Lori’s Custom Home Care

08/02/2023

6 SIGNS THAT IT’S TIME TO CONSIDER SENIOR CARE

1. Changes in physical health
One of the clearest signs that it’s likely time to find care is witnessing changes in their physical health.
This could include difficulties with mobility, chronic pain, or new diagnoses of medical conditions.

If you notice they are having trouble getting around their home, using the bathroom, or performing other activities of daily living, it may be time to consider getting help from professionals.

This can help ensure that they have the support and assistance they need to stay safe and comfortable.

2. Changes in mental health
In addition to physical health changes, changes in cognitive ability or mental health are also signs that it’s time for more regular care.

You may witness symptoms of depression or anxiety, confusion, forgetfulness, or general cognitive decline.

If you observe that your loved one is having trouble remembering things or getting confused easily, it may be wise to begin researching memory care or another type of senior care that specializes in providing support for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Increased isolation
As people age, they often become more isolated. In fact, around 43% of adults aged 65 or over report feeling lonely on a regular basis.

We know that social isolation can have serious negative impacts on mental and physical health, not to mention the emotional impact.

If you notice that your loved one is spending more time alone than normal, is making comments regarding their loneliness, or even begins to withdraw, it may be time to consider a care option that can provide this vital socialization and companionship.

4. Safety concerns
Any concerns regarding safety is another significant factor to consider.

Experiencing frequent falls, leaving the stove on, or forgetting to take important medications are all red flags that can become dangerous without intervention.

Exploring care options that can provide the necessary support and assistance will help protect them from accidental harm.

5. Caregiver burnout
Another personal factor to consider is caregiver burnout.

Caregivers often experience stress, anxiety, and exhaustion as they try to juggle their own responsibilities with the demands of caregiving.

If you’re a caregiver for a family member and are experiencing burnout, it’s crucial to recognize that you alone may no longer be able to provide the level of care that your loved one now needs.

6. Financial considerations
Finally, you’ll need to consider the financial implications of senior care.

In-home care, assisted living, and most other forms of care can be costly, and it’s important to carefully evaluate your financial situation before making a decision.

However, it’s also important to consider the long-term costs of not seeking out care.

For example, if they experience a fall or other medical emergency due to a lack of needed support, the costs of hospitalization and rehabilitation can be immense.
*dailycaring.com

07/29/2023

Dehydration is a common and serious health problem for seniors

Preventing dehydration is important because it can cause serious health issues and is a common cause of hospitalization in people over age 65.
Being properly hydrated is also needed for certain medications to work.
Ideally, we’d be able to prevent seniors from getting dehydrated, but it’s tough to increase someone’s fluid intake when they won’t cooperate.
To make it easier to keep your older adult hydrated, we share 6 creative tips for getting seniors to drink more water.

6 ways to get seniors to drink more water

1. Remember that there are many sources of fluids
People don’t have to drink only plain water to get hydrated. Coffee, tea, fruit juice, sweetened beverages, fruits, and vegetables all contain water.

If dehydration is a serious issue for your older adult, but they really resist drinking healthy fluids, it may be necessary to make trade-offs like allowing them to drink less healthy options like sugary drinks or diet soda.

To be sure that the pros outweigh the cons and their overall health will benefit, speak with their doctor. first

Or, try serving more foods with high water content to increase hydration without drinking fluids.

2. Keep water close by at all times
Sometimes, making it easy for seniors to serve themselves could encourage them to drink more water.

Try keeping a lightweight pitcher of water and a cup near their favorite seat to make it quick and convenient to take a drink.

3. Experiment with beverages at different temperatures
Your senior may prefer hot drinks to cold, or the other way around. Experiment to find out which type they like better.

Try different things like warming up juices, making decaf iced coffee with cream, or adding plain soda water to make tea or juice bubbly.

4. Try something savory
Those who like savory foods may enjoy drinking hot soup broth instead of a sweet or neutral tasting beverage.

For convenience, the broth could come from a can, box, or powder. It’s especially comforting in cold weather.

And if your older adult is watching their sodium intake, make sure to get a low sodium broth or consider making homemade broth.

5. Make popsicles
Homemade popsicles made from fruit juice or a mix of juice and water are a great treat and a great way to get more fluids into your older adult.

6. Offer smoothies, milkshakes, Ensure, sports drinks
Some stubborn older adults may really resist drinking fluids.

If so, you could try enticing them with smoothies, milkshakes, Ensure, or sports drinks even if they’re not the healthiest choices.

If they like the flavor or texture of these options, they may be more willing to drink them regularly.

*dailycaring.com

07/19/2023

Great information!

Diet and exercise play a critical role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Even if you have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis, it’s never too late to help strengthen your bones and surrounding muscles that support your bones. Calcium, Vitamin D and milk product consumption, along with weight-bearing exercise, are key factors in maintaining peak bone mass.

Learn more about this in our FREE ebook!

https://hubs.la/Q01WMT160

07/18/2023

5 TIPS TO IMPROVE SLEEP IN DEMENTIA

1. Consider the lighting
Our minds depend on natural light to help maintain a healthy sleep-wake cycle. Help your loved one experience light during the daytime and darkness at night.
Using a light therapy lamp in the mornings is a good habit to develop since we can’t always count on sunny days.
Then in the evening, be sure the curtains or blinds are closed to help cue your loved one that it will soon be time to sleep.

2. Be active and exercise for at least 30 minutes per day
The Alzheimer’s Association recommends exercising at least 4 hours before bedtime.
Researchers found that daily habits of using a light therapy lamp and walking helped people with dementia to sleep 32% more during the night. Not only that, they also woke up an average of 5 less times during the night.
So walk, lift weights or canned goods, do some seated exercises, or work on some chores together.
Staying active will help your loved one to be tired by bedtime.

3. Make sure their physical needs are met before going to bed
Have they gone to the bathroom? Brushed their teeth? Is the temperature comfortable?
Are their pajamas comfortable? Or – and this might be uncomfortable for you to think about – maybe they prefer to not wear pajamas to bed at all.
Go with their preferences and routine.
The whole focus is to make sure they are comfortable and in the “ready for bed” mindset when they actually go to bed and don’t feel the need to get up during the night.

4. Play relaxing sounds before and during bedtime
Listening to music has been shown to increase deep sleep and REM stages, which restore energy, relax the muscles, and lower blood pressure.
Don’t stress about trying to find the perfect soothing sound for your loved one; just focus on something low and slow without lyrics.
It could be music, nature sounds, or just static white noise.
While some people like listening to audiobooks, podcasts, or even the TV as they fall asleep, for many people with dementia, listening to someone’s voice (especially at night in the dark) could be energizing, distracting, or even scary.

5. Use aromatherapy and hand rubs
Research shows that breathing in certain essential oils like lavender, sweet orange, and cedarwood help people with dementia to have longer, uninterrupted periods of sleep throughout the night.
You can disperse the oils using a diffuser, by putting a few drops on a towel draped over the pillow at bedtime, or even using an aromatherapy lotion.
Hand rubs, especially using aromatherapy, have been shown to help people with dementia to relax and wake up fewer times during the night.

When your loved one sleeps better, you will sleep better too.

*dailycaring.com

07/14/2023

THE 3 TYPES OF PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE..
1. The Leaf people
2. The Branch people
3. The Root people

LEAF PEOPLE:
These are people who come into your life just for a season. You can't depend on them because they are weak. They only come to take what they want, but if the wind comes they will leave.
You need to be careful of these people because they love you when things are okay, but when the wind comes they will leave you

BRANCH PEOPLE:
They are strong, but you need to be careful with them too. They break away when life becomes tough and they can't handle too much weight. They may stay with you in some seasons, but they will go when it becomes harder

ROOT PEOPLE:
These people are very important because they don't do things to be seen. They are supportive even if you go through a difficult time they will water you and they are not moved by your position they just love you like that ...
It's not all people you meet or are your friends, that will stay with you.
Only the root type of people will stay no matter the season

Source: Insider Press

Identify people accordingly and remember, not everyone comes to permanently stay. Therefore, never make permanent decisions with temporary people. It may affect you big time in the future.

07/07/2023

10 ways to keep seniors cool in hot weather

Drink plenty of cool water throughout the day (don’t wait until they feel thirsty) and avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Eat cooling snacks like homemade popsicles that are light on sugar (Tip: catch drips with a cupcake liner), frozen peas, or slightly frozen grapes.
Eat light, cold meals like chicken or pasta salad instead of heavy, hot dishes like pot roast.
Place a cool washcloth on the back of the neck and a pan of cool water close by to periodically re-cool the towel.
Sit with feet in a pan of cool (but not too cold) water.
Keep the house as cool as possible by keeping shades closed during the hottest part of the day and using inexpensive mylar solar curtains.
Wear layers of lightweight clothing in light-colored, breathable fabrics like cotton so it’s easy to adjust to the temperature throughout the day by removing or adding layers.
Visit a public cooling center like a recreation center, senior center, library, coffee shop, or shopping mall.
Take a cool shower, bath, or washcloth wipe-down. For maximum cooling, keep the water just below body temperature.
Cover up with a flexible ice blanket – always use a towel to protect fragile senior skin from direct contact with the ice.

*dailycaring.com

07/07/2023

A great resource for all programs available in New Brunswick.

This website is the public online version of the database used by information and referral specialists for the 211 telephone/email service.

07/03/2023

This will be us soon!

07/03/2023

A little about Lori’s Custom Home Care.

I grew up living with my grandparents and while helping them through the various stages of their lives. I discovered my passion for helping others. From learning how to put curlers in my grandmother’s hair on Wednesday’s to making a home cooked meal and having dinner with my grandfather after my grandmother passed.

Over the span of the twenty-two years as a PSW I have worked in both private and government funded home care. The inconsistent caregivers, cancelled visits due to not having anyone available or having to rearrange clients schedule to fit the agencies available times. Is why I want to improve the delivery of PSW services to the community and provide the support clients need without restrictions.

The most important principal for me is the safety and well-being of my clients, while providing exceptional and positive care. I believe in providing support as if you were my loved one.

07/01/2023

Happy Canada Day!

06/30/2023

Welcome to Lori’s Custom Home Care

We specialize in creating a schedule that works for you! We are there when YOU needs us. If it’s daily, weekly, biweekly, day or night, short term or long term We will meet your needs.

Our compassionate team of caregivers provide a friendly and positive environment, while providing the following services:

Companionship
Light housekeeping
Shopping
Running errands
Appointments
Personal care
Meal preparation
Well-being check ins
Respite

Our caregivers have extensive knowledge and experience in the following areas
Dementia
Alzheimer’s
Mental Health
Acquired Brain Injury
Palliative Care

Our caregivers are available for days, afternoons, evenings as well as overnights.
CPR First Aid certified
References available
Insured

Contact today for a free consultation