This is the time of year when influenza is on the rise, and the risk of both contracting and spreading infection is prime. Why not do all you can to stop the spread of germs by simply washing your hands properly. There are five steps to keeping your hands bacteria-free: 1. Wet your hands with warm running water. 2. Add soap, and then rub your hands together, making a soapy lather. Do this away from […]
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Signs of Caregiver Burnout
Taking care of someone with dementia – or other older adult disease or frailty, requires time and energy. It can be a demanding and stressful task. Knowing and recognizing the signs of stress in yourself or someone you care about is the first step toward taking action. If the following symptoms occur on a regular basis, call your doctor, ask your family or support network for help, or look at putting some respite into place […]
Myths About Healthy Ageing
MYTH: Ageing means declining health and/or disability. Fact: There are some diseases that become more common as we age. However, getting older does not automatically mean poor health or that you will be confined to a walker or wheelchair. Plenty of older adults enjoy vigorous health, often better than many younger people. Preventive measures like healthy eating, exercising, and managing stress can help reduce the risk of chronic disease or injuries later in life. MYTH: Memory […]
What Contributes To Falls?
Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths, unintentional injuries, and hospital admissions for trauma. Falls can take a serious toll on older adults’ quality of life and independence. Falls occur due to a loss of balance and an inability to recover balance. The complex set of conditions and circumstances that lead to this loss of balance are known as fall-related risk factors. There are four main systems that work together to […]
20 Warning Signs That Your Parents Need Help At Home
Maybe you’ve noticed that dad’s unopened mail is piling up. Or mom, once meticulous about her appearance, is wearing wrinkled clothes and not doing her hair. Perhaps there are bruises on your aging parent’s arms. When you bring up the subject, you hear, “Everything is fine. There’s no need to worry.” Admitting they need help would mean they can’t take care of themselves anymore, and no one wants to lose their independence. “Denial is the […]
Good Humor Is Good Medicine for Seniors
Part of our mandate at Perth Enrichment Program, is to help relieve stress – and alleviate depression. When it comes to relieving stress, more giggles and guffaws are just what the doctor ordered. Here’s why. Whether you’re gustily guffawing at an episode of “MASH” or quietly giggling at the latest New Yorker cartoon, laughing does you good. Laughter is a great form of stress relief, and that’s no joke. Stress relief from laughter A good […]
Integrated Care for Older Adults and Their Families
Part of our mandate includes enhancing the older adult under our care by supporting their care-givers. Families can be educated on the nature of the condition their loved one is experiencing, and coached in how to respond to it. They will receive regular objective updates on the functionality of the patients as well as a better sense of the rate of change, leading to better planning. They will be tied into existing community groups and […]
So Why Does Perth Need an Enrichment Program for Older Adults?
Perth, being a large retirement community, has a significant number of elderly with medical, social and/or emotional conditions that limits their thriving. Many older persons live at home, many alone, with the support of their friends and family. Many of them are vulnerable, isolated and in some functional difficulty, but intensely prefer to maintain themselves in their own home rather than in a nursing home. Many of them already get services at home, but are […]