2019-11-22_amanda_NovemberContentDeliverables_HomeCareAssistanceMTL_Draft4_21Nov2019.docx

HomeCare Assistance Montreal

November content deliverables: REVIEW DRAFT – 22 November 2019

Monthly theme: Change of seasons

Newsletter

Article 1:

Big picture view: Three tips for emotional wellness this winter

Snow. Ice. Freezing rain. Winter brings a fresh wave of anxiety for caregivers worried about how the seniors in their lives will cope. But while the risk of falls – and related physical injuries – is a valid concern in winter, we can’t afford to ignore the emotional factors that come into play as we settle into the long, dark months ahead.

Shorter days and longer nights mean less daylight and dwindling Vitamin D. Dipping temperatures and unpredictable weather make it harder to get out and about. All of that can have a compound effect on a senior’s general health and well-being.

Putting deliberate thought into three key areas can help ensure you’re keeping everyone’s mood and emotional well-being on the up and up, even as the long Canadian winter stretches out before us:

Keep an eye on “sundowning” as we say goodbye to daylight savings.

Seniors – particularly those suffering from dementia – can become agitated, or experience exacerbated behavioral disturbances – in the late afternoon or evening hours, as day shifts to night. Coined “sundowning”, the syndrome can become worse in late fall as people are now forced to adjust to the sun setting even earlier.

Something that might seem like a simple routine change for you (say eating dinner after dark as opposed to before) could feel much more challenging for a senior already experiencing sundowning. Research shows the effects of sundowning can actually be worse at this time of year.

Think about what might need to shift in their routine to help smooth their transition from day to night. Should you move dinner up by an hour? Ensure lamps turn on sooner? Encourage bathing earlier? Every senior, and every case of sundowning, is different. Take the time to assess how the shift in daylight hours may or may not be having a ripple effect on your loved one’s mood and behavior, and build in subtle changes to help.

Take note of the natural connection points that disappear as autumn turns to winter.

From sitting on the front porch and interacting with neighbors walking by, to attending community events in the warmth of the spring air: it’s easier to stay connected to other people when the weather cooperates.

As winter tends to limit mobility for seniors and even render some house-bound, isolation can become a greater risk. We know loneliness is bad for our health. Studies show a link between loneliness and all kinds of issues, from higher blood pressure to shorter life expectancy. Layer in the holiday factor in December, when many seniors have been shown to actually experience feelings of sadness as they long for what (and who) they might have lost, and the winter can feel isolating.

Don’t take social connectedness for granted. If you’re loved one typically counts on informal drop-by visits for social interaction, be sure to actually schedule these in during the winter months when weather can knock “pop by’s” off the radar. If visits aren’t feasible, build in a regularly scheduled call, or enable them with technology to allow for FaceTime or Skype chats where they can see and interact with you.

Create family gatherings that make it feasible for seniors to participate from a time of day perspective. Eliminate any transportation hurdles to up the chances of them attending.

Also this: don’t discount opportunities for your loved ones to connect through community activities, too. From a Sunday afternoon scrabble club at the local legion, to a book reading at the municipal library, seeking out opportunities to safely help your loved one feel connected through social activities can help keep feelings of isolation at bay.

Find ways to build in enough fresh air.

A little fresh air can go a long way for someone’s mood. By November, that’s harder and harder to come by. There’s no denying cold weather is tough on the elderly. Still, there’s a benefit to finding the right ways for them to feel a little fresh air on their face, capitalize on the increasingly rare sunny day to soak up a bit of Vitamin D, and have a change of scenery.

In many northern cities around the world, community leaders are actually working to build towns and cities that are designed specifically to help residents – seniors included – live well in the winter through more accessible design. Closer to home, we know how difficult even a walk down the sidewalk can become once winter holds us in its grasp. But there’s no denying the upside of even small doses of fresh air.

Knowing what type of outdoor exposure would work for your loved one should be your guiding principle. From there, finding small ways to get them outside between now and spring doesn’t have to be complicated. Anything as simple as seizing on a slightly warmer or sunnier day, and making that the afternoon you help them dress for the weather, accompany them to the car and head to the mall, can make a difference.  On the flip side, always confirm they’re safe and sound in the comfort of their own home at the end of the outing.

Closing thoughts

Getting through winter can be physically challenging and emotionally draining. Paying close attention to both sides of the proverbial coin can help ensure the senior in your life feels as good as possible while the cold wind’s blowing.

References:

Alzheimer Society Canada

National Seniors Council / Government of Canada

Mayo Clinic

American Journal of Psychiatry

Alzheimer's Universe

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Facebook:

Ensuring the senior in your life feels connected and well this winter is as important as safeguarding their homes against falls in the icy months ahead. We’re offering three key factors to keep in mind as you focus on supporting a loved one’s emotional needs this winter.

Instagram:

[music emoji] The snow is snowing, the wind is blowing, but you can weather the storm. [music emoji]  Knowing how to keep the seniors in your life feeling connected and emotionally well this winter is key. Check out our top three tips for caregivers keeping their loved one’s mental wellness top of mind this season. [bit.ly]

Article 2

Caregiver Rx: 6 ways to safeguard a loved one’s home against the ice and snow

If you live in Montreal, winter’s already here. With the blanket of white stuff arriving even earlier than usual, we’re officially in this thing for the long haul. That’s left many of us scrambling to finish up winter-proofing our homes while digging out from beneath the first snow drifts of the year.

If you’re caring for a senior citizen, driveways and sidewalks are a major concern. The sight of ice building up, and the buzz of early-morning snow ploughs, is enough to get any of us worrying about potential falls.

And we’re not wrong. Falls are the most common cause of injury among older Canadians. Every year, one in three seniors over the age of 65 is likely to fall at least once. They account for almost 85% of injury-related hospitalizations for seniors, and account for more than $2 billion a year in estimated costs for the Canadian health care system.

The risk is so real, in fact, that many some seniors actually suffer from “post-fall anxiety syndrome”, a serious complication in which someone can experience a downward spiral of reduced mobility, deconditioning, weakness and greater risk of – you guessed it – more falls.

The thing is, as dangerous as falls can be, they’re not the only risk you need to be on the look-out for this winter. As the weather takes a turn for the worse, it’s important to focus on a senior’s overall living conditions and spot possible trouble areas before they cause a problem.

What should you be looking for as you help your loved ones adjust to winter’s arrival, and prepare to handle the months ahead as safely as possible?

Put yourself in their shoes. Literally.

If you’re worried about the mobility risk of icy walkways, slippery steps or a snowed-in driveway, explore those pain points from your loved one’s perspective. Literally walk the walk, steps and drive to see these areas through their eyes. If snow removal and sand or salt are your main concern, ensure you’re set up with the right support to make that happen. Remember: you can’t be everywhere at once; if you need to outsource these tasks find a reliable contractor or a local student to help. Going through the motions one step at a time can help you zero in on the less obvious trouble spots. Do they need a banister to navigate the front walkway? Is the backdoor accessible now that the snow is building up? Unearth and address issues now, before they trip anyone up.

Don’t just look down.

Slippery surfaces are one thing, but don’t stop there. Do a full route around the exterior of the house to see what else you might be missing. Dryer vents covered in snow can be a fire hazard. Same goes for chimneys that haven’t been properly maintained. Windows and doors in need of caulking or weatherproofing could be an unwanted source of additional drafts. Patio furniture that was never put away could now be a dangerous obstacle. Wherever the senior citizen in your life is living, take a little time to assess risks from the outside, and fix anything that needs fixing before winter gets any worse.

Turn up the safety on heat sources.

The elderly can suffer the cold more than a younger person would, bringing the need for additional heat sources. That could mean anything from an electric blanket to a space heater or even a scented candle. All of those represent fire risks if used in the wrong way, left to overheat, or forgotten. Know what they’re using to keep warm, and make them aware of the safety precautions they should be taking. A few Post-It notes reminding a loved one to double check these items regularly can make a huge difference. In the same breadth, keep an eye on the thermostat in the house to make sure it’s at the right setting for their comfort level. If you’re worried they aren’t able to navigate the technology themselves, consider a newer model where you can set the temperature to stay above a certain degree point, leaving them nothing to do but enjoy the warmth.

Don’t let the little things trip them up.

Shorter days mean longer nights – and more darkness all around. Little things, like a pair of discarded boots, can become bigger hazards when light is poor and shadows have fallen. Doing a regular sweep of the house to ensure that the items your loved one needs regular access to are easy to reach and out of their foot path is important. Consider anti-slip mats or carpeting if you’re additionally worried about the slip factor that wet entryways or footwear can cause.

Make sure the cupboards don’t run bare.

If a senior is used to regularly visiting the shops to pick up the odd ingredient or two, winter might make that harder, if not impossible, to maintain. Wintertime means thinking further ahead in terms of the groceries and necessities stocked and on-hand. That’s a good way to limit the number of unexpected or rushed trips to the store. It can also help ensure your loved one is maintaining nutritional and dietary needs even in the winter months. Someone who doesn’t want to alert a caregiver to an unexpectedly empty fridge might fall into the trap of not getting enough of what they need. And diet is everything in the cold winter months and beyond.

Have a “just in case” plan.

Anyone who weathered Québec’s now-famous ice storm is likely to feel an impending sense of doom when the lights flicker in the winter. That fear can be exacerbated for a senior citizen, especially if they’re on their own. Having, and discussing, an emergency plan just in case can ease a lot of that worry. Agree to what you’ll do if the power goes out. Have them pack a little bag of essentials on the off chance they need to stay somewhere else when temperatures dip. Warn them about the use of gas or kerosene indoors. Ensure their phone line will work even in a power failure and if it won’t, plan ahead for how you’ll get in touch. Discussing those details now can take some of the stress out of a possible emergency later.

References

Statistics Canada

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235613/

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-624-x/2014001/article/14010-eng.htm

Journal of Accessibility and Design For All

Facebook:

Falls are a major concern for seniors, particularly in the winter months. But they’re not the only hazard you should have on your radar as the cold weather settles in. Taking a good look around the exterior and interior of your loved one’s home can help identify these 6 issues made worse by the blowing wind and snow. (link)

Instagram:

Are you looking up, down and all around to ensure a senior’s home is safe come winter? Keeping these 6 trouble spots in mind can help you source out danger before it causes any damage. (bit.ly)

Website or longer-form social posting

Piece 1: Need to know – 3 hints for being emotionally well in the long, dark winter

Slippery sidewalks and snowy drifts aren’t the only risks seniors face in the winter months. Isolation, loneliness and a lack of human connections can bubble up as the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer.

Knowing how to balance someone’s emotional and physical needs between now and spring is important. After all, mental health is health.

This month, HomeCare Assistance Montreal offers three key take-aways that can help you better understand the emotional issues that impact your loved one’s well-being, and practical advice for helping them live well in the winter. Check them out here. [link]

Piece 2: Quick list: Top questions to ask when assessing a caregiver’s approach to offering companionship

We tend to focus on the physical impact that winter will have on the seniors in our life. But the emotional side is just as meaningful.

Isolation can play a big factor in someone’s mental wellness; even more so during the long Canadian winter. Building social connection points and regular visits into the schedule can help. But what about when you’re not there? If you’re incorporating caregiver support into a senior’s life, it’s important to understand their working style – including how they’ll offer the basic but important element of companionship.

Get to know the caregivers you’re going to be working with, and don’t be shy to ask questions about their capacity to interact with your loved one. Asking these questions at the early stages can ensure you’re proactively fending off feelings of isolation while setting the relationship up for success:

How do you start a visit with a client? What’s your process once you arrive?

What kinds of questions do you ask at each visit?

What portion of the time you spend together will be dedicated to a calm or recreational activity – like playing cards, or chatting?

How do you assess how the client is doing? What approach do you take to ensure you’re getting the big picture view at every visit?

Will you and I be in touch at all, to keep one another posted on how things are going?

[link to emotional wellness article]