CAREGiver of the Month: February

Our CAREGiver of the Month for February 2013 is Herb!

This summer Herb raised $555 for The Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba's Memory Walk - the top caregiver fundraiser on the Home Instead Senior Care team - an example of the kind of guy he is. Compassionate and thoughtful.

Herb answered a few questions about being a CAREGiver:

What's a memorable moment you've had with a client?

A memorable moment is actually memorable events that is still ongoing. One client when I first was introduced to him, was very cold and negative towards me, he seemed like he was upset with the whole world. He didn't like the place where he is living and whenever I took him to different outing, he would always say "whatever" when I told him where we were going that day and he didn't seem to care. He never wanted to try mini-golf or go shot some pool, he would say "I don't want to."

I would then take him to different museums all over town and in the summer to all kinds of parks. He seems to really like St.Vital Duck Pond, watching people as they came by feeding the ducks & geese. It brought memories for him, of his younger days, when he would go hunting with with his buddies. I was always amazed at his ability to remember all the different types of geese that would come by.

Over the months and years that have passed he has now become very fond of me and looks forward to his weekly outing. A few times when I was away or sick , he would mention how much he missed his weekly outing . In this last year I have even taken him back to mini-golf locations and also to play pool , and he likes it now. He even wins a few games here and there. He approves of me now, looks forward to his weekly outing, no matter where we go, that's what he told me just last week.

Why did you decide to become a caregiver?

I decided to get involved after I retired from my job early because of a back injury . My wife went into a Nursing Home, it was there that I noticed several residents, who had Elderly Companions and as I observed what they were doing I felt that is what I could be doing as well. So I then went online, to inquiry about elderly companions. And Home Instead Senior Care, was one that came up. I wrote down the phone # and called. I was interviewed by Brian. I think that was about four years ago.


Thank you Herb for all your hard work!

Cold Weather Tips for Seniors

The extreme temperatures and snow of winter can be particularly dangerous for older adults. The elderly and those with heart disease are at special risk, according to the American Heart Association.

As people age, their ability to maintain a normal internal body temperature often decreases. Because elderly people seem to be relatively insensitive to moderately cold conditions, they can suffer hypothermia without knowing they're in danger.

Hypothermia means the body temperature has fallen below normal. It occurs when your body can't produce enough energy to keep the internal body temperature warm enough and the condition can kill. Heart failure causes most deaths in hypothermia, the American Heart Association notes.

The following tips, from Home Instead Senior Care, will help you safeguard a senior loved one or neighbor.

• Fill the cupboard. Help your senior stock the staples and groceries they’ll need in the event of a large snowstorm or cold spell.
• Maximize energy. Encourage your senior to make sure they have adequate insulation and to check and clean the fireplace and furnace.
• Minimize drafts. Help your senior fill old socks with sand and use them in drafty windowsills and door jams. Weather-strip around windows and doors. Keep doors closed to unused rooms and close curtains at night.
• Stay toasty. Advise your senior to add an extra blanket to the bed and warm the bed in advance with a hot water bottle. Never use electric blankets.  A senior may not be able to operate the controls if the temperature needs to be adjusted in the night.
• Dress warmly. A senior’s circulation decreases with age. Encourage your senior to wear an extra sweater or sweatshirt, and sweat pants during the winter.
• Monitor the thermostat. Check with your senior to make sure that they’re keeping the thermostat above 65 degrees during the cold weather. Older adults are particularly susceptible to hypothermia, which can develop over a few days and weeks even in the mildly cool indoor temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees.
• Beware of budget problems. Make sure your senior isn’t trying to save money by keeping the thermostat down. Many communities have energy assistance programs for low- and fixed-income households.
• Avoid slips. Make sure your senior has made arrangements to have driveways and walkways cleaned. Salt and sand should be available to speed melting.
• Stay in touch. Check on your neighbor or loved one frequently during periods of cold and snowy weather.
• Build a network. You can’t always be around to help your elderly loved one. Call on neighbors, family and church members to help. Or contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office.

Be a Santa to a Senior 2012

As we start off 2013 it's nice to reflect on all the great memories of 2012. Once again a highlight for us here at Home Instead Senior Care was our Be a Santa to a Senior program. We launched the program mid-November and by the end of December had raised almost 1000 gifts. Gifts that went to seniors in Winnipeg who might not otherwise receive a gift during the holiday season.

We want to thank everyone who made this possible.

We couldn't do it without our partners and their contributions to the program. Thank you so much Age & Opportunity, Victoria General Hospital, Victoria Lifeline, Holy Rosary Catholic Church and The Westhaven Independent Retirement Living.

Also, thank you to every office, classroom, family and individual in the community who took a seniors gift request(s) and made it happen.

Below are a few of the thank you messages we've received. We wanted to share them with all of you who made Be a Santa to a Senior 2012 our best year yet:

"Dear Home Instead Senior Care staff,

Many thanks for including our precious residents in your "Santa to a Senior" campaign again this year.

You just never know the difference these acts of kindness make in someones life. The residents are always so delighted with their surprises.

Thanks to this program 37 of our residents will know that they were thought of at this special time of year. We all are reminded that Winnipegers care!

Again thank you and your staff for all their efforts."

Leigh Carriere
Tenant Resource Coordinator
Lions Housing Centres

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"Thank you so much for putting the gifts together for our 3 residents at Deerlodge Centre. Christmas will be special for these residents as they would not receive gifts otherwise.

Merry Christmas and all the best to you and your organization in 2013.

Sincerely, Wendy"

 

Recreation Facilitator

Deerlodge Centre

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"On behalf of Grace Hospital, please accept our most sincere thanks for the special gifts for our patients this holiday season.

 

The beautifully wrapped packages brought warmth and happiness to those who received them at the most special time of year. We are grateful for your generosity."

 

Grace Hospital Foundation

 

CAREGiver of the Month: December

Our CAREGiver of the Month for December 2012 is Josie!

Here at Home Instead Senior Care we look for CAREGivers that are reliable, professional and compassionate with our clients. We can always count on Josie which is why we choose to recognize her as our last CAREGiver of the Month for 2012. She answered a few questions about being a CAREGiver:

What was one of your favourite moments with a client?

My favorite moments with clients is when I make them smile. My heart is full of joy if I see them happy and satisfied with the services I've rendered.

What advice would you give to a new caregiver?

The important thing that I can give as an advice to all new in this kind of work is to be truthful, patient, dedicated in everything they do and maintain a professional relationship with clients. Treat clients with full respect, dignity, understand their needs and give the best care that they can.

Why did you decide to become a caregiver?

It was my profession as a nurse in my home country and with the experiences I've gained in my work that leads me in this field. I am passionate about making a difference, I love and I enjoy rendering utmost care to the sick and needy and to see that they are recover promptly.

Thank you Josie for all your hard work!

Be a Santa to a Senior

Caitlin and Brian busy doing deliveries for Be a Santa to a Senior last week. In the past week over 700 gifts have been delivered for isolated and/or low-income seniors in the community to have a gift to open on Christmas. We'll also be taking gifts to a couple local hospitals to bring some joy to seniors who have to spend their Christmas in the hospital.

 Thank you to all the generous Winnipeggers who make this program possible!