How can we Help our Seniors Survive the Holidays?

By Reaching Out: Social connectedness is especially important during holiday times. Reaching out to older relatives, friends, and or neighbors who are alone is something all of us should do. Loneliness is a difficult emotion for anyone and especially troublesome during the holiday season. While visiting with any senior stroll down memory lane with them. People whose memories are impaired may have difficulty remembering recent events, but they are often able to share stories and observations from the past. These shared memories are important for the young as well—children enjoy hearing about how it was when older people were their age. Use picture albums, videos and or music, even theme songs from old radio or TV programs, to help stimulate memories and encourage seniors to share their stories and experiences. By Creating New Memories: In addition to memories, seniors need new things to anticipate. Add something new to the holiday celebration. Enjoy activities that are free, such as taking a drive to look at holiday decorations, or window-shopping at the mall or along a festive downtown street. Remember to involve all in holiday meal preparation, older adults with physical limitations can still be included in kitchen activities by asking them to do a simple, helpful task, like greasing cooking pans, peeling vegetables, folding napkins, wrapping gifts, or arranging flowers. Don’t forget to bring your pet! The benefits of playing with a very happy to see them pet is tenfold. When one person is happy, it can lift the spirits of others. So what mood do you want to create this holiday? Is it one of joy and fun? Peace and love? Giving and sharing? It's time to think about what might make a special holiday season for any senior that you visit.

November is Osteoporosis Month

Did you know by the age of 35 you begin to lose Bone Density? The density of your bones plays the largest factor in your risk for fractures. After the first fracture, 50% of people will fracture again within the first year. Wrist, spine, pelvis and hip are the most common sites for fractures. One in Four people that experience a hip fracture will die, two will require assisted living and only one will recover and return to regular activity. 1:3 Women AND 1:5 Men will suffer from Osteoporotic Fracture PREVENTION IS KEY – START EARLY! What can you do? Mild to moderate activity daily such as walking, stretching, light weights, resistance bands, yoga and tai chi are all nice and easy ways to strengthen the muscles surrounding your bones giving them support in the prevention of fractures. Eat foods high in Calcium such as milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli, kale, spinach and canned salmon with the bones! Getting your calcium from your diet first is best. Take your vitamin D! This is available in many forms including a flavourless drop that can be added to your families’ food. Advocate for yourself! Our doctors are extremely busy and sometimes treatment can be their main focus therefore prevention is up to you! Those over 50years of age, ask for a Bone Density Test. Osteoporosis Canada recommends for Adults to have 1200mg of Calcium each day. It is important you factor in your nutritional consumption before taking supplements and ensure you are taking only 500mg at one time. Try splitting up your doses with each meal. Your bones can only absorb 500mg each time therefore taking all of your calcium at once may begin to form plaques in your bloodstream with possibility of impairing your cardiac health. Osteoporosis Canada recommends taking 800IU of Vitamin D daily or more, talk to your doctor! Canadians are not exposed to the sun enough at any time of year to absorb the needed Vitamin D. Vitamin D is what helps the Calcium absorb into the bone giving your bones the nutrients they require to stay healthy. Fractures from Osteoporosis are more common than Heart Attack, Stroke and Breast Cancer COMBINED! To learn more visit www.osteoporosis.ca or contact your Alberta Chapter at 403-237-7022

What few easy, common sense changes in the home can help seniors stay healthy, active and independent?

Each year in Canada, one in three seniors will fall at least once. Hip fractures are the most common injuries experienced by seniors who fall.


It's no mystery why we're more likely to fall as we get older. As we age: Our balance, vision, and hearing deteriorate. We're not as strong due to lost bone density and muscle mass.

Seniors fall most often in their homes, while stairs and bathrooms are prime areas. But falls can — and do — happen in every part of the house.

Use this checklist for simple safety solutions.

• Stairs:

o Put handrails on both sides and keep them well lit

o Don't leave anything on them that you could trip over.

• Bathroom:

o Use non-skid mats and grab bars in tub, shower and beside the toilet

o Install non-slip flooring throughout

o Put one nightlight in your bathroom and hallways

• Kitchen:

o Put kitchen supplies where they're easy to reach

o Put heavy items in the lower cupboards

o Use a solid step stool with a safety rail for reaching high cupboards

o Wipe any spills immediately

• Living room and bedrooms:

o Leave lots of space to move around

o Don't use throw rugs

o Eliminate loose electrical cords

• Entranceways:

o Keep clear of clutter

o Have a chair or bench to sit on to change footwear

• Outside:

o Keep all walkways, stairs, and the driveway clear and well lit

o Use sensors for outside lighting

o Always put garden tools and snow shovels away

• General tips:

o Use a portable, cordless phone

o Avoid getting dizzy by getting up slowly from a chair or bed and don’t rush

o Remove your reading glasses when you're not reading

o Keep house well lit and use nightlights throughout

o Get help to do major chores like snow shoveling, raking leaves, mowing the lawn, painting

Why is Hot Weather a Danger for our Senior Population?

Seniors are prone to heat stroke and heat exhaustion, as the ability to notice changes in our body temperature decreases with age. Many seniors also have underlying health conditions that make them less able to adapt to heat. Many medications that seniors take can also contribute to dehydration.

A few simple precautions are all that's needed to keep safe, such as:

1.               Drinking plenty of liquids - Dehydration is the root of many heat related health problems. Drink plenty of water even if you're not thirsty. But remember to avoid alcoholic or caffeinated drinks, as they can actually contribute to dehydration.

2.               Wearing appropriate clothes - When it's hot out, wear light-colored, lightweight, loose-fitting clothes and a wide-brimmed hat.

3.               Staying indoors during the hottest part of the day - During periods of extreme heat, the best time to go out and about is before 10am or after 6pm, when the temperature tends to be cooler.

4.               Taking it easy - Avoid exercise and strenuous activity, particularly outdoors, when it's very hot.

5.               Seeking an air conditioned environment - Seniors without convenient access to any air conditioned place should consider a cool bath or shower to help cool down.

6.               Knowing the warning signs of heat-related illness - Dizziness, nausea, headache, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, fainting and breathing problems are all warning signs that medical help should be sought immediately. 

June is Brain Injury Awareness Month. How could your Awareness of Brain Injury Assist a Senior?

Falls are the leading cause of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) for seniors and are often missed or misdiagnosed; watch for these signs and symptoms if you know or suspect a senior has fallen or has a fall-related injury, such as a hip fracture.

Symptoms of Mild TBI

·         Low-grade headache that won’t go away - Getting lost or easily confused - Sleeping much longer than before or having trouble sleeping - Loss of balance or feeling light-headed or dizzy - Blurred vision - Loss of sense of taste or smell - Ringing in the ears – Easily irritated or listless

Symptoms of Moderate or Severe TBI

·       A headache that gets worse or does not go away - Repeated vomiting or nausea - Convulsions or seizures - Inability to fully wake up from sleep - Dilation of one or both pupils - Slurred speech - Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs - Loss of coordination - Increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation

If you see any of these above symptoms in a senior that you know or suspect may have fallen, you should ensure that they receive immediate medical attention. Seniors taking blood thinners should be seen immediately if they have a bump or blow to the head, even if they do not have any of the symptoms listed above.

May is Foot Health Awareness Month; what should seniors be aware of?

Did you know that your foot contains 26 bones, which are held in position by hundreds of ligaments, tendons and muscles, making it a complex mechanism?

As a senior, you already have about 100,000 kilometres on your feet. But that doesn't mean it's too late for comfort. In fact, there are many things you can do to keep your feet in good condition. Try some of the following practices.

• Wear good quality running shoes or shoes designed specifically for walking. Poorly fitting shoes are responsible for a number of conditions, such as spurs, corns, calluses and fungal infections.
• Perform gentle exercises such as moving your feet in circles or up and down to help improve mobility, flexibility and circulation.
• Do calf-stretching exercises to reduce tightness in the back of the lower leg muscles. Lean against the wall and place one foot forward and one foot back; bend the forward knee and you will feel the calf muscle of the opposite leg stretch. Hold for 10 seconds. Change the position of your legs and repeat the exercise.
• Use insoles to add cushioning to the soles of your shoes. As you get older, the fat pad under the bones at the ball of the foot tends to get displaced forward and reduces the cushioning at the ball of the foot. An insole will provide some extra cushioning.
• Elevate your feet when you can and walk as often as you can. Compression stockings may be beneficial.
• Get involved in a walking program. Check with your general practitioner and then start a gradual walking program. Be sure to wear appropriate and comfortable fitting shoes.
• Treat any ingrown toenails. A podiatrist can painlessly clip away a segment of the nail to provide immediate relief or permanently remove the offending nail border. Treat any ingrown toenails. Keep the feet warm and dry to avoid fungal infections and reduced circulation.

Remember it is never too late to start taking care of your feet!

April is Parkinson’s disease Awareness Month; what can we do to increase our awareness?

One way is to educate ourselves and others on what Parkinson’s disease is and how we can recognize it when symptoms are presented in ourselves, our family or our friends.

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease. Movement is normally controlled by dopamine, a chemical that carries signals between the nerves in the brain. When cells that normally produce dopamine die, the symptoms of Parkinson’s appear.

Is Parkinson’s life-threatening?

Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder that is ‘life-altering’, not ‘life-threatening’. Although people do not usually die of Parkinson’s, they may be at an increased risk for developing life-threatening complications, like pneumonia or severe swallowing difficulties, once they have progressed to a highly advanced stage.

Is Parkinson’s hereditary?

No specific clues have been discovered as yet.

What is the average age of diagnosis?

Parkinson’s usually begins between the ages of fifty and sixty-five with an average age of onset of sixty years. In fact, 5 to 10 percent of people with Parkinson’s develop symptoms before the age of forty; this is called Young Onset Parkinson’s.

How many Canadians have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s?

According to statistics, there are nearly 100,000 people living with Parkinson’s in Canada. This number is expected to double by the year 2016 as Baby Boomers age.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptoms are tremors, slowness, stiffness, impaired balance, rigidity of muscles, fatigue, soft speech, problems with handwriting, stooped posture, constipation and sleep disturbances.

What can help manage the symptoms?

Medications, exercise, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy can help manage the symptoms.

Can brain surgery cure Parkinson’s?

Surgery can ease some of the symptoms associated with the disorder, but cannot stop its progression.

How is Parkinson’s diagnosed?

There is no single test, such as a blood test, to determine whether a person has the disease. The family doctor should make a referral to a neurologist, preferably one who specializes in movement disorders.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month; what should we be aware of?

Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum. It’s as common in women as it is in men. In 2012, an estimated 23,300 Canadians were diagnosed with colorectal cancer.  Overall, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in men and women combined in Canada.
Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors

·       People age 50 and older

·       People who smoke

·       People who are overweight or obese, especially those who carry fat around their waists

·       People who aren’t physically active

·       People who drink alcohol in excess, especially men

·       People who eat a lot of red meat (such as beef, pork or lamb) or processed meat (such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs or cold cuts)

·       People with personal or family histories of colorectal cancer or benign (not cancerous) colorectal polyps

·       People with personal histories of inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)

Colorectal Cancer Prevention

·       Be physically active for at least 30 minutes, at least five days a week.

·       Maintain a healthy weight.

·       Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, quit.

·       If you drink alcohol, have no more than one drink a day if you’re a woman or two drinks a day if you’re a man.

·       Eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains to help you get and stay healthy.

·       Eat less red meat and cut out processed meat.

With certain types of screening, this cancer can be prevented by removing polyps (grape-like growths on the wall of the intestine) if detected early, colorectal cancer can be more easily and successfully treated.

February is Heart and Stroke Month; what should you know about Stroke?

Stroke is a brain attack! Stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is cut off and brain cells die or become damaged.  The two main types of stroke are ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Both of these types of stroke result in a lack of blood flow to the brain, where a buildup of blood puts too much pressure on the brain.

Anyone can suffer from a stroke. Although many risk factors for stroke are out of our control, several can be kept in line through proper nutrition and medical care.

Some risk factors for stroke include the following:

· Over age 55  - A family history of stroke - High blood pressure - High cholesterol

· Excessive Alcohol Consumption- Smoking  - Diabetes - Obesity and overweight

· Cardiovascular disease - High Blood - Cholesterol - High Stress

Common symptoms include:

· Dizziness - trouble walking - loss of balance and coordination - Speech problems –Numbness

· Weakness - or paralysis on one side of the body - Blurred, blackened - double vision

·  Sudden severe headache

The good news is something can be done about stroke as it is one of the most preventable and treatable of all life threatening health problems. You can reduce your risk for a stroke by: having your blood pressure checked regularly by a health care professional, quitting smoking, reducing your weight if you are overweight, reducing your fat and salt intake, eating more grains, fruits and vegetables, and be physically active.

Within a few minutes of having a stroke, brain cells begin to die and symptoms can become present. It is important to recognize symptoms, as prompt treatment is crucial to recovery.  Major advances have occurred in stroke care over the past decade and we now have a number of highly effective treatments for stroke and programs to prevent stroke.

January is Alzheimer Awareness Month in Canada; what should we be aware of?

After reading many news releases related to January being Alzheimer Awareness Month in Canada, the message that I see being consistently put out there is for people experiencing signs of dementia, is to be diagnosed as early as possible. An early diagnosis is hugely important as it enables people with dementia to understand their condition and access treatments that could help relieve their symptoms.

After the age of 65 the risk factor of developing dementia increases by 50 percent every five years.To date, there are many forms of dementia, with Alzheimer’s being the most common. Forgetfulness is the most known symptom of dementia, though this alone should not be cause for concern.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and degenerative disease and the most common early symptoms are:

—Frequent memory loss affecting day-to-day function, such as continually forgetting where you put things or what you were doing or why you were doing it.

—Disorientation of time and place, including getting lost even in familiar places or not knowing what month or year it is.

—Changes in personality or acting out of character, such as becoming suspicious, fearful or confused.

 It is important to see a doctor when you notice any of these symptoms as they may be due to other conditions such as depression, drug interactions or an infection. If the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, your medical professionals and or your local Alzheimer Society can help.

If you or someone you know is experiencing problems with memory loss, make an appointment to see your doctor right away. Many visits to your Doctor are short and it may be difficult to think of all the things you want to ask or present. To help you prepare for you Doctors visit you may download a checklist by going to The Alzheimer Society of Canada link below.

http://www.alzheimer.ca/en/About-dementia/Diagnosis/Getting-a-diagnosis/Doctor-s-visits

How do I survive the Holidays if I have Diabetes?

The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year and “tis the season for social eating”. Tempting treats are everywhere. If you have diabetes, you know that the holidays can be an especially tricky time of year to manage.

With some careful planning and smart choices you can make sure that your holidays are both happy and healthy. Now that the season is upon us, here is a simple recipe you can follow to manage your diabetes:

• Have a healthy snack before going to a social event so you don't give in to cravings.
• Fill your plate will healthy things like fruits and veggies. Holiday favorites like pumpkin and turkey are also nutritious and delicious!
• Share a dessert, have only a small amount, or skip the whipped-cream topping.
• Bring a low-fat or sugar-free dish at the next holiday party you attend.
• Make your traditional holiday foods healthier. When baking, use less sugar in a recipe and increase the use of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and other sweet-tasting spices and flavorings.
• Use sugar substitutes to cut carbs and calories
• When you're out shopping, bring along healthy snacks like apples, carrot sticks, or nuts and avoid the food court.

Enjoy Yourself!
You don't have to let diabetes spoil your celebrations. Get caught up in the festivities. Savor time with loved ones. Remember that a little bit of self-control can help make sure that there are many more happy holidays to come for diabetics and their families.

Can Falls be Prevented in our Senior Population?

Falls are the leading cause of injury hospital admissions for seniors in Alberta, as one in three seniors living in the community and over 40% of those living in supportive living experience a fall each year.

While it is recognized that the prevalence of falls increases as we age, it has been well researched that the incidence of accidental falls in the elderly can be prevented. 

At our Retirement Residence we attempt to reduce accidental falls by:

ü      Supporting independence with all activities of daily living, as well as encouraging daily exercise and ambulation within our Home area

ü      We assess the appropriateness of using one bed rail and arrange that the environment is obstacle free

ü      Establish easy access to lighting at night, use night lights and or keep the light on in the bathroom

ü      We frequently monitor the resident and observe that proper footwear is worn before getting up

ü      Shoes should be closed at the toe and heal with a not too smooth or not to chunky sole

ü      We remind our Residents to keep their functional and sensory aids within reach and to avoid fast movements including quick turns or changes in position

ü      We consult with our Health Professional partners on medical and pharmacological management if required

The Alberta “Finding Balance” campaign advocates four specific strategies for Alberta seniors to use in preventing falls.

ü      Check your medication – have a doctor or pharmacist check your medications every year

ü      Keep active – do a half hour of physical activity every day

ü      Watch your step – clear debris from your path, wear supportive shoes, take extra time on ice, and use the hand railings on stairs

ü      Speak up about dizziness – let your health professional know if you are feeling dizzy, and take steps to manage dizziness

Always take care of yourselves with healthy eating, staying active, and learning about the effects of your medications. By doing this you can reduce hospital visits and prevent falling injuries.

What is “the flu” (influenza) and why seniors should receive “the flu shot” (Influenza vaccine) yearly each fall.

Influenza is a respiratory infection caused by influenza A and B viruses. In Canada it generally occurs each year in the late fall and winter months.

Influenza viruses change from year to year. When influenza viruses change, so do the vaccines. The World Health Organization identifies the strains of influenza that are expected to circulate every year. This information is used to develop a vaccine to protect against these strains. The immunity you get from your vaccine decreases over time, which means you need to get immunized every year to stay protected (even if you've been immunized against the same strain before).

Symptoms typically include the sudden onset of headache, chills, cough, fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, running nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur, especially in children and or seniors

Most people will recover from the flu within a week or ten days, but some - including those 65 years of age and older and adults and children with chronic conditions - are at greater risk of more severe complications, such as pneumonia.

The immune system weakens with age leaving older adults more vulnerable to severe disease when they get sick, including influenza, making vaccination critical for this age group. The Influenza vaccination is the best way to help protect against this potentially deadly disease.

If you’re 65 years or older, getting a flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and those around you from the flu.

Get Your Flu Vaccine. Not the Flu.

What does retirement home living have to offer a senior who is thinking about making a move?

Many seniors feel that if and when they decide to move into a retirement home, they would have to give up their present lifestyle and one’s self. Of course, you may want to give up some of your daily or weekly chores of cooking and cleaning, but a reputable retirement home will encourage you to remain yourself, involved in what interests you; surrounded by your family and friends. They would understand how important it is for you to live independently, just as you please, in the privacy of your own suite; your home.  Social activities and supportive services should be developed around your needs and choices, that respect your individuality and be supported by engaging and caring staff.

A retirement home that provides supportive living care services will have a regulated nurse, such as a registered or licensed nurse, who takes on the responsibility of being actively involved with developing foundational and regulatory systems that promotes safety. When requested they should be available to work individuality with you, your family and or your community of health professionals to coordinate services that may be required for you to live safely in your suite.

You have many retirement homes to choose from, visit them all, know what your needs and wants are and explore all to see whether the retirement home you are considering can meet your requirements and standards.

Are retirement home employees aware of the many disease processes that affect their senior population?

Education and support are ongoing between the health professionals and support staff at our retirement home. This is usually triggered either by the need to assist a Resident and or their family or by taking the opportunity of monthly awareness campaigns. This month is Arthritis Awareness Month and we took this opportunity to present the topic of Arthritis, the methods of prevention, its symptoms, and approaches to living with it. 

Arthritis causes pain and fatigue, which are the symptoms of the disease process. Inflamed, damaged joints are responsible for most of the pain. The energy your body uses to fight back is the source of the fatigue. This can make everyday activities difficult or painful. When joints are damaged, people tend to presume that reducing movement will reduce pain. The fear of pain usually leads to inactivity and loss of strength; this only worsens the situation because strong muscles are needed to support damaged joints.

There are ways that a person with Arthritis can prevent needless pain and have more energy to do what they want or need to do. Maintaining a healthy weight and regular physical activity will improve joint flexibility. We incorporate exercises that are approved by the Arthritis Society in our daily chair exercise classes and support the use of Dr. approved medications and therapies to ease the pain, so that our residents can remain as active and independent as possible.

Why do Retirement Homes ensure that there is a robust social program that offers scheduled exercise, activities, and outings into the Community?

Studies have shown that Seniors who choose to not become involved with others or activities increase their risks for falls, dehydration, and are also more likely to have feelings of being depressed.

It is normal for a person to experience a sense of loss if they lose a loved one or have moved out of their life long home and or away from their friends. Sharing with friends helps multiply the joys and divide the sorrows. The physical health benefits of socializing almost as equal to physical exercise, even though the social activities involve almost no physical exertion. Friendship, love and support are lifelines to be shared. It's never too soon to start building relationships and keep active.

By working with your health professionals, keeping physically active, eating healthy, and maintaining or developing new social connectedness, will assist you in optimizing your health and well-being.

In a Retirement Home setting we all work together to promote health and well-being while our Seniors lead healthy and active lives, while ageing.

Will I have to pay privately for care services when I require assistance, while living in a retirement home setting?

In a retirement home setting your suite is your private home, this enables you to access home care services from Alberta Health Services. You access home care services the same way you would if you were in your own home; referral by a family physician, health professional, family member, or self-referral.

The only time you would choose to pay privately from the retirement home health care staff, would be if you had been advised by home care that a particular service was not able to be provided at the time you require the service. Home care is mostly able to provide scheduled care, whereas the retirement home is able to provide care throughout the full 24 hour period.

Home care is always approached first before any private options are presented.

What information would I have to disclose if or when I decide to move into a retirement home?

There are many standards and laws that govern over any retirement home in Alberta. One of these standards is that a retirement home must follow all applicable laws and legislations to ensure that all resident confidential information that is shared, stored, transferred and or disposed of, is done so in a manner that maintains the residents right to have their personal and health-related information kept private and confidential. These standards were developed to strike a balance between the public’s right to know and the resident’s right to privacy.

Information is only to be collected for the need to provide safe care or services and is to be collected directly from the resident whenever possible. Retirement homes are only to disclose or share information if it is deemed essential to promote safety and or perform their job duties and to only be passed on to those with a need to know bases.

Any other information shared by a resident or family member will be done so if you deem it to be important to know in case of an emergency.

We all have very different comfort levels as to what we want others to know about us. If at any time you feel uncomfortable passing on information when asked, do ask why it is needed and refuse to give it if you feel the information is not needed to be known to promote your safety and or provide a service.

Making the Move into a Retirement Residence & Downsizing

Moving, at any point in your life is overwhelming, whether it is into your first apartment, new home or retirement residence.  The to-do-list can be daunting to say the least, but making the move from a family home into a retirement residence or assisted living facility adds a large emotional aspect.  Most of the time, this move means downsizing from a home to apartment style accommodation.  With this comes the thought of going through years of treasured personal items which, understandably, causes some stress.

Getting rid of these treasured items is an emotional loss for some of us and as with any loss it is important to honour the emotion that goes along with it.  The memories and stories surrounding these items is often more important than the item itself so consider taking the extra time to create a keepsake book of photos and stories to help cherish and remember these memories. 

It is also much easier to part with things if we know they will be used or appreciated by someone else. So research companies in your area who can help you sell, donate or recycle unwanted items.  You will also come across items that you already have a home in mind for, for example items you want your family and friends to enjoy.  Having a contact list ready before hand, will make it easier when or if you need to contact them.

Now you can break the process down into manageable tasks.  I recommend starting by getting rid of the obvious.  Every home has its chipped coffee mugs, collection of flyers, pens that don’t write, duplicate coffee makers and mismatched socks.  Once you have finished this take a thorough look in your closets and drawers to remove clothes that don’t fit, or those you haven’t worn in the past year.  This will help you get started and ease yourself into the process.

Next, consider tackling the areas of the house you use the least.  For example the spare room or garage.  These spaces are less likely to be over-cluttered so you will see faster progress, keeping the momentum going.

Select furnishings, keepsakes and meaningful decorations to move with you.  Be sure to have a clear objective in mind, the best approach is to bring enough to fit the space without overwhelming it.  Make sure you have your new floor plan, a tape measure and some patience.  Begin selecting items that are both functional and familiar.  Make sure to incorporate your favourite paintings, framed photographs, treasured souvenirs, family heirlooms and most cherished personal items.  This will create a comfortable atmosphere that will make your new place feel like home.

The next step is determining items that can be sold, auctioned or donated.  Selling items is a fantastic option because someone else can cherish the item and make their own stories around them.  For items that are not sellable, you can donate them to local charities and people in need.  There are also some organizations that will provide you with tax receipts for your donated items.

Moving into a retirement residence isn’t always easy, but you are not on your own.  There are so many resources to help and people, just like you, who have made the transition that would be happy to share their story.

For more information about local downsizing resources email Suzie Mandziak at smandziak@masterpieceretirement.com.  Suzie is the Lifestyles Manager at Masterpiece River Ridge, a retirement residence in Medicine Hat , Alberta that offers supportive living, assisted living and continuing care.  www.MasterpieceRetirement.com

Tips on Choosing a Retirement Residence

Are you looking for a retirement home for yourself or a loved one? This is an overwhelming, emotional and difficult process for so many of us. Here are some helpful tips to get you started.

Retirement residences, seniors housing, nursing homes, assisted living facilities or independent living communities vary as widely as the different names used to describe them. Each individual building, no matter what it is called, differs from one to another.  In physical construction, location and ambiance to amenities, programs, pricing, services and levels of care provided. 

The key to starting out is to decide what is most important to you or your loved one.  Make a list of what you feel is essential and another list you feel you can be more flexible with.  With this in mind, identify the facilities in and around your preferred location. Do some research, before setting up a tour, to see which ones match your criteria the closest? You can gather information by requesting an information package in the mail, or searching in the internet.

Visiting a retirement residence in person is another critical phase in choosing the best suited residence for you.  Just like buying a new home it is important to consider as many facilities as possible until you find the one that is just right.

For each tour:

-  Take a list of your criteria along with any questions you may have.  Having the list will ensure you get the most out of these tours and address all of your questions at each building. Don’t hesitate to keep notes from each tour to compare during your evaluation. 

-  Take notice of the small things. For example: How long did you wait before you were greeted? Were the employees friendly and hospitable? Was the building clean and well maintained (even in areas off the “beat and track” like stairwells)? Did your tour guide ask about your personal wants and needs? Were they helpful and patient explaining all of the details to you?

- Talk to as many people as possible including staff, residents, families and friends. A few simple conversations will offer you other perspectives and give you a better overall feeling for the residence.

- You can request a list of referrals from the facility; these are typically residents or family members that you can contact directly at your convenience. 

-  Even if you or your loved one doesn’t require medical assistance now, take the time to ask how it’s provided if required down the road. 

-  Some retirement communities offer different levels of care within the building. If you are touring a community with nursing facilities, ask to see these areas and find out how people are assessed and moved from one area to another.

-  In most seniors living environments at least one meal a day is provided, so it’s a good idea to sample the food at least once and important it is enjoyable. Book your tour to include a lunch if you can, but plan to visit your short-listed homes again for dinner.

-  Some retirement homes offer potential residents a trial stay lasting anywhere from one night to a few days in a fully furnished suite. This is a fantastic opportunity to take part in the buildings activity program and get to know the staff and residents better.

Once you have seen all of the buildings from your list, refer back to your original criteria to start your evaluation. Eliminate facilities that don’t meet your needs and schedule follow up meetings, tours and meals at those remaining on the list. Make sure to try and visit at different times throughout the day to meet different staff members and see the different activity levels throughout the day.

Remember, it isn’t always about which building has the biggest suite or the best amenities, the most important factor is that you or your loved one feels welcome and at home.

Suzie Mandziak is the Lifestyles Manager at Masterpiece River Ridge, a Retirement Residence in Medicine Hat, Alberta that offers supportive living, assisted living and continuing care. For more information about Masterpiece River Ridge visit www.masterpieceretirement.com.