April 5, 2021 by Carefect Admin

Dementia Care: Safe Gardening Tips

As winter gives way to spring, and the earth loses its permafrost, gardeners find their way to their yards to cultivate their land. Gardening can be a practical way to connect with nature and build a relationship with the land. Spending time outdoors can be a great way to improve morale through the improvement of strength and stamina, and the reduction of stress. However, for people with dementia, it can also present unique safety hazards, so you should ensure you are taking the proper precautions before introducing them to the...

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March 29, 2021 by Carefect Admin

Tips on How to Care for an Elderly Loved One Overnight

You hear your father call out from the other room and you get up for the third time tonight to go to his room to help him get up to use the washroom. You blearily look at the clock and wonder if you should try and go back to bed for a few hours of sleep or get up to get an early start to the day before you have to leave for work. You take a deep breath to find your patience and peace while you help your father...

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March 22, 2021 by Carefect Admin

Signs That Your Elderly Loved One May Need Overnight Care

Seniors have lived a long and full life and may take pride in their independence, especially if they are still living in their own homes. This may seem like an accomplishment to them, and it may be difficult for them to admit they are having trouble with solo living. They may not be upfront with their loved ones about the challenges they are facing as they want to maintain their independence, and they do not want to worry you. There are signs to look for when assessing the degree to...

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March 15, 2021 by Carefect Admin

Alzheimer’s Care: When Your Spouse Falls in Love with Someone Else

Alzheimer’s disease affects people and their families in ways that are unique and complex to them. The brain of a person with Alzheimer’s disease deteriorates in ways that create changes to their personality and their relationships which can be very emotional for their loved ones. These personality changes can be difficult to process and can often lead to loved ones experiencing the grieving process long before the person with Alzheimer’s actually passes. They must also redefine and care for a person who may no longer recognize them and behave increasingly...

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March 8, 2021 by Carefect Admin

Dementia Care: Common Behavioral Triggers

Life can be over-stimulating and stressful at times, especially for people with dementia. This can lead to difficulty navigating the world, especially during challenging times. It is valuable to understand the common triggers which lead to behavioral issues to avoid the triggers or prepare for them in advance. Note that these behavioral issues are not stemming from any type of ill will or maliciousness, they stem from their brain trying to make sense of the world around them and their self-dysregulation because of their dementia condition. Common Behaviours when Triggered...

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March 1, 2021 by Carefect Admin

The Benefits of Bright Light Therapy for Seniors

Many seniors suffer from sleep disorders and poor sleep quality. Bright light therapy may be an accessible alternative treatment to regulate healthy sleep patterns. An hour of bright light therapy a day may brighten the mood and improve sleep quality in elderly people. Studies show that bright light therapy, that uses specifically designed light devices, improved symptoms of depression and poor sleep quality in older adults. Circadian Rhythm People who suffer from poor quality of sleep often require treatment to fix their circadian rhythm. A circadian rhythm is an internal...

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February 26, 2021 by Carefect Admin

Dementia Care: Validation Therapy

As humans we crave positive connection, we are designed to care about our community and desire the care of our community. Validation is a key factor in human communication, it boosts positive feedback for desired behavior and acts as a verbal treat for doing socially desirable things. It acts in contrast to rejection, which degrades negative behavior to communicate community acceptable guidelines. Validation makes us feel good both biologically as it stimulates the part of our brain which boosts our happy chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, as well as...

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February 15, 2021 by Carefect Admin

The Effects of Virtual Reality on Alzheimer’s Patients

Imagine having the opportunity to visit incredible sites or peaceful forests. What it might feel like to have those new and exciting or relaxing experiences available regardless of your physical space or ability level. Virtual Reality (VR) has been around for a long time, however, in a contemporary sense VR technology is more affordable and more accessible than ever. The reality of immersing yourself in a peaceful beach may not be far off, and this accessibility opens new opportunities within the context of healthcare. Some hospitals have already integrated virtual...

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February 8, 2021 by Carefect Admin

Tips on How to Organize Your Elderly Parent’s Medical and Health Information

Family caregivers should prioritize organizing and keeping copies of their elderly loved ones' medical information because by having quick and easy access to this pertinent information, you have increased flexibility when making health care decisions. By having your elderly loved ones' medical information organized and easily available you can make quick decisions both in an emergency and in your routine checkups. By having extra copies easily organized you can change doctors efficiently as doctors usually get medical information from other doctors however because of the bureaucracy that can take time....

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February 1, 2021 by Carefect Admin

Tips on How to Prepare for Virtual Doctor’s Appointments

Virtual doctor’s appointments have been in effect in many communities for some time now, especially remote ones with a lack of access to doctors. However, with the increased lockdown measures starting in March of 2020 as a result of COVID-19, virtual doctor appointments have been normalized for all communities and have risen in popularity. public health officials have instructed doctors and health care workers to limit in-person appointments to patients who require immediate or emergency care. This means now more than ever ‘Telemedicine’, medicine performed virtually, has been implemented into...

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