Victoria Eldercare
65 Donly St. N. N3Y 0C2 Simcoe, ON, Canada

The Cost of Social Isolation Betty is 97. Lives in an Assisted Living Facility. Must receive and take all her meals alone in her room.... Has not participated in any group social activities for approaching 3 months now. Has had no physical contact with family, friends, or co-residents for almost 3 months. Betty admits to profound loneliness. We know that social engagement and connection form a critical part of our life experience. This is especially true as move through later-life transitions. What can we do to help the many Betty's that are in this situation today? Tips for Dealing with Social Isolation: Keep regular and frequent contact with those who are isolated. An unexpected card in the mail is always a special treat. To help create predictability, commit to a regular schedule of calls so your friends and loved ones have something to look forward to. If you commit to a call KEEP IT! Whenever possible, keep regular celebrations such as birthdays shared with phone, Zoom, Skype, Facetime, WhatsApp type of connections. Call with some jokes ready, and some special memories to revisit together. Book a sing-a-long with your favourite songs and/or join a virtual choir. Encourage daily physical activity even if it is simply moving arms and legs in a wheelchair. Acknowledge their uncertainty or fear or sadness. Express your appreciation and love for having their presence in your life. Let them know they still make a difference! Make a commitment to do it all over again.

Caregiver Stress Syndrome is becoming more and more common during these very difficult times. Regular routines are disrupted combined with the fear of the unknown Characterized by physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion, Caregiver Stress Syndrome often results from a person neglecting their own physical, emotional and spiritual needs while focusing primarily on the needs of their care recipients. If you or someone you love is dealing with this severe form of Caregiver Stress the professionals at Victoria Eldercare can help. We can provide direction and assistance to find a path forward.

Basic Tips for Holding a Family Meeting What: Set an agenda ahead of time. Contact family members to ask for their input regarding the most important issues. Make sure everyone knows ahead of time what will be discussed. Who: Family members involved and impacted by the discussion need to be invited to the family meeting. If spouses are involved in the care, and/or are usually involved in family discussions, you will want to invite them to participate in these conversations. T...he care receiver, if mentally competent, should be included. Where: Choose a convenient, comfortable, and neutral location. If some family members cannot attend because of travel limitations, explore ways to include them via Skype, Zoom, or other conference call services. When: It is always best to have a plan established before a family is in crisis. If a plan was not prepared ahead of time, try to find a quiet place to determine who will do what tasks and take on what specific responsibilities during the critical phase, and who will do what during the non-crisis potentially long-term care phase. Get the Facts: In preparation for the family meeting, collect all current data regarding your loved one’s medical, physical, social, and mental health needs. Share current medical reports, treatment options, and recommendations. Out of pocket expenses, private care, equipment, and other expenditures need to be itemized and included in a corresponding budget. How: Agree to some basic ground rules regarding how respectful communication will take place. Present the issue. Open the meeting for discussion and clarification of the needs. Invite all ideas. Assign tasks, responsibilities, and due dates. Record all decisions. Decide on how this will be monitored and when the follow up meeting will take place. Handled with respect, family meetings can enhance and solidify relationships and ensure a transformational caregiving experience for all family members.

This ended up being a bit long but there is a lot of critical information to protect your loved ones during this heat wave. To stay safe in the summer heat, it is important to stay hydrated and to be smart about how long you stay outdoors and how you protect yourself from heat exposure both outside and inside the home. Summer temperatures are reaching dangerous levels that can lead to fatalities from heatstroke. (also known as sun stroke). Heat stroke, especially in the elder...ly, must be treated as a medical emergency. Older seniors in general are more prone to heat sensitivity and heat stroke, based on a variety of risk factors. Familiarize yourself with the heatstroke risk factors and you will not only protect yourself but you may be able to save the life of an elderly neighbour or family member. Heatstroke Risk Factors Advanced Age: As the natural aging process takes its course, the body becomes less able to adjust to temperature changes. Chronic conditions: Chronic medical conditions including kidney disease, heart and lung disease, all common conditions, often change how an older adult reacts to heat. Prescription medicines: Certain medications that are commonly prescribed to elder patients can limit the body’s ability to regulate both temperature and perspiration. Socio-demographic factors: We often see seniors who live on their own ignoring symptoms of heat stroke. Low-income older adults can be hesitant to turn on fans or air conditioning units in an attempt to lower electric bills in the summer months. Symptoms Paleness Hot, dry skin (no sweating) Muscle cramps Rapid heart rate Fainting Nausea Vomiting Delirium Focus on keeping the home comfortable, cool and well ventilated, and making sure that there is plenty of access to drinking water. Check in regularly on older adults, look for the signs and symptoms of heatstroke, including exhaustion.

These challenging times are creating some opportunities to work with us! We are looking to fill 2 positions asap! Our local seniors continue to need services and our team approach is in need of some amazing people! We are looking for a PSW to work 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday-Friday for 30 hours per week.... We are also looking for 20 hours per week for a general caregiver! Please submit resumes to [email protected] Or call us at 519-429-2644 for more information!