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Ready to Help Your Senior Loved One? We’re Here for You

Curious about how you can best empower your senior loved ones to remain active and social? Looking for senior companionship services, help with personal care, assistance with medication or healthy meals, transportation and so much more.

If you have any questions about caring for the older adult in your life, don’t hesitate to reach out to Luxcare, we’d be happy to be your sounding board, share our experiences, and talk over any questions or concerns you may have about any aspect of providing care for your aging loved ones.

Our caregivers are trained and bonded, insured and can help your family shoulder some of the responsibility of caring for an aging loved one. We help provide seniors with a higher quality of life, while also offering respite and peace of mind for a family caregiver who might need some support. Our companions help stimulate our clients physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, empowering them to live an active, independent, and enriched lifestyle.

We don’t call it work; we call it friendship. Our caregivers are eager and enthusiastic to help seniors enjoy life to the fullest.

Have any questions about our services? Want to get in touch? Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 250 590-1689 or reach out online at: info@luxcarelifestyle.com

How to talk to elderly people

Before you pick a topic, it is good to master the art of communication with the seniors. There are a few things you need to remember so you can keep them happily engaged throughout the conversation.

Give them your full attention and be patient with them in case they can’t speak at a faster pace. Do not interrupt them because they like to speak freely and from their hearts. And in the course of the conversation, avoid jumping from one topic to another as this might get them confused.

Focus on one topic and discuss it exhaustively before you jump to any other discussion topics. Also, try to avoid open-ended queries, especially if the elderly person is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Another thing to remember is to choose the right environment for your discussion. It shouldn’t be in a noisy place with competing sounds of TV or radio. Lastly, remember to accept differences in opinion and learn to compromise whenever a decision has to be made.

BC Day is when residents celebrate their local heritage.

B C mountains, lakes, islands, rainforests, beautiful stretches of coastline, picturesque cities, attractive towns, and world-class skiing make it one of the most popular destinations in Canada.

BC has amazing people

What do 90-somethings think. Here’s what I learned about how to live a happy, regret-free life

My kernel of new insight launched me into a rapt curiosity about the internal lives of elderly people. I needed to know: What is life like for 90-year-olds? Do they still have vocational ambitions? Do they still crave love, sex and intimacy? What are their greatest fears, hopes and thoughts on aging? What do they regret most in life?

According to my 90-something interviewees, the secret to happy and regret-free life is to savor every second you spend with the people you love. the elders I met still laugh like crazy, fall madly in love and fiercely pursue happiness.

The Healing Power of Pets for Seniors

Animals can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase social interaction and physical activity. Pets provide other intangibles, too. “Dogs and cats live very much in the present,” says Dr. Jay P. Granat, “They don’t worry about tomorrow, which can be a very scary concept for an older person. An animal embodies that sense of here and now, and it tends to rub off on people.”

Pets can also have an astounding effect on symptoms of depression and feelings of loneliness. “Older pet owners have often told us how incredibly barren and lonely their lives were without their pets’ companionship, even when there were some downsides to owning an active pet,” says Linda Anderson, who founded the Angel Animals Network in Minneapolis with her husband, Allen, to spread awareness of the benefits of pet ownership.

Stay away from drinks containing alcohol or caffeine

https://www.aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/tips-to-avoid-heat-stroke

Heat and Elderly People: 7 Easy Tips to Avoid Heatstroke and Heat Exhaustion

Aging in Place: Growing Older at Home

Planning ahead is hard because you never know how your needs might change. The first step is to think about the kinds of help you might want in the near future. Maybe you live alone, so there is no one living in your home who is available to help you. Maybe you don’t need help right now, but you live with a spouse or family member who does. Everyone has a different situation.

One way to begin planning is to look at any illnesses, like diabetes or emphysema, that you or your spouse might have. Talk with your doctor about how these health problems could make it hard for someone to get around or take care of him- or herself in the future.

For more information CALL –

LUXCARE 250 590-1689 – 1 888 218 1894

Out for a walk...what to bring?

Cane
Walker
Wheelchairs
Mobility Scooters.
Water
Your cell phone
a hat
eyewear
Sunscreen
Sweater

Stay safe while walking

Choose a familiar route that is flat and free of obstacles.
Consider the surface you’ll be walking on. A smooth, soft surface that’s free of debris will put less strain on your joints and feet.
Wear supportive footwear – wear low-heeled footwear with non-skid soles.
Avoid rushing – rushing increases your risk of falling. Take you time.
Walk with friends or a walking club.
Stop or take a break if you feel any pain during your walk.

Common Myths About Aging

Older people contribute little to society.
With years of personal skills and professional expertise, older adults are highly valued employees, colleagues and volunteers. Senior Corps has more than 200,000 volunteers age 55 and older who contribute to their communities by tutoring, helping small businesses, assisting in placing foster children, providing fellow seniors who are homebound with companionship and help with daily tasks, and participating in other valuable endeavours. Older workers have a strong work ethic and are great mentors and models for younger generations.

Older people can’t make good decisions about important issues.
Age brings wisdom. Cognitive skills are based on a lifetime of experience and education. Shared decision-making—whether about a medical choice, financial decision or anything else related to an older person—should involve that person as long as they are still competent. Participation by everyone will improve outcomes.

Mental and physical deterioration are inevitable in old age.
There is a certain amount of loss of function as we age, but much can be done to prevent (or at least slow down) the physical and mental aging processes. Stem cells lose some of their potential and other cells weaken, but healthful habits hinder the process. Weightlifting helps retain muscle and bone integrity. Aerobic exercise and diet lessen the chances for physical and mental deterioration. Exercising the brain and continuously learning help to fight cognitive decline. Too much sedentary time spent watching TV is detrimental at any age but is particularly unhealthy for older adults, who often see their generation stereotyped in programming as feeble, forgetful, cranky and confused. Remember, what you think will happen, happens.

As you age, you get more set in your ways.
Older people tend to have high levels of mental resilience. The older generation’s ability to accept and rebound from adversity has been demonstrated many times. For instance, Outward Bound was founded when the owner of a British merchant shipping line noted that the survival rates among older sailors during World War II were much higher than those of younger sailors. The intergenerational program strove to pass on skills that seasoned sailors possessed, such as self-confidence, self-sufficiency, selflessness and a general attitude of toughness, to younger generations of seamen.

How is my Luxcare caregiver chosen for me?

During the initial conversation and the in-home visit, the Community Care Director will document the services required and clearly understand your needs and sensitivities. Then, we select the best caregiver fit for you. We strive to ensure that everyone agrees and understands what services are to be provided. We assist seniors and their families with important decisions through life’s transitions, and carefully match our caregivers to you or your family member and for their specific needs and interests. All our services are one-on-one with the caregiver and client and we keep the same team in place always.

Music Therapy - End of Life

https://www.storiesforcaregivers.com/how-we-die-the-last-note-11-11/

Music therapy is not new to the Western world. The ancient Greeks would prescribe notes and tones for various ailments. What is new, is it’s increasing use in today’s palliative hospices. Music therapist Joshua Dennys-Keys has been working as a music therapist in palliative care in Vancouver, BC for three years. He has seen the impact and effectiveness it has in easing the anxiety associated with end-of-life. For Michael Ferguson, witnessing his mother Maree’s enjoyment of Josh’s work has left a lasting, cherished memory. Working with current patient Eddie Yu, Josh hopes his work reaffirms that music is a universal language.