The subject of brain health, along with preventing memory loss and dementia is frequently in the news these days. We think it is important to have an understanding of the limits to, and parameters of, brain health training in order to effectively choose a programme, try to develop your own course, or even do your [read more…]
Mental Health
Undoing Aloneness: Caring for Caregivers
Many of us know someone–a friend, a colleague, a client or a customer– who is a caregiver. We might see their stress and worry and want to help, but feel uncomfortable and not know what to do or say. This month Elder Voice focuses on how we can care for the caregivers in our lives. [read more…]
Touch, Healing, and Seniors’ Quality of Life
“I was touched by your thoughtfulness.” “It was a touching movie.” “Do Not Touch the Exhibit!” The importance of touch is shown by how it permeates our language and by efforts at controlling how and what we touch in our daily lives. This month Elder Voice discusses touch and the elderly. The importance of touch [read more…]
Diagnosing Dementia
Family members noticing a loved one is having problems with memory are often confused and frightened by what they see. They may wonder if it is the beginning of dementia. This newsletter discusses what dementia is and how it is diagnosed. Dementia is a term for a cluster of symptoms caused by death of brain [read more…]
Medications and Behaviour
One of the fears caregivers often have about placing a loved one in a Nursing Home is that the home will “drug” them to keep them placid and manageable. While it is true that there are often situations when medication is prescribed to control an elderly person’s behaviour, both in a Nursing Home and in [read more…]
Depression and the Elderly
The good news is that most older people do not suffer from depression. The bad news is that a significant number do so. Estimates of the incidence of clinical depression among the elderly range from 5-10% in the community, and up to 40% or more who live in Residential Care. If you add in the [read more…]
Sleep and Sleep Problems in Aging
Sleep studies have found that up to 50% of people over 65 have chronic sleep complaints. These can include problems with falling asleep, restlessness or waking during sleep, and shortened sleep period. It is often assumed that older people don’t need as much sleep as younger people. This is not true: older people need the [read more…]
Supporting One Parent Caregiving the Other
Adult children who are trying to support either a mother or father who is caregiving for the other parent are in a situation which has some unique aspects. They may become upset at the caregiver parent’s actions, but not know what it means or how to help. Sometimes it seems like there are conflicting demands–who [read more…]
Checklist For Care: Seniors and Medications
Over-medication and mis-medication are serious problems for older people. One study found that as much as 50% of all medication used by seniors is used inappropriately. Caregivers and professionals who are involved with older people need to be aware of the reasons this occurs and the symptoms which indicate there is a problem with medications. [read more…]
