
“Sometimes these things just catch you by surprise,” Mr. Dority says. “Life has its challenging times.”
Today, Mr. Dority’s mother is a permanent resident in a home for the aged.
And as the only child, Mr. Dority is executor and power of attorney. He also has power of attorney for his aunt and uncle, and a consulting role in the car of his mother-in-law. He admits it can be overwhelming, but it is becoming a fact of life for an increasing number of baby boomers.
A new study points to the importance of tackling these life changes ahead of time — before there’s a crisis like the one faced by Mr. Dority. But the same study shows discussing this sensitive subject is not always that easy for parents or their ‘boomer’ kids.
According to research conducted by Home Instead Senior Care, the biggest obstacle, is the continuation of the parent-child role. Many seniors may still be dealing with their grown sons or daughters as if they are children rather than adults. And many of those seniors’ offspring may be having trouble reversing the role too.
And similar to Mr. Dority, there isn’t always advance warning.
That’s what Thornhill resident Jean Irwin discovered.
Ms Irwin’s father died suddenly two years ago. Up until that point, Ms Irwin’s mother, Frances Will, was the picture of good health. Mrs. Will, a former high school teacher, had walked miles every day, drove her own car, cooked meals for 10, never had a headache or cold. She loved to golf and kept an impeccable house. Over the years Ms Irwin’s father had tried to persuade Mrs. Will to give up their large Ottawa house, to move into a smaller home, but she was determined to hang on.
Then, Mr. Will suffered a massive heart attack and was gone. Not long afterward, Ms Irwin’s active mother was carrying milk bags from the garage into the house and her world changed. She suffered a compression fracture in her back.
The pain was excruciating, the injury debilitating. Ms Irwin was plunged into a role of caregiver for which she was unprepared.
“I never anticipated I’d be in that situation,” Ms Irwin says. “They were always the parents and I was the child.”
Her parents had talked minimally about their aging, but up until recently her mother clung to life with fierceness. Now she says she’s “ready to go,” Ms Irwin says. “Life is so totally changed.”
She thinks a big part of the problem is people don’t like talking about the end stages of life.
Studies bear that out. The Home Instead survey of 1000 United States and 500 Canadians found baby boomers have the most difficulty talking with their parents about sensitive independence issues, such as leaving home and giving up the car keys.
These hurdles may be easier to overcome when families follow what Home Instead has coined the “40-70 Rule”.
Sharon Galway, an expert on aging with Home Instead who spoke in Richmond Hill at a conference sponsored by the Ontario Community Support Association and the Ontario Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse, explains it this way: If you are 40, or your parents are 70, it’s time to start talking. Wait longer than that, she says, and serious problems can evolve.
Ms Galway, a Richmond Hill resident, found this out the hard way herself. Several years ago, when her father-in-law’s health was failing and her own young family and work as a nurse were demanding much of her time, she arranged for respite care to help him in the evenings.
He was a stalwart, self-sufficient man who kept his relationships business-like, refusing much of his family’s help. “We never had the ability to really open up the lines of communication” Ms Galway remembers.
And so when the crisis happened, they were shocked. They discovered that during a six-month period, the respite caregivers had been robbing the elderly man and Ms Galway hadn’t had a clue.
“We missed everything. The signs in the bank accounts, they took things (such as) the diamond rings, we just had no idea. If we’d been more communicative we might have discovered it sooner, but he was so independent and we didn’t see the hints until it was too late.”
Much has happened in Ms Galway’s life since then. She entered the field of elder abuse and later opened a home-care business in North York and southern York Region, but more importantly, Ms Galway has changed the way she interacts with her 84-year-old mother.
“She’s all I have left. I want to enjoy the experience, on her terms, not mine.” Rather than rush through visits, she tries to slow down, focus, turn off her cell phone, change the pace of the conversations and where they take place.
“I talk to her about protecting her independence, and about what her life has meant, and what legacy she wants to leave.”
Many people put off those delicate conversations until a crisis forces the issue, says Ms Galway. “Maybe your father’s broken a hip, ends up in emergency and you’re told dad can’t go home, that it’s not safe for him. You don’t want to wait for that, until you’re being told what to do and you’re facing 24-hour care and you can’t afford it and what do you do now. You want to look at prevention rather than crisis intervention. Seniors these days are going to live a long time.”
And there’s going to be a lot more of them.
“We’re just on the cusp of it now,” Ms Galway says. “We’re looking at a big wave coming our way.”
Statistics Canada predicts the number of seniors will double by 2026, making up 21 per cent of the population.
At the same time, family dynamics have changed, says Judy Best, operator of Home Instead Senior Care in Oshawa, and co-presenter at the Richmond Hill conference.
The job of caring for aging relatives used to fall to the women in a family, says Ms Best, but with more women in the workplace, that’s much more difficult.
And no longer do we have communal families with three generations living under one roof – or even grandma living in the same town.
Long-distance care-giving is a big challenge, she adds.
Jean Irwin understands about that challenge. Ms Irwin’s mother lives in Ottawa, and Ms Irwin, who lives in Thornhill, works at a bank. It means she must find time to make regular four-hour drives to visit with her and take her to medical appointments.
Finding out that others are facing the same challenges can be helpful, says Don Dority. “It’s hard sometimes – I never thought when I was 30, 35 years old, that I would actually be caring for my parents. Medical technology these days means they’re living longer and there’s a need for more supportive help to go on for a very long time.
“But any good responsible child takes on these responsibilities. That’s just the way life will be.”
Experts in aging offer the following suggestions:
• Approach the issue as a problem-solving discussion. Rather than say “I wouldn’t worry so much if you were in a nursing home,” try “where do you want to be down the road, and let’s figure out how we can make that possible.”
• Listen for what your parents want to talk about, and if you’re finding too much resistance, back off. If you push too hard, you may just be setting up more roadblocks because the senior is trying to protect his independence.
• If possible, arrange family meetings so that all siblings have a role, whether they are local or long-distance.
• Approach each issue as it arises, rather than barrage your parent with multiple concerns all at once.
• Approach the issue as a problem-solving discussion. Rather than say “I wouldn’t worry so much if you were in a nursing home,” try “where do you want to be down the road, and let’s figure out how we can make that possible.”
• Listen for what your parents want to talk about, and if you’re finding too much resistance, back off. If you push too hard, you may just be setting up more roadblocks because the senior is trying to protect his independence.
• If possible, arrange family meetings so that all siblings have a role, whether they are local or long-distance.
• Approach each issue as it arises, rather than barrage your parent with multiple concerns all at once.
- Kim Zarzour
- |
- Nov 13, 2008 - 1:10 AM
How to Care for Those with Alzheimer's
Over 27% of Americans have a family member with Alzheimer’s.
Caring for an older loved one is never easy, but caring for someone with Alzheimer’s presents special challenges. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that 40% of these caregivers suffer a “high” level of emotional stress. And according to a study published by The Journal of Immunology, caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can actually shorten a caregiver's life by up to 8 years!
The truth is that individuals with Alzheimer’s are extremely difficult to care for. Seeing someone you love slowly slip away takes an incredible emotional toll.
Given the seriousness of symptoms like memory loss, wandering and hallucination, people with Alzheimer’s often require “around the clock” care. They cannot be left alone for a minute. And most family caregivers who try to provide this level of 24/7 care eventually feel overwhelmed and exhausted.
Dr. Kathy Johnson, PhD, CMC, Certified Geriatric Care Manager and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Home Care Assistance offers the following suggestions to those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s:
1. Contact the Alzheimer's Association or your local senior center. Both will help you find the appropriate resources and support groups to join.
1. Contact the Alzheimer's Association or your local senior center. Both will help you find the appropriate resources and support groups to join.
2. Arrange for respite care. Do not hesitate to call relatives, neighbors or friends and ask for help. Put together a weekly schedule of people you trust. This will allow you the time you need to run errands, buy groceries, or take a few hours off from caregiving. Home care agencies like Home Care Assistance are experts when it comes to respite care. Whether you need a caregiver for a few hours or 24/7, we are there for you.
3. Research Adult Day Care Centers. These are daily programs that typically run from 9am-4pm. Families will drop off their loved one for the day, knowing they are in a safe, professional environment.
4. Hire a Geriatric Care Manager. Visit www.caremanager.org for a list of care managers in your area. These professionals will coordinate all the services you need. As a result, your stress level will be reduced and your loved one will have your full attention.
5. Read a book, medical journal or go online. The more you know about Alzheimer’s the better. Those who are highly informed on this disease will make smarter decisions when it comes to caregiving.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Get your body moving!
Even those who have chronic illnesses ex.( heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis) can exercise safely. Many of these conditions are improved with exercise. If you are not sure if exercise is safe for you or if you are currently inactive, ask your doctor.
If it's been a while since you've been fairly active, and you're lacking motivation, then try the following steps to get yourself started today:
If it's been a while since you've been fairly active, and you're lacking motivation, then try the following steps to get yourself started today:
- Wear loose and comfortable clothing to allow for ease of motion.
- Make sure you have comfortable, well fitting shoes. (arch supports if required)
- Start slowly and ease yourself into exercising. Some low impact exercises include; walking, swimming, tai chi, and specific types of yoga.
- Include a 5 minute warm up and cool down session before and after your exercise. Warm up sessions can include slow walking and stretching.
- Start with a reasonable goal. 20 - 30 minutes of exercise, 2-3 times a week should be a good starting point. After you have become accustomed to this routine, increase your goal to 3 - 4 times per week.
If you find yourself suffering from the following conditions after exercising, discontinue and consult your physician.
- Chest pain or pressure
- Trouble breathing or excessive shortness of breath
- Light-headedness or dizziness
- Difficulty with balance
- Nausea
Signs of a Kidney Stone Attack or Infection
Many people say that the pain caused by a kidney stone is strong enough to cripple the toughest of victims. But do you know the signs to look out for? Of course, no five-step program should replace a doctor's diagnosis, but keeping an eye out for common symptoms of a kidney stone attack is smart.
1. Fever or general fatigue are often initially reported from patients that have endured a kidney stone attack. This is usually accompanied by a dull back pain near the pelvis and walking becomes uncomfortable.
2. Sharp pain on one side of the lower back region is usually a sign of kidney stones. If the pain continues to increase, radiating to the abdomen, seek help immediately.
3. If blood in the urine is discovered, medical attention should be sought after. A deep orange color typically signifies dehydration, unless you are experiencing sharp pains like the kind described above.
4. Gender and family medical histories are sure signs that point to your susceptibility to kidney disease. The majority of kidney stone sufferers are usually men. However, some researchers believe that your chances of getting an attack are higher if a parent or grandparent has had a kidney stone attack. Those who are prone to attacks should always be properly hydrated and make sure a bathroom is nearby- withholding urination only complicates the issue!
Talk with a doctor about a possible diagnosis, and visit an accredited health site such as www.webmd.com for additional symptoms
By Home Care Assistance, 11:01 am on March 31, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Clean Your Way into Spring!
What better way to say goodbye to the gloom of Winter and welcome in the brighter months of Spring than to spruce up your home with some cleaning and organizing? As seniors age, managing household clutter can be a very challenging prospect, especially for caregivers and family members. These helpful cleaning tips are sure to lead to a safer, healthier and happier home!
Be wise about your time: Clean what you can given the amount of time you have. If you only have 15 minutes, put your dishes away or organize a bookshelf. Be practical and realistic.
Be efficient: The more thoroughly you clean a space, the less time you will have to spend going back to re-clean it. Cleaning from top to bottom is the most efficient. Also, invest in some tools that will get those hard-to-reach places, so you don’t miss any spots and have to spend more time cleaning them in the future.
Learn how to purge: Less is more. A good rule of thumb when purging is to get rid of an item if you haven’t used it in a year. Holding on to unused items only crowds your living space and makes life messier. If you are helping a senior who is resistant to letting things go, avoid calling anything “junk” and instead use phrases like “treasure hunting.” Remind them that others can benefit from these items through a charitable service – or that they can bring in money through a site like eBay or Craigslist!
Organize with savvy: Be creative with your organization. You can find decorative storage boxes, as well as storage coffee tables and ottomans, which are perfect for small items or magazines. For things that need to be seen, organizing by height is efficient and aesthetically pleasing.
If this all seems a little overwhelming, remember Home Care Assistance caregivers are here to personallyassist you with treasure hunting, housekeeping, laundry, cooking and other daily living tasks. Contact ustoday to learn more about the home care services we can offer to you or a loved one. We are here to ensure that seniors live happy, safe and healthy lives!
1-866-4-LiveIn
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