P: 204-949-3234

Your source for the latest news, reviews, and all things caring!

The May Edition | May 9, 2019
Katherine Peters
President & CEO

Message from the President

Greetings friend, and welcome to the May Comfort Connection!
If you are planning to go to the bank in Grenada, prepare to spend 45 minutes to an hour in line! Once you reach the counter, a simple transaction can take up to 15 minutes. Compare this to the usual quick stop and 5 minutes we are used to in Canada.
As long as it takes, even the local people are not okay with the wait. One man was sitting down and getting quite verbal. “NOBODY HERE! ALL I SEE IS SLAMMING DOORS, SLAMMING DOORS, SLAMMING DOORS. NOBODY HERE!” Everyone started laughing. It’s true, the counter he was sitting in front of had no staff people standing at it... but many staff were going out of offices and shutting doors behind them.
If a long line isn’t enough, there are certain people who go to the front of the line. They come in long after you’ve been standing there waiting, and just go to the front and "cut in." I noticed this mostly with older men. Forget about the line, just shuffle your way through the line and stand at the front for the next available teller.
The first, second, and third time this happened to me, I was miffed! "What gives them the right to butt in front of me and not have to wait? That takes nerve!" I thought to myself.
Then I asked the lady in front of me what was going on. I had been waiting over half an hour in a line of about 8 people. Then a man came in from outside, worked his way to the front, and now he was 3 people in front of me! I asked, "Is this a thing? How can he just go to the front of the line like that?"
She explained to me that elderly people are given precedence. In fact, some banks have a separate line just for the elderly so they don’t have to wait. Then I realized, "Oh, so it is a thing!!!!"
Imagine me, a home-care owner whose primary goal is to take care of seniors, and treat them with dignity and respect. This was like a slap in the face! Of course I would give up my seat for a senior! That seems easier than giving up my place in line. But good for Grenada: they got it right. They make it "a thing" to give precedence to their elderly people and give them the first place in a long line at the bank!
How can we seek more ways to honour our elderly? What are some ways we can serve those who have served us so well? We can give up our seats, hold doors open, carry a walker down some stairs, and yes, even give up our place in line!
Blessings, 

Katherine Peters
President & CEO

Comforts of Home – Care 

Caring for a Loved One with Dementia

When Monica* was moved to a retirement home because of her late-stage dementia and anxiety, her loved ones wanted to make sure she was as comfortable and happy as possible. They hired Comforts of Home – Care to provide caring companionship for Monica.
Monica’s caregiver brought joy to her life, chatting with her and keeping her happy! Her caregiver encouraged Monica to sing, dance, and even participate in karaoke. 
Monica loved music especially, so her caregiver made a point of taking her to musical activities at every opportunity. She wheeled Monica around in her wheelchair and they built a wonderful rapport over their sessions together.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be challenging, but there is hope! When you hire a caring companion, you can rest assured that your loved one will be in the best hands.
*Name has been changed

Click here to learn more about home-care services 

Recipe of the Month: Green Veggie Rice Bowl with Chicken

How about a meal-in-a-bowl this spring?
Featuring a lemon-tahini dressing, this tasty, healthy recipe is a filling dish to enjoy for lunch or dinner. And it'll take you just 30 minutes to whip up!

Click here for the recipe

Video: 96-Year-Old Dancing Nana

Some inspiration for your week...
A grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of 3, nothing can keep this 96-year-old off the dance floor!

Click here to watch the video now

10 Early Signs of Alzheimer's

One way you can help seniors in your life is to be aware of the early signs of Alzheimer's. Read on to learn what to watch for...
Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer's or other dementia. Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms. If you notice any of them, don't ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor.
1) Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stage, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events, asking for the same information over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later. 
2) Challenges in planning or solving problems.
Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.

What's a typical age-related change? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.
3) Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.
People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

What's a typical age-related change? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show. 
4) Confusion with time or place.
People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.

What's a typical age-related change? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

Click here to continue reading

Joke of the Month

You know how important exercise is, as we grow older. Here are a few suggestions:
I start by standing outside behind the house and, with a five-pound potato sack in each hand, extend my arms straight out to my sides and hold them there as long as I can.
After a few weeks, I moved up to 10-pound potato sacks, then 50-pound potato sacks, and finally I got to where I could lift a 100-pound potato sack in each hand and hold my arms straight out for more than a full minute. 
Next, I started putting a few potatoes IN the sacks... but I would caution you not to overdo it at this level! 
Comforts of Home - Care
P: 204.949.3234 | F: 204.949.9049 | E: info@cohcinc.com | W: ComfortsOfHomeCare.ca
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
powered by emma
Subscribe to our email list.