2020-09-04_amanda_SeptContent_Draft3_3Sept2020.docx

Laughing, gardening and remembering our way to better health
Big picture view: Article 1

Loneliness is hard to handle. It’s also bad for our health. More and more research links feeling lonely directly with impaired immunity – making those who experience loneliness less resistant to infection and disease. That’s a dangerous correlation for the 12% of Canadian seniors who reported feeling isolated or lonely long before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. What’s the good news? Almost 90% of studies in one recent review showed that key therapies can make a real impact in how lonely someone feels.

If you’re looking to head loneliness off at the pass as the days grow shorter, and social distancing measures linger on, these three therapies top the list:

Laughter is the best medicine. No, really. It’s true. Laughter therapy uses humour to relieve stress and pain, and improve someone’s well-being. How? Incorporating specific laughter exercises into a senior’s life (individually or in a safely distanced group setting) can ease feelings of loneliness. Same goes for other activities geared to get folks chuckling, from comedy films to funny novels, silly games or puzzles. Even clowns make the list. Think about incorporating formal or informal laughter into the daily routine, or talk to your residence about what options are on offer for more structured ways to get the giggling going.

Green thumbs make happy hearts. There’s a reason your social feeds are overwhelmed with photos of plants, plants and more plants these days. Gardening feels good. So good, in fact, that entire therapeutic methods have been designed around it. How? Horticultural therapy purposefully uses plants and plant-related activities – as well as the garden landscape – to promote well-being. And studies show it was one of the most successful loneliness interventions tested. Think about bringing some plant life into your home or room, and if you’re looking for a more formal course of complementary treatment, consider what a registered practitioner might provide.

Memories make the mood. Looking back can have a positive impact on the way you look forward, and what you look forward to. Reminiscence therapy – which draws on past memories to improve well-being – has been shown to reduce loneliness by as much as 30% for elderly study participants. How? The practice incorporates a handful of related-but-distinct therapeutic approaches. From simple reminiscence (where someone shares personal memories and stories) to more formalized life review sessions: this therapy supports a broad understanding of someone’s past history, and can play a major part in person-centred care. Weaving more opportunities to reminisce into regular conversation is a good place to start. For example, prompting a story by starting it off with “I remember when we went to Florida. What did we used to do at the beach there?”. On a bigger scale, looking into therapists specialized in this kind of care – or inquiring about the possibilities of working it into the daily routine at a residence – can curb loneliness. Especially as we head into the winter months, and anything the pandemic might throw our way.

Closing thoughts

Loneliness is pervasive, and social distancing doesn’t help. It’s also one of those things where your best defense may be a strong offense. Keeping social connectedness top of mind and considering therapies like these three leading options as we continue to weather the COVID-19 storm can be a positive step in a healthier direction.

Facebook

Loneliness is a lingering concern for seniors, particularly as the pandemic surges on. Interventions can help. We’re highlighting three key therapies that can ease loneliness, and boost health, at the same time.

Instagram

Loneliness directly impacts immunity, and hurts our ability to stave off infection and disease. The good news is: therapies do help. We’ve got three options for you to keep in mind as seniors continue to weather the COVID-19 storm this fall. Link in bio.

5 for 5: Core tenets of balanced care

Caregiver Rx: Article 2

Holistic care is better care. Full stop. We all define ‘successful aging’ differently, but studies show: aging well means much more than simply being free from disease. If you’re a caregiver thinking about how best to support an aging loved one, building our five core principals into your care plan can be the best way to start thinking broader about what good health can truly mean:

Cognitive stimulation

An active mind is a healthier mind. Finding stimulating ways to boost brain health is a fundamental starting point for healthier, happier senior years. Seemingly simple activities like word searches, music quizzes, picture identification, games and spelling channels can all play a part. And ensuring access to virtual options – through resources like our Life Enrichment Guide or MindFit series – is now equally important as seniors face ongoing isolation and social distancing measures.

Nutrition

Healthy eating and overall health go hand in hand. Studies show up to 85% of people living in long-term care facilities – and as many as one in 10 older individuals living in their own homes – experience malnutrition. Scanning someone’s cupboards to ensure they have healthy options on hand, or pre-scheduling grocery deliveries, can help seniors overcome potential stumbling blocks to a healthy diet. True, too, for keeping an eye out for weight loss or any other indicators that someone might not be getting the nutrients they need to fuel overall wellness.

Physical activity

Movement makes a difference. From mood to immunity, exercise helps seniors be and stay well. Whether you’re walking around the block with a loved one, or ensuring they incorporate exercise safely at home, staying active counts for a lot. Our balanced care method has always focused on building movement in through at-home activities like stretching. Think through your loved one’s routine, and ask yourself: are they moving enough?

Sense of calm
Everyone relaxes differently. Maybe you favour meditation. Perhaps reading is your thing. Research supports all kinds of ways to cultivate a greater sense of calm as part of a holistic approach to good health. Some suggest that creative engagement should be a priority in therapeutic programming. Figuring out what activities contribute to your loved one’s sense of calm can unlock the door to better health. It’s a big piece of what our caregivers focus on when creating individual care plans, and it’s something you can work in at home, too.

Social engagement
Staying connected is key. When we meet families to lay the groundwork for how we’ll approach senior care together, we always weave in clear tactics for encouraging social engagement. That takes many shapes, especially virtual right now. Thinking about how you can balance in-person engagement and distanced interactions (by leveraging technology for housebound seniors) can be a determining factor in someone’s well-being for the long term.

Closing thoughts

Good health for seniors comes down to a balanced care plan that’s broad enough to include cognitive, nutritional, physical, mental and social factors. Thinking through all five in a connected way is the first step to achieving better health outcomes for the seniors in your life.

Facebook

Balanced senior care comes down to 5 key factors. Are you covering them off well for the loved one in your life? Check them out here and reimagine senior health with a more holistic view.

Instagram

Five key factors contribute to truly balanced senior care. Are you weaving in the elements that can help your loved one live their best life? Link in bio.

Caregiver of the Month

This September, we’re celebrating Neema as our caregiver of the month!

Compassionate care shouldn’t feel like a job. That couldn’t be more true for Neema Wamui, who embraces her work as an opportunity to spend the day making life a bit easier for a special friend. Since joining our Home Care Assistance Montreal team in March, Neema’s built genuine relationships with her clients. They come together over the little things that make big impacts: reading the newspaper, working the crossword or sudoku together, and creating routines that foster well-being.

In her own words: “It’s a great working relationship because we’re both honest with each other about our expectations for each day, and we both try to maintain a positive attitude about the day’s tasks. The thing I love most about my job is that I’m able to put my gifts and talents to work every day. I’m able to be compassionate and care for wonderful clients, day in and day out.”

Thank you, Neema, for setting out to make each day a better day for our clients, and our team!

Facebook

It takes a special kind of person to commit themselves to caregiving. This month, we’re honouring Neema Wamui, for her innate ability to blend compassion and care in ways that make an impact. Read her story here.

Instagram

Neema Wamui loves her work – and it shows. Learn more about how she’s transforming senior care, one day at a time. Link in bio.

Tim’s personal LinkedIn

September 2020

TO COME

Newsletter subject line

September 2020

3 therapies to fight loneliness / Balanced care basics for seniors