“A caregiver is a person who informally cares for and supports a family member, friend, neighbor, or individual who frail, ill, or disabled, and who lives at home or in a care facility.”

According to a recent Statistics Canada survey over 2 million Canadians provide some kind of informal home care to their elder parents.  According to the same study the typical provider is:

• Female
• Aged 40 -60
• An immediate family member
• Working full-time
• Balancing other activities such as raising a family
• Likely to be caring for an elderly parent or spouse

As caregivers and potential caregivers we need to be alert to the signs that our aging parents need more care and support than they are willing to admit to while still respecting their rights to live at risk.  Some signs are obvious such as a suddenly worsening condition but many are subtle.  We need to learn to watch for the simple things in life that we take for granted but which, for the challenged senior, are becoming increasingly unmanageable.

Watch out for:

• A house falling into disrepair
• Housework not done/decreasing level of household cleanliness
• Increasing phone calls to you at work
• Lonely
• Increasing number of falls
• Food spoiling in the refrigerator
• No or minimal food in the refrigerator and home
• Lack of attention to personal hygiene
• More forgetful
• Loss of support system
• Recent death of a loved one or close friend

The decision to employ outside help is one that should include the elderly involved as well as the caregiver.  It is often difficult for parents to admit to needing the help for fear of being “sent to a home”.  Admitting weakness makes them afraid that you will step in and take over.  Outside help, however, can be the lifesaver that both parties need.  Research, talk, interview … with help a positive solution can be reached for all parties involved.

Wishing you a great week!

Susanne

It took me a long time to figure out that I am a creator.  Now that isn’t nearly as presumptuous as it sounds … Really!  I paint … pictures that is!  I take photographs.  I knit … in my own unique way … I write … and I build things – company-type-things …

Eight years ago I envisioned an organization that would:

1. help seniors to remain safely in their homes
2. assist them in retaining their independence and dignity
3. help to ease the stresses and minds of the “Sandwich Generation” children who so often turn into the Primary Caregivers
4. And, that would give assistance to the many young families who live so far away from their families and support systems.

I imagined that we would become like the Extended Families of old … a place for people to turn whether they were at the beginning, the middle or nearing the end of their lives.  I’m happy to say that I think we’ve done that.  And that, as Martha Stewart would say “is a good thing!”

At this site you’ll find:

• Information about our services … if that’s what you’re looking for.
• Tips for helping seniors to live safer lives.
• Monthly – healthy – recipes … because after all is said and done we could all use a little more healthy food in our lives.
• Articles geared towards helping “The Sandwich Generation”.
• Suggestions for new moms
• Motivation and (hopefully) inspiration
• And links galore.

Please feel free to suggest links or sites that YOU have found to be helpful in your own journey to ensure the wellbeing of those you love … I can’t know them all … but I am happy to share when information comes to my attention.

So … Happy reading … And have a WONDERFUL day ….

Susanne

Founder & Owner of “The Compassionate Advantage”