Family Caregiver Newsmagazine April 2017.Pdf
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FaThemilyCaregiver NEWSMAGAZINE Let’s Get You Home ... page 13 FREE Making home a safe place... Resolving family conflict... Health Links courtesy of page 5 page 8 page 20 South East APRIL 2017 www.thefamilycaregiver.com OPENING THE DOOR TO BATHING CARE Falls are a major threat to the health and independence of older adults, people aged 65 and older. Each year in Canada nearly 1/3 of older adults experience a fall. Falls can be devasta�ng and result AACCESSIBLECCESSIBLE AANDND SSAFEAFE in serious injury, such as hip fracture or head injury that requires hospitaliza�on. In addi�on to the physical and emo�onal pain, many people need to spend at least a year in rehabilita�on. There’s no ques�on that remaining in one’s home longer — and preserving one’s independence and dignity — is a top priority for aging Canadians. American Standard can help maintain your independence and keep your lifestyle without reloca�ng. Over 33% of adults over the age of 50 are making changes to their homes so that they can remain in them longer and avoid the high cost of re�rement living. For 140 years, American Standard has created innova�ons that have set and reset the standard for healthy living, living beau�fully and living responsibly at home, at work and around the world. Driven by DDEEPEEP AANDND SSPACIOUSPACIOUS a passion to improve lives, American Standard has become a leader in bathroom and kitchen solu�ons. Let’s make your home safer For informa�on call Don 1.800.209.4810 Ext 27 For all other inquiries call 1.416.435.0661 Call today to learn more about American Standard Walk-In Bathtubs. TEXTURED FLOOR CEO’S MESSAGE The Patients First Act is part of the government’s ongoing work under the Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care which aims to improve OF INTEREST TO SOUTH EAST READERS... the health care system in Ontario. The services offered by Community Care Access Centres (CCACs), will now be delivered by the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs). Therefore, this will be the final edition of The Family Caregiver Newsmagazine published by the South East CCAC. We have published 10 editions since 2013 and I hope and trust this information has helped family caregivers fulfil their important role. As we sunset the South East CCAC to transition to the South East LHIN, I am proud of the accomplishments of the South East CCAC. I would like to thank our staff, management, board of directors and service providers who have worked in partnership to provide home and community care to approximately 15,000 patients each day. The South East CCAC has consistently performed as a highly rated CCAC in Ontario as expressed by patients and their caregivers in the provincial client and caregiver experience evaluation. These partnerships also lead the CCAC to achieving Accreditation with Exemplary Standing in 2012. 10 Thank you to Caregiver Omnimedia for bringing the idea of The Family Caregiver Newsmagazine to us. This Newsmagazine supports goal six of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s 10 point plan Making home a safe place for seniors to strengthen home and community care by introducing expanded Un chez-vous plus sûr pour vos ainés ... page 5 caregiver supports to better recognize caregivers’ important role and to empower both caregivers and clients. A special thank you to our readers and the thousands of family Plenty of support available for caregivers caregivers who support loved ones so they are able to remain safe and Les sources de soutien pour les soignants cared for in the community. ne manquent pas ... page 7 Sincerely, Resolving Family Caregiver Conflict Jacqueline Redmond, CEO South East Community Care Access Centre Résoudre les conflits entre soignants familiaux ... page 8 Home automation for seniors Domotique pour les aînés ... page 10 The FamilyCaregiver Feature: .com Let’s Get You Home (Service Listings) PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER: Donald C. Fenn Le but… vous ramener à la maison! ... page 13 [email protected] EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT: Terrence J. Morgan [email protected] Living longer at home ... page 18 VICE PRESIDENT / ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Stuart Teather [email protected] FINANCE: Ann Fenn After a fall ... page 19 ACCOUNT MANAGER: Rick Billingshurst ART DIRECTOR: Gerri Callahan: [email protected] Health Links provides efficient care CAREGIVER OMNIMEDIA INC. P.O. Box 1060, 2130 King Road, King City, ON L7B 1B1 Les maillons santé offrent des soins efficients ... page 20 Phone: 905.833.6200 Toll-free: 1.800.209.4810 Fax: 905.833.2116 E-mail: [email protected] The Family Caregiver Newsmagazine is published 6x yearly, distributed through Care Coordinators daily and weekly newspapers. TFCN is available through select home care retail partners. Coordonnateur de Soins ... page 23 The information provided in The Family Caregiver Newsmagazine is for informational purpose only. It is not intended to replace or substitute for medical, legal or financial advice. The practical suggestions, advice and tips have been Fifty questions to save time, money & tears ... page 24 tested or reviewed by individuals or organizations involved in Family Caregiving. We welcome your comments and suggestions at [email protected]. Unsolicited manuscripts are invited but will not be returned. Local poet captures the south east heart and soul ... page 25 Publication mail agreement #41116033 Registration number 7207759 Note: Some articles in this publication have originally appeared on www.caring.com and are being reprinted here with permission Marketplace ... page 26 SOUTH EAST EDITION EDITOR: Gary Buffett: [email protected] April 2017 www.thefamilycaregiver.com 3 �������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������� ������������������������������������������� ��������������������������� �������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Making home a safe place for seniors PRISCILLA FERNANDES ing them more vulnerable to ER are caused by falls and Home Instead Senior Care Brampton falling and other accidents at other accidents at home, and home. about half of those accidents There’s no place like home. It’s By the age of 60 our pupils could have been prevented. a place of comfort and familiar- are about one-third of the size The most common issues are ity; a place where we feel safe they were at 20 years old. Cou- tripping hazards, storage that and protected. But for seniors, ple that with aging-related eye is too high or too low, and bath- a place they once considered conditions such as cataracts rooms without assistive equip- safe can become dangerous. and macular degeneration ment. Unfortunately, we often don’t and it can be difficult for sen- To start making a home safer think about how we can make iors to spot tripping hazards, for a senior loved one, remove home a safer place for seniors especially in low lighting. It’s potential tripping hazards until they’re returning home also difficult for older adults that could create a slip and fall from the hospital. to detect slick spots on floors situation. Put away throw rugs Seniors already have a high due to a decrease in blood flow and loose mats, and inspect risk of injuring themselves at to nerve endings that reduces large rugs for tears that some- on the mobility of your senior at least once a year can make home, and that risk only in- their sense of touch. And fi- one could trip on. Remove any loved one, it’s helpful to install a difference. creases with the addition of nally, with age, the structures cords as well as any other clut- grab bars next to the toilet or Communication is impor- injuries or illness that further inside the ear change and ter such as books, clothes and shower. tant, and home safety is a impairs their mobility. One of functions decline, affecting shoes to ensure clear pathways Lastly, make sure medica- topic you should both feel the biggest dangers and points the ability to maintain balance for your senior to get around. tions and other items your comfortable discussing. Put of anxiety for family caregiv- and to sit, stand or walk. You should also make it easy senior needs are easily within yourself in their position - it’s ers is that their loved one will It’s important for caregiv- for your senior to move around reach. It’s also important to not easy to admit you need fall, slowing down their recov- ers to understand the signs of the house. Move low tables and be aware of the side-effects of help. Listen to their needs and ery, or worse, creating a new aging and how it affects a sen- other furniture around to cre- their prescriptions. Certain make sure they feel involved injury. ior’s ability to avoid hazards ate wide spaces for mobility. medications or combinations in the process of making their It’s important family car- within the home. Being able Make sure your light fixtures of meds can make them drow- home safe. egivers know how to spot to put yourself in their shoes have at least 60-watt bulbs and sy and could lead to a fall. Be- Be aware that after an acci- safety hazards within the and understand what’s affect- that nightlights are available ing aware of all the factors that dent, seniors may limit their ac- home and what precautionary ing their mobility will help you in hallways, bathrooms and can affect your senior loved tivities for fear of falling again. measures they can take to pre- identify hazards and prevent their bedroom. one’s mobility will give them While being cautious is a good vent accidents from happen- accidents. Sitting down and getting up the support they need to lead thing, it can be overdone. If ing. Making the extra effort to becomes more difficult as we to a quick and full recovery.