September 20, 2012 by Carefect Admin

Elder Abuse (Part 3 of 3) – Reporting and Preventing

According to research done by Statistics Canada, elder abuse has risen by 14 precent since 2004. For every case that is reported, numerous other cases are not. Abuse and neglect can have lifelong consequences on the victim and often result in an early death. Since most elder abuse is perpetrated by family or friend caregivers, it is essential that it will be prevented before it begins and reporting it if it is happening. Three things you can do to help prevent elder abuse: You can listen to seniors and those...

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September 17, 2012 by Carefect Admin

Elder Abuse (Part 2 of 3) – Signs, Risks and Consequences

Elder abuse is a serious subject that no one likes to talk about, but it happens every day. Most of the time, the abuse is committed by a friend, acquaintance, or a family member. It can happen as a result of frustration either at the senior or from something else going on in the abuser’s life. It causes lasting effects for the victims that are difficult to recover from. Signs of abuse Three main signs of abuse include sudden changes in the senior’s appearance, sudden increase of physical injuries, or...

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September 13, 2012 by Carefect Admin

Elder Abuse (Part 1 of 3) – What and Who

Elder abuse is one of those things we don’t like to think about happening to people we know. However, it is a situation that occurs far more often than we would like to admit. It’s important as a caregiver for your senior family member that you understand what it is and what happens as a result. Statistics Involving Elder Abuse According to information conducted by Statistics Canada, violence against seniors increased by 20 percent in between 1998 and 2005. This is just the number of cases that were actually reported...

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July 30, 2012 by Carefect Admin

Tips on Vacationing with Elderly Parents

Often an adult child would like to take their senior parents on a vacation to make up for all their parents’ missed out on in their younger years. They were busy raising a family and earning a living so they didn’t have time or money for vacations and other luxuries. Planning a vacation with your elderly parents is an admirable idea, but you must take several things into consideration, things that you don’t have to necessarily think about for your own trip. Plan Ahead You will need to figure out...

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July 19, 2012 by Carefect Admin

How to Deal with the Loss of Your Senior Loved One

When you’ve been taking care of a senior parent or family member and they are suddenly gone, it can leave a void in your life. You have spent so much time focusing on them and now you are left with only the grief. People who have never experienced this do not realize how difficult it can be to get on with your life. Dealing with Grief If you were the primary caregiver for your loved one, the grief can be different than for other people. You will experience a wide...

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July 16, 2012 by Carefect Admin

Losing a Loved One: Dealing with Grief

Death is a natural part of living that everyone faces at some point in their lives. As we get older, it comes more often. For seniors, they may face it on a regular basis as they lose friends their age and family members. The toughest loss can be the death of a spouse. Going Through the Stages When researching this subject, you will find different models on the different stages of grief. These stages are often broken down into five to seven stages and some of them may overlap. Here...

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July 12, 2012 by Carefect Admin

Communicating with Loved Ones When They Can No Longer Talk

Several diseases can cause your loved one to lose the ability to communicate through speech. This is a tragic and difficult event for both the senior and their family members. However, you can learn new ways to communicate and show your love. Causes of Speech Loss A stroke that causes permanent damage to one side of the body can make speech difficult. When the person tries to speak, it may not be understandable; therefore, they quit trying to talk. This is the opposite reaction than what is recommended by doctors...

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July 5, 2012 by Carefect Admin

How to Deal with Hoarding in Seniors

Many people like to collect things, from trinkets to photos and other mementos. However, when collecting becomes hoarding it can be dangerous and hazardous to a senior’s health. While hoarders are a tiny portion of the population, many of those who hoard are over the age of 55. What is Hoarding? Hoarding is a compulsive behavior that cannot be controlled; it may result from a mental or emotional disease that is often unknown. It can also stem from anxiety or loneliness. Seniors who are hoarders are often embarrassed by the...

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July 2, 2012 by Carefect Admin

Causes of memory loss that aren’t Alzheimer’s

When your senior family member begins to get forgetful, your first thought may be of Alzheimer’s. While this does affect many older people, it is not the only cause of memory loss. Before you assume that it is the cause, rule out other problems. Medications and Treatments Certain medications can cause memory loss; you may notice it in the list of side effects. Anti-anxiety medicines often cause issues with memory. Treatments for cancer like radiation or chemotherapy can also affect memory. Some treatments cause temporary loss for a few hours...

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June 21, 2012 by Carefect Admin

The Benefits of Swimming for Seniors

Exercise is beneficial to people as they age to keep them healthy and strong. The problem for many seniors and their caregivers is finding the right exercise program that is helpful without aggravating existing health problems. Swimming is one exercise that is often recommended for seniors and has many benefits. Swimming is Easy on the Joints High impact exercises such as running and jumping can be hard on the bones and joints and cause fractures and injuries. Because swimming does not put stress on those areas, it is a great...

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