iCaria Health
250 Consumers Rd M2J 4V6 Toronto, ON, Canada

HOW TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S TIME TO HELP AN ELDERLY LOVED ONE Recognizing and accepting the need for help is not easy as a person gets old. Other family members are often responsible for recognizing the signs of impending helplessness in elderly loved ones, the need to support them in their daily activities. Below we have prepared a checklist that helps you what to look out for when determining if an elderly person needs help: ... - Physical and mental changes are increasingly noticeable and frequent e.g. this might include an elderly person having difficulty understanding time, or difficulty with walking- Problems with personal hygiene such as deterioration of appearance, refusal to care for oneself, unkept hair, uncut nails, uncleaned teeth, or unwashed or soiled clothing. - Neglect of household chores (inability to independently meet daily needs, spoiled and not thrown away food in the refrigerator, overflowing mailbox, late payment of bills, signs of risky driving - dents and scratches of unknown origin on the car). All of the listed items are "red flags" indicating that the person needs daily help with household chores from you or specialists. With the ICaria Health app you can monitor your elderly loves ones and support them even when you’re not physically around. #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #together #iCariaHealth #community #connection #love #support

Today, there probably isn’t a single smartphone owner who doesn’t use mobile applications. And there’s applications for every need including digital health apps such as iCaria Health that allows one to get daily updates on their elderly loved ones’ health. With this App you can always be there for your elderly loved ones and monitor and care for them regardless of where you are. iCaria Health makes it possible for you to stay connected with your elderly loved ones always. #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #together #iCariaHealth #community #connection #love #support

FINDING THE BEST CARE FOR OUR SENIORS From organizing daily routines to managing personal needs caring for the elderly can be difficult and stressful at times. For seniors at home, finding the right mobile care giver to provide at-home care on a regular basis or scheduling the online specialist consultation can be a daunting task. Google search and recommendation from friends are certainly helpful; however, finding the right provider that matches your special needs, sc...heduling the call or visit, and paying for these services is still daunting. You can solve this problem with iCaria Health’s search engine and app. You can search by specialty and quality of service provided in your area of choice. We will show you all the doctors, health agencies, and senior care facilities near you. You will also be able to view profiles, ratings and reviews to determine which provider best suits your needs. #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #together #iCariaHealth #community #connection #love #support #doctors #specialists

In addition to special physiological and medical care for elderly relatives, it is very important to provide them moral support. Family memories, memorabilia, and especially old photographs are an important part of it. Tom Hussey Photography (an advertising and portrait photographer) did something very unusual with such old photographs. Не created series of highly conceptual photographs titled Reflections, showing elderly people looking pensively at their younger self-refl...ection in a mirror. Tom was inspired by a World War II veteran who said, I can’t believe I am going to be 80, I feel like I just came back from the war. I look into the mirror and I see this old guy. Human life is both beautiful and fragile, hence dealing with this theme by tying together the prime years to the aged present life in a single photograph which is both melancholic and contemplative. The images were used by healthcare company Novartis in a marketing campaign for its Exelon Patch, which is used for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The campaign won a Gold Addy Award from the American Advertising Federation and was featured in the Communication Arts Photography Annual (2010 AWARD). Inspire the series by the link (https://digitalsynopsis.com//reflections-of-the-past-tom-/) and create something unusual for your elderly loved ones for your common memories #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #together #iCariaHealth #community #connection #love #support

The best way to finish of Labor Day week is to care for others. Become a caregiver for your senior parents, as no one will love them more than you do #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #together #iCariaHealth #community #connection #love #support

HOMECARE: HOW TO REACT WHEN YOUR SENIOR RELATIVE REFUSES TO EAT OR DRINK When you shoulder the care of your elderly relative at home, there are many things to consider such as the danger of overmedication or risk of falling. But have you thought about how to react when your mom or dad refuses to eat or drink? There are several reasons why seniors may refuse to eat. One of the common reasons is that their sense of smell and taste dulls as they get older. Moreover, the acuity... of smell is closely related to the ability to evaluate taste. The weakening of the sense of smell also reduces the aging person's interest in food. In addition, their lack of appetite can be a side effect of medications or a sign of oral health problems. There are many ways to help your loved one to eat enough food: Establish a routine by offering breakfast, lunch, and snacks at the same time daily. They will mentally get used to eating at certain hours, even if the feeling of hunger is not strong enough. Prepare smaller meal portions. You will find that they are more willing to eat than if there was a large plate in front of them. Make sure that their favorite dishes are served with healthy options such as soups, mashed potatoes or fruit shakes. Combining their favorite meal with a supplement makes it easier for them to accept the additional dish. If your loved one is starting to eat less than usual, first ask your doctor to ensure that the loss of appetite is not due to a serious medical condition. Use the above tips to help your seniors get adequate nutrition and stay healthy and happy. #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #together #iCariaHealth #community #connection #love #support #homecare

THE ROLE OF GRANDCHILDREN IN SENIOR CARE Grandchildren are a continuation of life for grandparents and they can be critical members of an elderly person’s senior care team. We have outlined some recommendations that will help you to establish contact between grandchildren and grandparents. - Care. Give grandchildren important tasks such as making coffee or tea, pouring juice or water and serving food for their grandparents. - Puzzles and board games. Solving crossword puz...zles or playing board games is an excellent way for grandkids to interact with their grandparents. Crosswords and puzzles, from the simplest to the most puzzling games, are widely available, and children of almost any age can participate in solving them with help from their grandparents. - Reading aloud. Grandparents reading aloud could encourage grandkids to visualize the storylines and use their imaginations. - Family history. Finding and talking about old photos helps connect the different generations but also allows grandkids to learn more about their grandparents, and promotes healthy dialogue. - Embrace. This could become the main aspect of the relationship between the generations. It is important that each visit begins and ends with a hug. For younger kids, it might be easier with the grandparent initiating the contact. When the need for care is making you tired and stressful, give yourself regular rest with your children. And enjoy watching your grandchildren spend time with their grandparents. #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #together #iCariaHealth #community #connection #love #support #grandchildren

HOW TO PREVENT EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL BURNOUT OF CAREGIVERS The expectations of the caregivers are often not true. Many caregivers are confident that their care will have a positive impact on the health and vitality of their patients. But if they are caring for someone with a progressive medical condition, such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's, those expectations may not be met. Caring for another person is an activity that induces an emotional swing. An overwhelmed caregi...ver can easily become upset or angry over nothing. They may refuse food or overeat, and even after a full night's sleep, the feeling of exhaustion remains. Thinking becomes unclear, interest in things that used to please them, disappears. So how to deal with the difficulties of caring for your elderly loved ones and not burn out? Find a person to whom you can discuss and share your feelings with. This could be a friend or a professional psychologist. Airing out your feelings doesn't mean you are incapable of being a caregiver. It's important to remember that it's completely normal to have negative feelings such as anger or frustration. This doesn’t mean that you are a bad person or a bad guardian. Do not forget about yourself and remember to take care of your own health. Exercise at every opportunity you have, eat healthy food and get enough sleep. These are the main rules for staying healthy. Also, you can ask for help. Help is available from many sources. Ask for it - ask family members to share your workload, or rely on friends or neighbors for a simple task. You won't be able to do everything yourself, so set realistic goals and consider your limitations. Use relaxation techniques to deal with stress. Stress is often a source of physical problems (blurred vision, stomach pain, high blood pressure) and behavioral changes (irritability, loss of concentration, loss of appetite). Be aware of these symptoms and talk to your doctor if necessary. Try to find a relaxation method that works for you. This could be meditation, a relaxing bath, massage, or a walk in the woods. Get trained to communicate more effectively with elderly loved ones and other relatives. Developed communication and behavioral management skills are especially helpful if you are caring for someone with dementia. This education and awareness will make your work easier. You can learn "correct" communication both in special virtual courses and by gathering the necessary information on the Internet. #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #together #iCariaHealth #community #connection #love #support

SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS WORKING WITH THE ELDERLY IN LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES Nursing homes have a "healing" atmosphere. There is no need to worry about everyday worries: utility bills, grocery shopping or doctor visits. At nursing homes you do not have to deal with everyday rudeness and problems that one way or another appear in the elderly. Here stress is completely excluded, the fast pace of life is not felt at all, the guests live in a comfortable measured mode. The ...main advantage of such places is communication. There is always someone to talk to and share memories with, to discuss family and your life. Psychological help consists in the absence of prohibitions. Employees of such institutions can talk about any topic that interests the guest. In addition, the employees of the institution make up an entertainment program for the wards: they organize holidays, birthdays, master classes, help to choose a hobby. Everything relieves anxiety, awakens enthusiasm and fills life with real meaning. If you understand that you cannot provide such a psychological atmosphere and social assistance to your elderly loved ones at home, then it's time to seek professional help in long-term care services You can search for skilled nursing or long-term care facilities by selecting the facilities drop down beside the search box on the icariaheath.com main page and then typing either skilled nursing or retirement in the search box. #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #together #iCariaHealth #community #connection #love #support #longtermcare

COVID-19 has not retreated and continues to take lives. According to the CDC and other studies, people aged 65 and over are the most vulnerable. They’re not only likely to get hospitalized more often but also die. To stymie the spread please remember to avoid crowded places, keep your distance and self-isolate if possible. We not only owe it to ourselves to be more responsible but also vulnerable older adults. We have already written about the peculiarities of caring for ol...der relatives during a pandemic. Try to comply with these minimum requirements: - wearing a mask - social distancing - hand hygiene - cleaning and disinfection If your senior relatives live in a nursing home or long-term care facility you can monitor their condition in real time and take care of them regardless of where you are. Source: (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/COVID19/index.htm) #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #covid #pandemic #together #iCariaHealth #community #connection #covid19

STAY ON TOP OF YOUR MOTHER’S CARE NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE Almost all nursing, senior care, and rehabilitation facilities use an electronic medical record system (EMR) to manage their residents. iCaria has a direct data connection to PointClickCare, the premier EMR used in these facilities covering well over 20,000 such facilities which represents 60% of North America. More such facilities are integrating with our platform on a daily basis to provide exceptional services and... communications with their resident families. Using this direct data integration, iCaria is able to capture the latest and most accurate updates to all medical data records including vitals, diagnoses, medications, problems, allergies, and progress notes. It is time to join this growing community! Contact us and enquire if your facility is already integrated with iCaria. #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #together #iCariaHealth #community #connection #love #support #longtermcare

We previously shared with you a guide for long-term care services for senior people but how does one evaluate if home care is sufficient? To make it easier to answer this question you may want to evaluate your answers to these three questions first: Аre you able to provide practical (and sometimes first aid) at home for your senior relatives? What started out as a manageable job could have slowly turned into something that one person can’t handle alone. The changes can cree...p up on you, so now is the time to take a fresh, honest look at your situation. For example, their aggressive behavior might not be responding to non-drug techniques or medications, putting everyone’s safety at risk. In some cases, if your older adult needs significant help moving around, assisting them on your own could be dangerous, especially if you’re smaller in size. They could fall or you could get seriously injured. Does your senior need specialized care? If your older adult’s medical condition now requires specialized medical care or 24/7 supervision, you probably won’t be able to provide that care. You’re not a medical professional and it’s simply impossible for one person to be on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For example, if your older adult’s dementia causes them to wander constantly (even at night), consider a memory care community where trained staff and a specially-designed environment can keep them safe at all hours. Or, if your older adult is bedridden and needs careful repositioning every hour to prevent bed sores, 24/7 care at an assisted living community is a good option. Do you feel resentful, emotionally drained, or chronically tired? Caregiver stress and burnout is a very real thing. It negatively affects your quality of life today and your overall health in the long-term. This is sign that it’s time to make a change. If you’re in such a negative place, it’s not possible to care for your older adult in the calm and positive manner they need. Using long-term care services in addition to a safer environment and higher level of care, your elderly loved ones will have the chance to be more social and interact with other people. You’ll also be able to go back to being their companion and advocate rather than being focused on their physical care. #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #together #iCariaHealth #community #connection #love #support #longtermcare

Children tend to neglect their elderly parents and relatives if they consider them old, boring and uninteresting. These experiences are usually painful for elderly people. Sometimes their very children and grandchildren, whom they loved and took care of all their lives, quarrel with them. Remember that your elderly mom, dad, grandmother, grandfather have a hard time. They are going through big and small changes, perhaps they are sick or have other physical difficulties. Just ...a few words of encouragement and a little communication on your part will greatly encourage them and boost morale. This attention makes them happy and makes them feel needed and valued. As a result, your loved ones will lead a more active life and feel better. All these small joys will make loved ones forget about problems and worries and will celebrate their existence. And this is what each of us can do for our parents and elders. Caring for elderly relatives is not backbreaking work. Love them, take care of them, because you have received this love and care from them for many years - now it is your turn to be by their side and give them positive feelings. This work will make you happier - after all, parting with your loved ones is inevitable. #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #together #family #iCariaHealth #community #connection #positive #love #support

REHABILITATION PROCESS FOR SENIOR RESIDENTS Often, elderly people need to restore their physical strength and body functions after undergoing operation, complex injuries (e.g. hip fracture), strokes and any surgical intervention. Rehabilitation for elderly people in most other cases should be started as soon as their operation is over. Delay or the wrong recovery plans could lead to physical and psychological deterioration. Elderly people who are unable to take care of th...emselves, need recovery and adaptation. A harmonious balance of the selected types of rehabilitation is extremely important. It is a systematic approach to restoring both physical and psychological health, social adaptation and the development of intellectual abilities that guarantees the optimal result! It is almost impossible to organize a full-fledged rehabilitation process at home due to the need to have unique knowledge of the process. A nursing home employs specialists that focus on restoring the health, and psychological balances of their clients. By helping to eliminate psychological discomfort, they preserve the status of the personality of their clients and create opportunities for them to have an active life. During rehabilitation, it is important to keep in touch with your elderly loved ones and be aware of all the processes, events from their social life and their health. It’s also important to know about any planned procedures and appointments from professional specialists. We are familiar with all the difficulties that you may encounter if you want to better manage these processes. With iCaria you can always get up to the minute updates on the condition and comfort of your loved ones and easily find doctors, facilities and programs that best meet their needs. #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #covid #pandemic #together #iCariaHealth #community #connection #rehabilitation #support

DEALING WITH DEMENTIA: WHEN THINKING AND BEHAVIOR OF THE ELDERLY DECLINE Dementia is one of the main factors leading to limited opportunities for older people, and it is considered one of the most serious diseases for the patient, their family, and for society. According to general statistics, about 10% of people aged 65 and over suffer from dementia. Dementia is not a disease - it is a syndrome that manifests itself as a result of a severe disorder of the human nervous sy...stem (impaired memory and other mental abilities). Similar disorders occur due to organic lesions of the brain. What signs might indicate that your elderly relative is developing dementia? - A person with dementia does not just forget the keys to the apartment, they forget the way home. - Does not remember the names and faces of their loved ones. - At later stages, they do not recognize their children, and considers complete strangers to be relatives. - Does not remember current events, forgets what happened yesterday, but remembers the old past well in the early stages of the disease. - Becomes more and more dependent on their caregivers, unable to take care of themselves on their own. It is important to remember that although there was a change in personality, the personality itself remained. Now your loved one is in a state where time has stopped and life continues; they are scared - and need support. In addition to professional medical support and medication, you can also help your elderly loved one by: * Keeping in touch * Helping them integrate into society * Continuing to love them. * Maintaining eye contact. * Paying attention to tactile sensations. * Monitoring your tone and speech. * Activating their long-term memory. * Not allowing them to be overloaded and idle. * Taking their needs seriously, talk about them. * Collaborating with doctors and other family members. * Taking into account the biography of the patient (that is, understand how their past affects their current state and the development of the disease). * Organizing a space and a favorable atmosphere for them (for example, equip the room with your favorite furniture, arrange old photographs, turn on the music of youth). A person with dementia is in a different world; it is important to understand exactly what’s happening and to accept it. If you structure everything correctly and give them love, they’ll return the same amount of love to you but keep in mind that the person you knew is now in another world. #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #iCariaHealth #community #connection #mentalhealth #dementia See more

MENTAL HEALTH FOR SENIORS: why it is so important and how to maintain it According to the World Health Organization, more than 20% of adults aged 60 years and older suffer from mental or neurological disorders, and 6.6% of all registered disabilities. These health disorders among the elderly account for 17.4% of the years of life lived with disabilities (ABI). The most common neuropsychiatric disorders in this age group are dementia and depression, affecting about 5% and 7% ...of the world's older population, respectively. Dementia is a syndrome, usually of a chronic or progressive nature, in which there is a degradation of memory, thinking, behavior and the ability to perform daily functions. Depression can cause great distress and lead to limited functioning in everyday life. Symptoms of depression in older people are often overlooked and treated as they overlap with other problems in older people. Here are some tips for supporting the mental health of your beloved elderly relatives: - They should spend their free time doing interesting activities such as reading, creative thinking, solving crosswords or playing board games. - They should increase their daily physical activity by walking or doing other exercises and eating right. - They should interact with family and friends in order to preserve their mental health. And going to various exhibitions and concerts will help keep them cheerful. - They should see health care professionals when required and referred, and reject bad habits. Mental health affects physical health and vice versa. For example, older people with conditions such as heart disease have higher rates of depression compared to those in good health. Conversely, not treating depression in an older person with heart disease can negatively impact the outcome of a physical illness. And remember, caregivers (family or personal of facility/retirement homes) are the main influences on the mental health of your beloved seniors! #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #together #family #iCariaHealth #community #connection #mentalhealth #support

TRACK HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF YOUR ELDERLY LOVED ONES THROUGH iRis Timely detection of diseases and correction of the condition for elderly people can prevent further deterioration and improve the quality of life. Physical features middle and old people age: ... - The development of diseases - The deterioration of the immune system - Decreased metabolic rate - Change system functions digestion Violations that are often found in the elderly are often overlooked, or the diagnosis is untimely. This is why it is so important to monitor important health indicators of your beloved elderly family members. IiCaria Health's platform makes it possible through IRIS (our intelligent assistant) to track health and wellness, improve adherence to discharge instructions, treatment plans, and medications as well as enables you to enroll in health and wellness programs. #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #together #family #iCariaHealth #community #connection

GUIDE FOR LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES FOR SENIOR PEOPLE: Residential Facilities, Assisted Living, and Nursing Homes At some point, support from family, friends, and local programs may not be enough for your elderly loved ones. Senior people who require help full-time might move to a residential facility that provides many or all of the long-term care services they need. Facility-based long-term care services include: board and care homes, assisted living facilities, nursing hom...Continue reading

HEALTHY SOUND SLEEP = HEALTHY NERVOUS SYSTEM FOR THE ELDERLY Caring for the elderly is not an easy task, as it might seem at first thought. This requires a lot of time and a lot of patience to maintain normal psychological and physical condition of an elderly person, it is important to consider a lot of factors, including social and psychological aspects. A long, sound sleep ensures the normalization of the functioning of the nervous system. Depletion of the nervous system c...an cause insomnia, which can weaken the body and worsen one’s emotional state. In old age, insomnia is very common. Elderly people can take a nap during the day and this negatively affects their night's sleep. To create the best sleeping conditions for an elderly person, the following conditions must be met: - create silence in the room; - the bed should be clean and comfortable; - maintain a comfortable temperature in the room; - regularly ventilate the room; - have a light, warm blanket; - the last time the patient should eat should be four hours before bedtime; - exclude sweets, strong tea and coffee from the diet; - in the evenings go for a walk in order to take in fresh air or at least go to the balcony; - it is important to organize leisure activities in such a way in order to exclude sleep during the day. It is important that the elderly person sleeps well. An elderly person’s body gets exhausted through the day and requires at least 7 hours of sleep, and all the measures proposed above will help your elderly loved ones normalize the functioning of their nervous systems. #seniorcare #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #covid #pandemic #together #family #iCariaHealth #community #connection

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! As we celebrate our nation’s independence, let’s remember our past leaders who lost their lives in the battle for the freedom we are enjoying today. Freedom does not come so easily. We are all indebted to our national heroes who made this country what it is today. As patriotic citizens, let’s put extra effort into performing our own civic responsibilities. Our diversity should not be seen as a weakness but as our greatest strength. It is only by wor...king together that we can build a resilient and thriving nation. Have a wonderful Independence Day! #usa #independenceday #congratulations #seniorcare #family #elderly #homecare #caregiver #medical #healthcare #solutions #together #family #iCariaHealth #community #connection