Our Seniors
Canadian lifestyle is one of the best around the world. And Canadians are enjoying longer life spans and better health than ever before. According to Health Canada the proportion of seniors in the Canadian population is expected to double by 2025. As individuals we should take steps to age healthily and assist and support those around us who are seniors to live longer healthier lives.
What Can You Do?
If you are a senior, look for ways to keep yourself healthy, strong and flexible. Staying healthy is an important way for you to keep your independence. There are five determinants that play key roles in healthy aging:
Healthy Eating
Injury Prevention
Oral Health
Physical Activity
Smoking Cessation
What Information is Available?
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada want to ensure knowledge and expertise are shared to help seniors stay healthy. You may find resources at the following links:
Environmental Health Guide for Seniors at Home
Food Safety for Older Adults
Seniors and Aging - Osteoarthritis
Seniors and Aging - Bladder Control Problems (Incontinence)
Seniors and Aging - Preventing Falls in and around Your Home
Seniors and Aging - Vision Care
Report on Seniors' Falls in Canada - Public Health Agency of Canada
Communicating with Seniors: Advice, Techniques and Tips
End-of-life Care for Seniors CD
Just for You - Seniors
Changes and Adjustments
Apart from obvious change in a number aging comes with changes and seniors have to deal with and adjust in order to carry on. Here are a few things that sometimes family members and others often underestimate the burden some seniors carries as they age:
Adjusting to decreasing health and physical strength
Adjusting to retirement and reduced or fixed income
Adjusting to the death of a spouse
Accepting one’s self as an aging person
Maintaining satisfactory living arrangements
Redefining relationships with adult children
Finding ways to maintain quality of life
There are numerous community and institutional-based care and support services for seniors. At the BCF we have a PRIME TIMERS program for adults 55 years and older. There are weekly fellowships with information and activities, sometimes field trips and festivities as well as exercise classes for our seniors. As we know seniors are more at risk for cardiovascular disease and other events and BCF wants to the community to know the is an AED present and the classes are conducted by personnel training to respond to emergencies. We advise persons to obtain approval from the family doctor before joining any exercise program. Seniors have to keep moving otherwise they won’t be able to move.
Seniors over time experience changes in skin, joints and movement, sight, hearing, memory, balance, sense of touch, taste buds among other thing and those caring for them should be cognizant of these changes. The presence of disease conditions may compound these deficits. It is important treat and plan care based on the seniors needs. Not everyone will experience decline in each are and not at the same rate. My father has better eyesight than I do but his hearing is a bit lazy.
Some seniors live with family members, some live on their own and some in institutions. As we age it can get increasingly difficult to carry on regular activities such as moving a lawn, cleaning snow and just the general up keep of a house. Seniors sometimes move to a condominium or a retirement home. They can enjoy a good quality of life without having then hassle of maintaining grounds or being concern about security measures. As persons get older their may be physical as well as cognitive decline. Some families will arrange for care within the home but increasingly seniors as well as their family members are seeking out personal care home like assisted living facilities designed for adults who need minimal to moderate assistance. It provides an adult with accommodation, meals and supervision or assistance with personal care. Seniors should select homes that offer the features that are most important to them. Do the following when visiting a personal care home:
Choosing an Assisted Care Facility
Notice the atmosphere. The facility should feel like a home. Residence should be able to personalize their rooms and have privacy. The space should be adequate to meet the resident’s requirements.
Ask to see the facility’s license
Talk to the staff and residents about the care services provided, recreational activities and transportation.
Ask about the experience and training of staff
Ask whether residents are encouraged to do the things they like to do around the home such as tidying their room
Talk about how much money you will pay to live in the home and what you will receive in return
Ask to see the menu plan
Ask to see a copy of the resident’s rights and privileges
Ask about the rule of the home
Safety
Safety is a big concern where seniors are concerned. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Ensure that there are smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Seniors may forget they are cooking or be last to realize something is wrong. Use other vibrating devices for those who are hearing impaired.
Ensure floors are free of loose rugs and upturned edges
Ensure adequate lighting, especially at nights
Use a blister pack or other gadgets to organize medications. Seniors may forget or take repeated doses
Ensure that their diet is right for them based on existing medical conditions if there are any.
Help seniors keep track of appointments and follow up. Help to organize transport for appointments
Even in finances there are risks. Educate seniors about phone scams and letting unauthorized persons inside their homes. Persons at financial institutions should suspect, question and report unusual activities.
Final Arrangements
More than 50% of Canadians do not have wills! Wills are not only for the elderly. As a matter of fact I recently heard of two 18 year olds who have made their wills. It would be a shame if persons live to a ripe old age and still did not take the time and opportunity to put their business in order. A responsible person ensures that their personal wishes are clearly stated and documented in a legal fashion in the form of a will. You do not want your loved ones to go through the hassle that usually ensues when a person dies intestate. Only one will should exist at each time and the will should be reviewed and updated every few years are when circumstances change. Everyone needs a will. At a later date I will elaborate on the importance and content of a will. Seniors also make final arrangements by stating their wishes if they should be sick and unable to make decisions for themselves. Some would even put in place an advance directive or choose a substitute decision maker. What are your wishes? Does someone you know and trust have this information? You will not die sooner if you consider these things. As a matter of fact you are likely to live longer. Be wise. Be at peace
Today that the Lord Has Given You
As you put your business in order, mend relationships, focus on taking care of yourself and guide the younger generation remember God wants you to be happy and healthy. Continue in the race as a faithful athlete. Continue to fight like a good soldier. Continue to serve your family, the church and the community doing it unto the Lord. You have experienced much, teach us. You have seen many dangers and overcome many trials, guide us. You have been gifted and used if the Lord, impart in us. Yeah things are not the same but today you have life and your God is the same. He has kept you, watched over you, provided for you, enabled you, restored you and is keeping you. This is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it! Serve Him all the days of your life. Eat healthy, Do your exercise. It is not the body, it is the life (zoe) in you!
References
http://hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/jfy-spv/seniors-aines-eng.php
Canadian Fundamentals of Nursing by Potter & Perry – 4th edition
http://www.seniorshealthknowledgenetwork.ca/
