Comfort Keepers Newmarket
380 Penn Ave L3Y 2S9 Newmarket, ON, Canada

Think a sedentary lifestyle is good for you? Don’t believe walking around your neighborhood is beneficial? How about a pleasant stroll along a wooded trail? OK let’s stop beating about the bush (sorry) and agree that a walk in the woods would be good for the soul. But, just how good is it? Although it is not new news, there is a growing body of empirical evidence that shows that a walk is good but a walk in the woods is better. Benefits could include: - Feeling calmer an...d more clear-headed - Reduced blood pressure - Improved cognition - Reduced amounts of the stress hormones noradrenaline and cortisol - Increased levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and of adiponectin. If you are wondering, DHEA-S may contribute to heart health and low levels of adiponectin may be associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. - Positive feelings increased - Negative feelings decreased - Parasympathetic nervous-system activity heightened (this is good) - Sympathetic nervous-system activity suppressed (again, associated with stress) - Pulse rate decreased. In 1984, Richard S. Ulrich found that patients recovering from surgery in rooms with a window facing a natural setting had shorter hospital stays and took less pain medicine than did patients whose window faced a brick wall. How much more convincing do you need? References: A Walk in the Woods American Scientist July-August 2011 Volume 99, Number 4, Page: 301

I am taking a bit of a leap of faith in assuming that most of my readers are not Justin Bieber fans but are familiar with the 1968 movie, Planet of the Apes (yes, it is that old) or some of the more recent sequels. Technology is advancing at a breakneck speed and there is no indication that it will be slowing down. What was science fiction not too long ago is now the norm. I used to watch Star Trek and thought that the communicator that was pinned to every person’s chest wa...s really cool because it also knew exactly where everyone was. Today, the ubiquitous smart phone can do all that and more! Once upon a time I was amazed that Bones, the doctor on the star ship Enterprise, could give an injection without using a needle. Now, fiction has turned to fact. I recently attended the 3rd Annual Geriatric Clinic Day at the Southlake Regional Health Centre where I heard Dr. Mihailidis talk about research being done at the University of Toronto. Among other things, he talked about assistive technologies that require zero effort to use. How about having your heart rate, respiration rate and systolic blood pressure checked while standing, doing dishes at the kitchen sink? Here is a link to the U of T where they are doing research on a floor tile that can do just that. http://www.ot.utoronto.ca/iat/projects/brick_computing.html Taking your own ECG with your iPhone and instantly sending it to your cardiologist for follow up is not science fiction. How about non-invasive real time glucose measurement for diabetics? This is where I make the connection to the movie. Follow this link to an NBC interview with Dr. Topol who claims to prescribe more ‘Apps’ than medications. NBCNews.com Video Player . It puts a whole new perspective on smart phone. References: NBC News, University of Toronto

Not ‘Oz’ Original blog posted by Aris Pakalns | March 26, 2013 | on Seniorcarepost.ca ... For those of you that don’t know, The Wizard of Oz contrasts the black and white reality of farm life in Kansas with the colorful, magical, wonderful world of Oz. Of course we all realize that Oz is not real, could not happen and is just a dream. Now back to reality and health care in Ontario as it relates to the very old, frail and especially people suffering from memory loss and dementia. What if it was illegal to incarcerate people with dementia on a locked ward? physical and chemical restraints were not used? everyone had the right to choose how they want to live? people with dementia were asked what they wanted to do today? residents could have some wine with lunch and a beer for dinner? everybody contributed with their abilities and helped each other? residents helped by cooking and washing dishes together? everybody went on long daily walks or bike rides? residents could go out to a movie? residents could go on a group vacation? staff ate meals with residents? the government, even with economic problems, supported this philosophy? This is not Oz this is reality in Denmark. Their posterchild is a long term care home called Lotte. Here is their link http://okhjemmetlotte.dk/english You also might want to listen to Karin Wells’s documentary on CBC http://www.cbc.ca//2/11/18/redefining-dementia-in-denmark/ Reference: CBC Radio: Redefining Dementia in Denmark (Hr. 1) November 18, 2012

Original blog posted on Seniorcarepost.ca In 1978, Andrew Gold started his hit song with the words Thank you for being a friend which is both prophetic and inspirational. You can listen to it here but be warned the tune will stay with you for the rest of the day. Click here for Andrew Gold’s original Video Thank You for Being a Friend... This blog is for caregivers, be it a spouse, daughter, friend or paid employee. For those of you that are not currently caregivers, take note because in some way, you will be affected as well. If you are a family member providing care for a loved one you are facing long, difficult hours and stress, anxiety, burnout and compassion fatigue are very real possibilities. As a spouse, friend or neighbour, it could be said that you are on a journey, seeming to have traveled down that road and back again, as the situation evolves. In the case of Alzheimer’s patients this might mean that you become unloved, but you must remain a pal and a confidant. Working in a facility has its own stressors and to top it off, regardless of the type of caregiver you are, you typically work in isolation. OK now what? Caregivers can reach out to other caregivers by joining and utilizing support groups. Caregivers need to enlist help from other family members. Caregivers need to take time off and recharge, even if it means getting help from gasp private pay companies. Caregivers can get help from other community members such as churches. As a paid caregiver, reach out to co-workers and office staff. In other words, don’t try to do everything alone. I’m not ashamed to say that nothing in life is more important than family and friends. I hope it always will stay this way. In the end, what I am trying to say is that caregivers are underappreciated so in the words of Mr. Gold; My hat is off, won’t you stand up and take a bow. References: None Inspiration: Andrew Gold