Our Community Newsletter

Enjoy the Comforts of Home for as Long as Possible.

Serving Your Community Toronto - Forest Hill/Leaside Spring 2011

Alzheimers Issue
When to Call the Doctor about Alzheimers Recognize the early warning signs

Our newsletter is dedicated to the communities we care for, the wonderful friends we have met as we grow in this exciting business, our fine staff of dedicated caregivers and most importantly, our clients, who put their trust in us each and every day. At Premier Homecare Services we treat every contact as a friend and every client as a family member. We perform every task as an honour.

Is a Cure for Alzheimers on the Horizon?

Researchers who are working night and day to understand the complexities of the brain and of dementia certainly hope so. Leaps of discoveries about how the brain functions related to dementia and Alzheimers are being made and the race is on. The last thirty years have brought a world of knowledge about how Alzheimers disease and the current discoveries are astounding. Lets look at some of the headlines:

plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (like plaques but found Health & Safety: inside brain neurons) can be The Safe and Proper present without causing Use of Gait Belts symptoms of cognitive decline unless the brain also shows When a Loved One evidence of some kind of vascular disease. Autopsy with Alzheimers studies have shown that as Loses a Spouse indicator of Alzheimers many as 80 percent of people disease. However, recent with Alzheimers disease also The Premier research published in the have cardiovascular disease. Difference Journal Science, discovered So its thought that reducing our Premier Specializes in this view is wrong. Its not risk of heart diseases may Alzheimers disease that the brain is producing too prevent Alzheimers disease. and Dementia much amyloid, but rather that What are beta-amyloids and its unable to get rid of what is Are there ways I can prevent The 7 Summits how are they involved in already there. Alzheimers? Climb for Alzheimers disease? Regular physical exercise Beta-amyloids are sticky Alzheimers What is the heart and mind increases blood and oxygen protein substances which the Disease connection? flow to the brain and protects brain produces normally in One mans attempts What puzzles researchers is heart health. A healthy diet is everyone. They are thought to to raise $1 million for that not everyone who has a important, one low in red meats assist the nerves from overAlzheimers research buildup of amyloid plaques and high in whole grains, fruits, firing. When beta-amyloids actually develops symptoms vegetables and good oils. build-up in the brain they clump of Alzheimers disease. Protecting ourselves from head together as plaques, an early Researchers have found that injury is also important. As well, maintaining strong social connections and keeping our brains mentally active lowers the risk of cognitive decline and National Family Caregivers Assoc. Empowering and of developing Alzheimers or informing family caregivers thefamilycaregiver.org dementia.

A Handful of Helpful Links

WebMD A health and medical source for information, news and a supportive community webmd.com Premier Homecare Services - For local events, informative links and resources visit - PremierHomecareServices.com

Please call our office to schedule a FREE, no obligation in-home consultation.

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2011 All Articles written by or for Premier Homecare Services unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved.

PREMIER HOMECARE SERVICES

When to Call the Doctor about Alzheimers

Recognizing the Early Warning Signs
If youre worried about your older loved ones changing behaviors and think that just maybe they have the early signs of dementia, now is the time to inquire. The signs or symptoms of Alzheimers arent always easy to notice and can be difficult to distinguish from the result of simply getting older. Plus, an early diagnosis can make for more treatment options and may offer a chance to slow the progression of this disease without a cure. Take a look at your loved one with an objective eye, take notice of their behavioral changes and write notes. Get them checked if you have any concerns about dementia. Here are some warning signs to consider: Odd Behaviours Being forgetful is a normal part of the aging process. What youre looking for is the misplacement of objects, like the car keys in the fridge or the apples in the dishwasher. This is not simply forgetting where apples go, but rather not realizing where theyre putting them. Are they able to remember what happened thirty years ago but cant recall what they ate for breakfast? Anyone can forget the details of a story, notice if they forget the whole thing.

COMMUNITY EVENTS
National Oral Health Month If its been a while, now is a great time visit your oral health professional for a checkup. Regular dental visits are key to maintaining oral health. Learn more from the Canadian Dental Association at www.cda-adc.ca. When: April, 2011
Earth Month & Earth Day

Confusion and
Disorientation

Earth day on April 22, promotes the continued health and wellbeing of where we call home! Join in local tree plantings, community clean-ups or find a way to take part. Learn more at www.EarthDay.ca. When: April, 2011 Medic Alert Awareness Month Promotes the Medic Alert Foundation services aimed to protect Canadians by providing vital medical information during emergencies. Call 1-800-6681507 or visit www.medicalert.ca When: May, 2011 National Hospice Palliative Care Week The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association honours the role of caregivers in end-of-life care as well as advancing and advocating for quality end of life care. Learn more at www.chpca.net. When: May 2-8, 2011
Visit our News & Events online!

Personality Changes
This is often the most noticeable to friends and family. Maybe mom is having sudden mood swings, or might react with anger for no particular reason. She may express fears or mistrust, become withdrawn and less social, and take less joy in activities they used to love.

People with dementia tend to get lost even in areas they know like the back of Language and their hand. They have Communication difficulty discerning times Difficulties of day or seasonal People who have dementia changes and may go for have difficulty bringing up both their morning walk at difficult and easy words. Their midnight. Notice if they stories may be hard to follow have difficulty completing as they dont seem to make basic and familiar tasks. sense. You may need to Decreased or Poor guide the conversation to get Judgment the answers youre asking about. Their speaking may Your loved one may show become distorted. poor judgment with making

Repetition
How many times have they told you the story about what happened to them at the grocery store? Often people with dementia will repeat stories, sometimes word for word, without remembering theyve already told you. They may ask you the same questions over and over again, too.

decisions about money, driving or health.

Hygiene Problems
Also one of the most noticeable signs is when they seem to lose interest in their appearance and personal hygiene. Someone who has always been clean and neat may now wear clothing with stains, be unshaven, stinky or may wear the same clothes over and over again.

Memory Loss
This is more difficult to spot as forgetting is a normal part of aging, however look for patterns in their forgetfulness.

In youth we run into difficulties, in old age difficulties run into us.
Beverly Sills

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2011 All Articles written by or for Premier Homecare Services unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved.

Health and Safety

The Safe and Proper Use of Gait Belts
A gait belt is a device used to safely transfer someone who is weak or to assist them to stand or walk. Putting the belt around the persons waist and then holding it, enables the caregiver to help them balance and keeps them from falling. The gait belt also decreases the caregivers chance of injury when used properly. The most common type of gait belt is called a Posey gait belt, which consists of a belt with a buckle on the end. There are also varieties that have padded belts and handles for ease of use. You can buy gait belts at medical supply stores.
Caution - please check with your doctor to see if this device is appropriate for your situation. Follow recommended manufacture instructions for usage.

When a Loved One with Alzheimers Loses a Spouse

What are you to do when your aging parent with Alzheimers has just lost their spouse? How can you explain the death of someone who has been at their side for a long time and perhaps has been the sole primary caregiver? Or, should you explain it? How can they possibly come to terms with their grief in the midst of dementia? The best answers to these questions are personal to your family and situation, without right or wrong ways to handle the situation. Judge your responses on how progressed the cognitive impairment is for your loved one and how you feel theyll handle the news. It just may be best to redirect, reassure, reminisce or perhaps even lie, if the intention is based on kindness for their feelings. To read more on this topic or others, please visit our blog. Informative writing on contemporary aging issues.

Subscribe to our Blog!

www.PremierHomecareServices.com/blog

Proper use of the gait belt is essential at all times to prevent injury of the caregiver and person being assisted. Here are some safety tips: Always gain permission to use a gait belt from the person youre assisting. Explain it is to prevent falls and injury. Put the belt around the waist over the clothes, with the buckle secure in the front. Make sure the belt is snug enough to just fit your fingers underneath. Thread the belt through the loops properly to lock it or prevent it from slipping out. Always concentrate on using good posture when assisting someone with a gait belt. Bend from the knees and tighten your core abdominal muscles. Lift using your arm and leg muscles, not from the back. Do not twist or tilt your body when lifting a person, remain straight up and down in proper form.

The Premier Difference:

Alzheimers and Dementia Care
We specialize in Alzheimers and dementia care, and our professional caregivers provide the compassionate, loving and personalized care your family deserves. Heres how we put our words into action:

Training & Skills Development for Caregivers

We hire the best in the industry and then we train them some more. And just to be sure, our caregivers have incentives to attend Alzheimers training workshops and classes This means our caregivers are knowledgeable on how to meet the specific and unique needs of clients with Alzheimers and dementia.

Communication
The lines of communication are always open and are nurtured to better understand changes in behaviour, ability, treatments and care of your loved one with dementia or Alzheimers.

Our Commitment
We are committed to the needs of every client and look forward to showing you why we are the Premier choice for your homecare services.

FRANCHISING OPPORTUNITIES
Canadian owned and operated, Premier Homecare Franchising Inc. is one of the most successful in-home caregiving service companies. If you are interested in learning more about how a Premier Homecare Services franchise can benefit your personal and business aspirations, please visit www.phsfranchise.com or call David at 1-877-884-1181.

Would you like copies of OUR COMMUNITY Quarterly for your office or community center? Our pleasure!

Please call our Office at 416-637-2155.

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2011 All Articles written by or for Premier Homecare Services unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved.

Let us help you & your family. Call for your complimentary, no obligation assessment today!

The 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimers Disease

Memories are everything, says Alan Arnette, a mountain climber and Alzheimers disease advocate who has embarked on a year-long challenge to scale 7 summits, the highest peak on each continent. Together we can move mountains and make a difference in the lives of those affected by Alzheimers disease, he continues as he raises funds for the Cure Alzheimers Fund, a non-profit charity established to provide funding for research into the causes of this debilitating disease without a cure, and The National Family Caregivers Association. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (Africa), and the Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia (Oceania). Alan is also taking on an eighth summit, Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia which is part of the Oceania continent. The Mother Behind the Climber Alan was a caregiver for his mother Ida Arnette who suffered the symptoms of Alzheimers disease for almost a decade before she died in 2009. Alan experienced first-hand the dire need for safe and effective treatments as well as better support for family caregivers. So, he combined these needs with his passion for mountaineering and is taking on this challenge. Alan is striving to raise $1 million to advance Alzheimers research and raise awareness on the increased need for support for family caregivers. One hundred percent of all donations are used directly for Alzheimers research initiatives. Learn more or donate by visiting the following sites. So far Alan has summited both Vinson Massif in Antarctica and the Aconcagua in Argentina (South America). Everest (Asia) is next followed by Denali in Alaska (North America, Elbrus in Russia (Europe), The 7 Summits Climb: www.climb4ad.com Cure Alzheimers Fund: www.curealzfund.org

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OFFICE HOURS Monday to Friday 9:00am 5:00pm

On-Call and Available 24/7 About Our Company

At Premier Homecare Services we choose to make a positive difference in our clients lives. Our staff performs their collective duties with confidence, a sincere concern, commitment, cheerfulness, respect and genuine compassion.

Our Purpose We recognize that among the elderly, persons with disabilities, and anyone else for that matter, there is a growing desire albeit, an increasing need to receive respectful and liberating self-directed care at home, wherever home is.

Premier Homecare Services Toronto Forest Hill/Leaside

Serving your loved ones with dignity & respect. Address:164 Eglinton Ave. E.,Suite102 Toronto, ON M4P1G4 Phone: 416-637-2155 Email: infofhl@homecarephs.com Visit our Website: PremierHomecareServices.com
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2011 All Articles written by or for Premier Homecare Services unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved.