Proactive Seniors

Happy New Year from all of us at Proactive Seniors! Looking forward to seeing you at our next Webinar. Register at https://proactiveseniors.ca/education/

Self care is essential. During the holidays and always.

In case you missed it - our webinar last week talked about recognizing when help is needed and how to have those difficult conversations. For tips and to see a recording, check out our education page: https://proactiveseniors.ca/education/

Such a lovely testimonial from one of our clients, Bob C. Judy is amazing if I do say so myself! "We only had a matter of days to find my mom a new residence and Judy found the perfect place for her. Judy really cares about her clients. Her service is highly recommended. THANKS A MILLION JUDY."

We often say that wealth planning and health planning go hand in hand. If you are working with a financial advisor to plan your retirement financial picture, this is a great time to also work with a seniors health advisor such as Proactive Seniors to align your goals and wishes with your healthcare, housing and wellness needs. Everyone is surprised at the cost of seniors support and housing. Most people don't realize that the government does not provide everything you will ...need or want. It is important to understand what services are available, how to get them in place and their costs. We are here to help you create a comprehensive health and wellness plan the meets your goals, wishes and financial situation. www.proactiveseniors.ca [email protected]

Check out our newest blog: Social Isolation and How it Affects Older Adults https://proactiveseniors.ca/social-isolation-and-how-it-af/

Should you bring your loved one home from their care facility? This is a question we are hearing a lot these days. https://proactiveseniors.ca/should-you-bring-your-senior-l/ The answer requires careful thought, evaluation and planning. We have had clients very successfully bring their loved one's home during this covid crisis. We have had other clients who have gone through a careful evaluation and have decided that the care facility is still the right place to be. We... are happy to help with these difficult decisions. Check out this wonderful post from our team member Marni on what you need to consider.

Explore Parks Together is a new free program from Calgary Recreation and Parks which was designed with input from Age-Friendly Calgary. This is a program for ...older adults and their informal caregivers. The program is designed to provide respite as two different activities will be provided. Both individuals need to register for Explore Parks Together by calling 403-268-3800. Individuals can sign up for one day or as many as they like. ------------------------------------- Led by experienced Parks and Recreation staff, these programs focus on providing opportunities to be active and creative in the outdoors. Programs for Older Adults and caregivers run concurrently and topics vary each week. This program will be run with physical distancing measures in place. Dates and Locations: Elliston Park: July 9, 16, 23, 30 Confederation Park: August 6, 13, 20, 27 Time: 9:30 am 11:00 am Learn more at: calgary.ca/free

Money Bit Mondays. I have been asked to join Tanysia Komers from Komers Financial Literacy Agency on her weekly webinar. The topic today is Long Term Care and Health Planning. Tanysia is a financial advisor and has a unique approach to helping her clients. She does not work on commission from investments. Her model is more like a consultant which works a lot better for many seniors. Please feel free to watch our live interview today at 7pm or you can go to Tanysia's ...website, or here to see the recorded interview. Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73743607634 Meeting ID: 737 4360 7634 Password: KFLA www.proactiveseniors.ca

Online dementia education classes. A great way to gather some tips and strategies if you have a loved one with dementia of any kind.

Difficulty hearing in noise is one of the most common challenges people experience with regards to their hearing. If you have more trouble listening to people when there is background noise present, watch this video to learn about a free listening practice program that can help you.

Food, design, atmosphere and appreciating and supporting the hands on care providers. These ARE the some of the key factors to improving long term care. At Proactive Seniors one of our key goals is to help seniors and families plan and receive the right support at the right time with the intent to limit or avoid the need for acute care hospital admissions and long term care. I think everyone would agree that locations such as these are not what seniors are hoping to need.... In fact given the strains on our health care systems it is or should be the goal of the entire system to help seniors stay healthy and avoid these higher level care facilities as long as possible. If we can help prevent falls, illness and injury by earlier action the need for these higher levels of care would be less or at least later. However, we will still need the long term care level of support for many seniors. It is an essential service and it must be safe, supportive, clean and provide quality of life for the seniors who require it. This article hits on some important considerations. Better support for the hands on care givers the care aides, the kitchen, laundry and cleaning staff. Better quality food, cooked on-site. Art, music, building design that promotes mental health. We at Proactive Seniors are exploring some new, creative approaches to helping to care for seniors. We would love your input. Please contact us if you would like to be part of our special interest group.

Proactive Seniors interviewed by Bill Leesman from Team Leesman Care realty team.

This is a good, brief summary of how communication changes over time in dementia.

30 minute Q&A about seniors planning, housing and home care services. If you have any other questions feel free to reach out, we are always happy to answer any questions you might have about seniors supports, seniors care, seniors housing etc. If you think this would be a helpful virtual session for your group or club just let me know - happy to accommodate.

Join MP and I on Tuesday at 12:15. We are doing a live Q&A to answer your questions regarding: Proactive Seniors Planning - making sure you have the right resources and services available at the right time AND Seniors Housing - making sure you have the information that is relevant to you for choosing a retirement residence or care facility. MP will have answers to your questions regarding home care, foot care and facility companion care. Just sign in via the link. We will be live on Tuesday at 12:15-12:45. Please feel free to share this. Kathy

This is a good blog from Origin Active Lifestyle Communities on preparing for the expenses that come with retirement. Although it comes from a retirement residence, the points are very valid for both seniors who intend to move into a retirement living facility and for seniors who intent to stay at home. The key point is to have a plan. We are Proactive Seniors are the planning experts for seniors. We will review all aspects of your health and wellness ranging from your p...hysical health, how you are functioning and managing in your space all the way through to your financial and legal preparedness. We will ensure you have a comprehensive plan that outlines what support you are likely to need, what services provide that support and how and when to access them. We will create a detailed action plan that will ensure you are as prepared as possible for the coming years. Even with Covid-19 restrictions we are able to meet with seniors and their families electronically to begin our assessment process. Please give us a call, we are happy to help. Proactive Seniors, Plan Ahead, Live Well. 403-809-1971' www.proactiveseniors.ca [email protected]

Staying socially connected while social distancing! Way to go Journey Club on your creative ideas to help keep your senior residents safe but social. We are all feeling isolated these days but it is important to do all we can to not also feel lonely. I loved the balcony sing along. A great way to get some fresh air and see your neighbours from the required distance. If you want to know more about what makes a great retirement residence and which ones would be the best fit for you, please let us know - we are happy to help!

Choosing a Long Term Care Facility is Complicated Long-term care is residential care for seniors who have complex, unpredictable medical needs and require 24-hour onsite nursing care. In Calgary and area there are over 40 long-term care facilities. When a loved one is needing this level of residential care families are often in a state of distress and choosing the right location can be very overwhelming. They may have short notice to make their choices and not have time t...o tour dozens of options. Whether one is interested in the public or private sectors options, families struggle to understand what is most important and relevant to their loved one. At Proactive Seniors, we are happy to help families navigate these challenging waters. We personally tour and collect detailed information on all of the long-term care options in both the public and private sectors. We collect valuable feedback from seniors and their families to share with future clients. By understanding our clients unique needs and preferences we can help them make timely and informed decisions. Giving them confidence in their choice and saving them a lot of time and frustration. If you or someone you know is struggling with choosing long-term care for their loved ones, call Proactive Seniors. 403-809-1971

How to reduce your risk of a fall

Progress in Ontario towards ensuring seniors can continue to live with their spouse when one requires long term care.

Reminder for Sundays Art Sale with proceeds to the Ida Varga Sunshine Fund for low income seniors. Please swing by Ohana Care in a Royal Oak Sunday from noon-4. Snacks, tea and coffee and a large collection of art from local artist, Ida Varga.

Here are the event details for Sunday's art show

Please join us on Sunday November 24th. Our friend and Proactive Seniors client Ida Varga passed away a few weeks ago following a short battle with cancer. Ida was the sunshine in our day. We wanted to honour Ida through a sponsorship fund which would help other lower income seniors be able to access Proactive Seniors support. In doing so, her lovely family has offered to have an art sale of Ida's work, the proceeds of which will also go into the Ida Varga Sunshine Fund. Pop in for a coffee or tea, a few nibbles and a chance to see all the wonderful artwork Ida created over the years. You may find just the piece you are looking for and will be helping a wonderful cause at the same time.

What a lovely story about this local Calgary gentleman who resides at Trinity Lodge. He is fundraising for Alzheimers research by organizing a walkers walk. Good job Mr. Freckleton!

Kathy and Tracey at the Vytality Home Care Seniors Fair and Presentations at Canyon Meadows Golf Course. A fun day connecting with families, other companies who work with the seniors population and great presentations.

Join us Sunday for a very informative day. Many presentations and booths.

Please mark your calendar to join all of these amazing seniors support services at the Canyon Meadows Golf Club on Sunday September 22nd from 10am-3pm. We will be there to answer any questions you have about seniors services available as well as doing some short presentations.

Fascinating and touching that this beautiful senior with Alzheimers disease remembers not only the words but the guitar chords to this cherished son and sings it with her son. A moving reminder that even if a loved one has memory loss, there are many ways in which we can still connect with them to show our love. September is Alzheimers Disease Awareness Month by the way.

A beautiful song about cherished time with loved ones. A great reminder to find the time.

Exercise.....your brain.

A great blog from Home Care Assistance on building resilience for dementia family caregivers.

Falls are not inevitable they are preventable! With education, exercise, home safety evaluations and modifications and being proactive about health many falls and subsequent hospital admissions can be prevented. Want to know more? Reach out to us via our website. www.proactiveseniors.ca

Proactive Seniors Housing Support client Janine explains her family's experience as we helped find the perfect retirement residence for her in-laws. There are lots of emotions that come with making such a big life transition but knowing that your loved ones are in a new home that fits their health care needs, their personality and helps the family to spend more quality time together is a great outcome. Call us (403-809-1971) if you need help finding the right retirement residence or care facility. We make sure seniors get into the right place, the first time.

Proactive clients Al and Ida describe their experience working with Proactive Seniors Planning. Our comprehensive assessment and planning service helps ensure that seniors who want to stay in their homes as they age, are able to do so longer and safer by accessing the services and suports that they need, in a timely manner. We help to provide peace of mind and help busy families know that their loved ones are taking the right steps towards balancing independence and support.

This is a lovely little video that shows how making the big life change of moving to a retirement home is going to be ok. It all comes down to finding the right fit and that is what we love to do. https://youtu.be/rmiQGKCmgrw

Please check out our very first client video. Janine, so eloquently describing her families experience with Proactive Seniors. We had the honour to help find the perfect retirement residence for Janine's in-laws. Please feel free to like and to share with your friends, family or colleagues.

To adapt to the country's growing aging population, Dr. Michael Rachlis believes Canada needs to change its approach to health care. The public health physician says the system is largely based on a model where someone gets sick or hurt and then goes to the hospital. "We need a system that is much more based on public health and preventing people from getting sick," Rachlis told CBC News. "If you treat every illness with an older person in a hospital you're never going to aff...ord to keep people healthy in the community." We agree! We say this all the time when we do presentations and to our clients. Our acute focused health system does not work for seniors. They need preventative care to keep them out of the hospital in the first place. We build comprehensive plans that help seniors get the care and support they need, in the home and much earlier than they otherwise might. With the intention of being proactive and preventative. Our motto is Plan Ahead / Live Well and it works.

There is a lot to be said for being optimistic, using your time in a meaningful manner, seeking happiness and embracing aging.

Wanting to share some kudos for our lovely consultant Judy Deleo. I was following up with our Canmore clients and their unsolicited feedback on working with Judy brought tears to my eyes. They were so appreciative of all the time she has given them, helping them to talk through their options and ask as many questions as they needed. They are having a very challenging time making the very big decision to move into the city and they said she has been so patient and supportive. They spoke of how amazingly kind she is and that they have LOVED working with her! Way to go Judy! So proud of you.

Its going to be great!