Name: Big Heart Home Care
Address: 2982 Cliffrose Crescent, Coquitlam, BC, V3E 2T2, CA
Telephone: 778-788-5578
Price range: $

Jennifer

03/Jun/2023

It’s normal for people to experience some foot problems as they age. But experts say that problems with feet can be the first sign of more serious medical conditions, particularly among older adults. Health problems, such as arthritis, diabetes, nerve issues, and circulatory disorders, may first be manifested in the feet. That is why it is important to pay attention to your feet and seek medical attention as soon as you notice a problem. Big Hearts Homecare provides foot care for seniors in Vancouver.

Healthy feet play an important role in overall good health and wellness. We help our clients achieve optimal foot health with preventative care, ongoing assessment and treatment from our professional staff. Our Foot Care services are provided by nurses with specialized education. There many benefits of Foot Care include:

Control of fungal infections
Improved skin integrity and fewer cracks
Improved comfort, mobility and balance
Early detection of serious health problems

Here are some foot care tips for older adults:

Practice good foot care. Check your feet regularly or have a member of your family check them for you.
Keep blood circulating to your feet as much as possible. Do this by putting your feet up when you are sitting or lying down, stretching if you’ve had to sit for a long while, walking, having a gentle foot massage, or taking a warm foot bath.
Wear comfortable shoes that fit well to prevent pressures that can lead to friction and infection and keep your foot structure properly aligned.
Avoid exposing your feet to cold temperatures.
Don’t sit for long periods of time (especially with your legs crossed).
Don’t smoke because it decreases blood supply and increases the chance of swelling and other circulatory problems.

Contact Big Hearts Homecare today by calling us at 778-788-5578 or emailing us at info@bigheartshomecare.ca

Jennifer

03/Jun/2023

As we age, certain everyday activities become difficult. We may not be able to perform easy tasks such as cooking, cleaning and even bathing.

Safety also becomes a concern as we get older. Besides forgetting to take our daily cocktail of medications, we may have trouble getting out of bed, or we could slip and fall and become severely injured.

If you or your loved one needs everyday assistance, you have many care options available. Do you hire a home care worker or do you opt for a residency in a long term care centre? Are home care service companies in Vancouver going to deliver you the quality of care you need?

Pros of using home care:

Caretakers and nurses come to you on a daily basis to assist with everything from bathing to cooking, cleaning, buying groceries and taking you to doctor’s appointments.
You don’t have to leave the home you’ve been living in for many years.
If you’re someone who prefers to keep to themselves, a long term care facility may be very overwhelming, while home care allows you to only interact with your assigned caretakers.
Your family can come over at any time.
You can maintain your independence. Elder home care services have become popular for this reason.

Cons of using home care:

You may have to retrofit your home with ramps, railings and chairlifts, which can become costly. If you don’t revamp your home you may have portions of it that remain unused like a basement or second and third floors.
In-home care is often more expensive than long term care, however government assistance can help relieve that financial burden.
If you’re a social person, you will not have the company of other people your age that you would find in a senior long term care centre.
Your home caregiver may have to move into your home as you get older and become less mobile, in which case you’ll be paying the same prices as you would to live in a residence.

Pros of long term residential care:

You are provided with room and board and do not have to worry about making your own meals.
Medical and non-medical care is available 24/7.
If you are married, your spouse/partner can come with you.
Most senior care facilities offer activities and field trips so you are not confined to your room.
Staff can take care of making your bed, ensuring you take your medication and cleaning your room.

Cons of long term residential care:

You are essentially paying rent to live in a long term care facility, which some seniors cannot afford.
Although most residences have all-day visiting hours, the location of the care centre may be far away from where your family lives and they will not come visit often.
Some people find it hard to adapt to their new surroundings and have trouble dealing with the hustle and bustle of a care centre.
Due to dietary restrictions of many of the residents, meals may be bland. Plus, you are not cooking your own meals leaving you with no control over the menu. For this reason, home care assistance companies and senior care agencies in Vancouver can offer higher quality and personalized services.

If you’re looking to make a choice for yourself or your elderly family members, contact us today. We’ll help you choose the best option for your loved one.

(Source article here)

Jennifer

03/Jun/2023

Alzheimer’s disease causes brain cells to die, so the brain works less well over time. This changes how a person acts. Big Hearts Home Care can help you deal with your loved one’s condition and here we provide you with suggestions on coping with Alzheimer’s disease.

Common Changes in Personality and Behaviour

Common personality and behaviour changes you may see include:

– Getting upset, worried, and angry easily
– Acting depressed or not interested in things
– Hiding things or believing other people are hiding things
– Imagining things that aren’t there
– Wandering away from home
– Pacing a lot
– Showing unusual sexual behaviour
– Hitting you or other people
– Misunderstanding what he or she sees or hears

You also may notice that the person stops caring about how he or she looks, stops bathing, and wants to wear the same clothes every day.

Other Factors That Can Affect Behaviour

In addition to changes in the brain, other things may affect how people with Alzheimer’s behave:

– Feelings such as sadness, fear, stress, confusion, or anxiety
– Health-related problems, including illness, pain, new medications, or lack of sleep
– Other physical issues like infections, constipation, hunger or thirst, or problems seeing or hearing

Other problems in their surroundings may affect behaviour for a person with Alzheimer’s disease. Too much noise, such as TV, radio, or many people talking at once can cause frustration and confusion. Stepping from one type of flooring to another or the way the floor looks may make the person think he or she needs to take a step down. Mirrors may make them think that a mirror image is another person in the room.

If you don’t know what is causing the problem, call the doctor. It could be caused by a physical or medical issue.

Other Tips

Caregivers cannot stop Alzheimer’s-related changes in personality and behaviour, but they can learn to cope with them. Here are some tips:

– Keep things simple. Ask or say one thing at a time.
– Have a daily routine, so the person knows when certain things will happen.
– Reassure the person that he or she is safe and you are there to help.
– Focus on his or her feelings rather than words. For example, say, “You seem worried.”
– Don’t argue or try to reason with the person.
– Try not to show your frustration or anger. If you get upset, take deep breaths and count to 10. If it’s safe, leave the room for a few minutes.
– Use humour when you can.
– Give people who pace a lot a safe place to walk. Provide comfortable, sturdy shoes. Give them light snacks to eat as they walk, so they don’t lose too much weight, and make sure they have enough to drink.
– Try using music, singing, or dancing to distract the person.
– Ask for help. For instance, say, “Let’s set the table” or “I need help folding the clothes.”

Talk with the person’s doctor about problems like hitting, biting, depression, or hallucinations. Medications are available to treat some behavioural symptoms.

(Adapted this article from,
<https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/managing-personality-and-behavior-changes-alzheimers> )

Foot Care for Vancouver Seniors

Pros and Cons of Home Care

Tips on Dealing With Alzheimer’s

Common Changes in Personality and Behaviour

Other Factors That Can Affect Behaviour

Other Tips

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