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Pets offer us many benefits as we age – companionship, exercise, and the delight that comes from taking care of another living thing. Though there isn’t extensive research on the direct correlation between pets and human health, it is undoubted that the little creatures can promote senior people’s wellbeing and quality of life.

Having a pet can surely lower your level of anxiety, and lessen depression and feelings of isolation (Senior Isolation). Choosing a pet that matches your energy level and lifestyle becomes very important in this case.

In today’s topic, we are going to introduce you to a variety of pets – from pets that require a moderate level of energy to keep up with, to mellows pets that suit your laid-back lifestyle. Let’s get started!

Best Pets for Seniors

Dogs

Dogs make excellent lifelong friends for people of all ages, and they’re especially great for those in later years. Most of the best dog breeds for the elderly are those that are low-maintenance, small in size, and require less activity. Here are a few dog breeds recommended for seniors to have:

1. Bichon Frise

As a playful yet affectionate dog, the Bichon Frise has earned its reputation as an excellent all-purpose companion. They are, in genera,l very low maintenance, however they do need to go to the groomer on a regular basis so their fur doesn’t tangle.

Bichons are also known for their gentleness and cuddliness, making them ideal for elderly persons living in apartments and retirement communities.

2. Pug

Who can resist the gaze from a pair of big, innocent, and emotionally expressive eyes? Pugs are one of the most sweet-natured and kindest dogs among all breeds. They are small, loving, and match the energy level of most seniors.

Pugs learn tricks fast and love food, so you never need to worry about wasting too much time training them.

Pugs are also suitable for living in a long-term care home, since they don’t bark a lot, and spend at least half of their day sleeping.

3. Miniature Schnauzer

Miniature Schnauzers are another popular dog breed for seniors. They require less attention, don’t shed much, and don’t need to be constantly groomed.

Given their compact size, they are easy to be carried around, and they make great companions for both seniors and children. So, if your grandchildren constantly visit your place, a miniature schnauzer would be their new best friend.

4. French Bulldog

French bulldogs are the most cheerful dogs among all breeds. They are small, muscular, and active. However, they are easy to handle given their intelligent and understanding nature. They are especially great for seniors who like to dress up their dogs.

As a result, French Bulldogs are excellent companions for elderly people with limited mobility or anyone who simply prefers a slower pace of life.

Cats

If you want a friend who doesn’t need to be walked every day, cats arw a wonderful choice. Cats are more predictable and are generally more happy staying indoors. Also, cats don’t make a lot of noise and require less medication than dogs, meaning they are suitable for anyone who just wants a companion and is not willing to spend much time taking care of their pets.

Different breeds have different personalities; some are independent, while some prefer to stick close to their human. Some need a lot of grooming, while some are relatively low maintenance. Here are three cat breeds that are very welcomed by seniors:

1. Ragdoll Cat

Because of its laid-back characteristics, Ragdolls are an excellent choice for seniors.

Ragdolls are well-known for their friendliness, making them a good option for elderly people who are looking for a pet to get along with their family and caregivers easily.

Note that Ragdolls are larger than common cats, and as a result, may need additional living space and a big litter box. If you have a small and crowded living space, a Ragdoll may not be the best choice.

2. Russian Blue

A good temper, intelligence, and loyalty have made the Russian Blue a popular breed among cat owners. They are suitable for people who prefer low activity since the most they want from a human is companionship. Even though Russian Blues are shy around people, once they build strong ties with their owner, they become very sensitive to the owner’s emotions and feelings.

3. British Shorthair

As one of the oldest recognized cat breeds, British Shorthair cats are very commonly presented as domestic cats in many families. They are very relaxed and independent, and not so active, making them good for seniors and beginners.

British shorthairs are very kind, loyal, and loving. They are independent by nature so don’t worry about sticking with them all the time. The only health problem of British Shorthairs is that they are prone to obesity, so feeding them right and watching their weight becomes very important.

Fish

Most pet fish are extremely low maintenance and don’t require much investment. All you need is a small freshwater aquarium, a filter, an air pump, lighting, and some fish food to have them. Freshwater fish are less expensive and easy to care for than other types of pet fish. Watching your fish can calm you down and improve your mood, meaning it is especially beneficial for people with high blood pressure and heart diseases to keep pet fish. Here are some aquarium fish for beginners to have:

1. Goldfish

Goldfish are very good beginner pet fish to keep since they are very resilient and easy to care for. They eat vegetables, algae, and other foods high in carbohydrates and low in protein. Note that goldfish tend to grow very large so it’s better to purchase a larger tank that has extra space for them to live.

2. Betta Fish

Beta Fish are pretty, small, and very beginner-friendly. Betta fish have very vivid coloration and beautiful fins. Although they don’t require complicated caring procedures, Betta Fish should be kept in high-quality water, so make sure to use a good filter and water conditioner before you put your little fish in there.

Rabbits

If you want a quiet, fluffy little animal to be your companion, get a rabbit! Just like dogs and cats, rabbits can be used for animal therapy, too. Taking care of a pet rabbit can help lower high blood pressure and potentially delay some dementia symptoms. Also, believe it or not, rabbits can bond with humans and can be litter trained. So, if you just moved into a downsized home, but still want to have an animal to build connections with, a rabbit would be a perfect choice. Holland Lops, Rex, and Mini Lops are all small-sized, calm-tempered, and easily cared for rabbits to have as pets.

References:

https://www.thesprucepets.com/best-dog-breeds-for-seniors-4138298

https://www.senioradvisor.com/blog/2015/05/best-pets-for-seniors/

https://www.hepper.com/best-cats-for-seniors/

It’s only one week until Mandy’s mom moves into a long-term care home. Sending her mom to a long-term care community is a huge relief for Mandy, since she is moving to another state with her fiancé. However, it is not without any worry – Mandy’s mom has some physical impairments and Mandy is afraid that caregivers won’t be able to offer the best help exactly when she needs it, so she decided to build an emergency kit for her mom on her own.

Whether you are taking care of an elderly person at home or in a long-term care community, a first aid kit is one of the necessary items that you never want to miss. Seniors are more likely to be injured than younger people, since they may have less strength and flexibility, and a higher risk for fracture. Also, their sight, hearing, smell and taste may have declined, making them more vulnerable to accidents. At the same time, seniors are more susceptible to skin infections and diseases. Aging can make the skin less elastic, thinner, and drier, which makes injuries takes longer for them to heal.

Buying an emergency kit is convenient, but customizing your own emergency kit will be suitable for your loved one in a long run. In that, we are going to provide you with some tips and a checklist of what you can add into your emergency kit. Let’s get started.

Tips for Preparing an Emergency Kit for Your Loved One

1. Assess Your Loved One’s Health Condition

As we mentioned many times in our past blog posts, the premise of meeting your loved one’s needs is to understand their needs. So, the very first thing you should do is ist all the concerns that your loved one may have, and medicine or any other aiding items that can help them cope with their situation.

Consider your loved one’s mobility condition, hearing and vision status, and also ask the doctor if it is necessary to stock up on certain items according to his or her health condition (some doctors are willing to give you extra amounts of some certain medications, but it depends on the disease and the person). Assessing your loved one’s health condition makes it much easier for you to build a perfectly customized emergency kit. Also, if your loved one has memory problems or cognitive issues, it is not too late to add the things that could comfort them.

2. Know the Drug Regulation of the Long-Term Care Home

Building an emergency kit isn’t about bringing whatever you want; there are laws that restrict medications in long term care home, according to the provinces or states. Inproper usage of emergehcy kits, especially medication, can result in serious consequences for the long-term care home, so it is vital to figure what can be added and what should be avoided in a fist aid kid that your loved one will bring to a community. Here is an example list of what is allowed in long-term care homes, according to the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy:

Analgesics, controlled drugs
Anti-Infectives
Anticholinergics
Anticoagulants
Antidiarrheals
Antihistamine Injectables
Antinauseants
Antipsychotics
Anti-Hyperglycemic
Anxiolytics
Cardiac Life Support Medications
Coagulants
Corticosteroids
Hypoglycemics
Seizure Control Medications
Large Volume Parenterals
Poison Control
Respiratory Medications
GI Medications
Other Medications as Approved by the Board

3. Make It As Light As Possible

Moving into a long-term care home is already a big project for most seniors. You don’t want to add extra pressure to your loved one to carry a big heavy box around. So, make a list of necessary items, and get rid of, or just leave the extra items in your loved one’s room. Below, we offer you a checklist of what you can include in an emergency kit.

What You Can Add Into A Customized Emergency Kit

Basic Sanitation and Cleaning

Antiseptic Wipes
Hydrogen Peroxide
Antibiotic Ointment (e.g., Neosporin.)
Aloe Vera (to heal burn)
Hand Sanitizer
Eye Drops

Wound Dressings

Band-Aida
Non-Adhesive Pads
Tape

Medicinal

Personal prescription and over the counter medication
Ibuprofen, Tylenol, aspirin, Benadryl, or other painkillers
Antidiarrheal medication and laxatives
Antacids such as tums.
A printed list of your loved one’s known medical conditions, their prescribed dosage, and allergies.

Essential Tools

Thermometers
Tweezers
Scissors
Fingernail Clippers
Blankets
Medicine Cups or Spoons For Measurements
Cotton Balls and Swabs
Floss
Roll of Duct Tape
Small Plastic Bags

Others

Sunscreen
Insect Repellent
Instant Cold Ice Packs
Items That Accommodate Tour Loved One’s Specific Needs

Takeaway

The above list is only a general guide for your customized first aid kit; what you will actually add to your list depends on what your loved one’s needs. Remember to know your loved one’s needs and list them before your preparation, and ask if the home allows you to bring some medication that you are uncertain about.

Happy prepping!

References:

https://seniorsafetyadvice.com/how-to-build-an-emergency-kit-for-seniors/

https://www.pharmacyboard.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/EmergencyKitsLTC.pdf

In the senior care space, we often rely on communication, connection, teamwork, collaboration. Together, we can change the narrative of long-term care, and help seniors age safely, comfortably, and happily at home.

We are proud to announce that Assisting Hands Home Care – Arlington Heights is launching a new pilot program with CareStory!

Check out their blog post here:
https://lnkd.in/gfmdUuyu

Assisting Hands Home Care is dedicated to delivering professional, personalized home care services while not only meeting the unique needs of each client, but also honoring WHO their clients ARE, and celebrating their life stories. Their services include Senior Care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, Respite Care and Hospice Care. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), in Arlington Heights, Wheeling, Mount Prospect, IL and the surrounding areas.

We are proud to be piloting with such a dynamic team and a company that truly puts passion into care.

A-Guide-To-Reporting-Problems-About-Long-Term-Care-Homes-1200x675.png

Amy’s mom has been complaining to her family that the construction on the LTC is too loud and disrupts her rest. Knowing how sleep deficiency could make her mom anxious, Amy reported it to the administrator of the nursing home right after she got the call from her mom.

The administrator promised Amy that the construction would only take three days to finish, so Amy and her mom kept waiting. However, a week went by, and the nursing home is still filled with the loud noises of hammering and drilling.

Now, Amy wants to escalate the issue.

If this sounds familiar to you, and you are wondering how to file a complaint about a nursing home, CareStory is here to help.

Common Complaints:

Millions of senior citizens receive nursing care in North America every year, and some angry residents have a lot to say. Most of these complaints show that residents and family members believe that the quality of care provided is subpar.

Complaints That Are Frequently Raised:

Poor food quality
Staffing issues
Disruptions to rest and sleep
Abuse and neglect
Unmet resident needs
Quality of care
Worker competency
Lack of cooperation with medical care, etc.

Complaints about nursing homes can be sorted as urgent and non-urgent, which require different steps while being reported.

Urgent Complaints:

According to Ontario.ca, urgent complaints include abuse, neglect, harm, and danger to the residents. For example: physical abuse, financial abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, abandonment, etc.

For urgent cases, the optimal approach would be calling or e-mailing the Long-Term Care Family Support and Action Line. The information in the complaint letter should include:

Name of the home
Address of the home
A description of the event
Persons that were involved
How you would like the home to solve the issue

Once the ministry receives your request, they will assess your report and the event. If the complaint is defined as urgent by the ministry, they will take the next step, which is a formal investigation of the nursing home.

In this article, we will include a template of a complaint letter, Feel free to download it!

Non-Urgent Complaints:

While the line between urgent and non-urgent complaints is vague (since everyone’s reaction and interpretation of an event differs), the official explanation from Ontario.ca of non-urgent complaints are cases related to the less severe cases such as diet, activities, or care.

There are many ways to report non-urgent complaints. The easiest way is to report the issue to the home directly. Also, what you should write in the complaint letter is similar to the information required for urgent complaints, which includes the description of the complaint, and how you expect the nursing home to solve it.

Also, you can still report your issue to the Long-Term Care Family Support and Action Line, just like you would in urgent cases. You can also contact your local long term care ombudsman. The responsibility of a long-term care ombudsman is to aid communication between family members and the long-term care home.

If you are unsure about what to write in a complaint letter, below is a free template for you to download. Remember that you always have the right to protect your loved one,

Sample Complaint Letter:

[Note: This template provides structure and guidance for writing a complaint Letter. Simply replace information in brackets [] with your own information and text.]

[Your Name]

[Street Address]

[City, Zip Code]

[Today’s Date]

[Name of Recipient]

[Title]

[Company]

[City, Zip Code]

Dear [Name of Recipient]:

[Short introduction paragraph – provide the name of the long-term care home you are going to complain about. Include dates, locations, and the conclusion of the event.]

[State the specifics of the event. Describe the persons who got involved, and what consequence the event resulted in.]

[Indicate how you would like them to resolve the problem. Provide the result that you are seeking. This may include reimbursement.]

[Indicate that you are looking forward to their reply within a specific time (choose a reasonable time period). Indicate you will wait for their reply before pursuing other options such as legal counsel or ombudsman’s assistance.]

[Indicate they can contact you about the issue and provide a contact number.]

Sincerely (or Respectfully Yours),

(Sign here for letters sent by mail or fax)

[Typed Name]

Darren retired three years ago and became the primary caregiver to his dad, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He cares for his dad in his home in Austin, Texas, and his two children also help out weekly. Darren is determined to help his dad find the best care possible. However, he is unsatisfied with the quality of care his dad receives. He spends a lot of his time repeatedly telling care staff his father’s care preferences and personal story. Still, it’s hard for care staff to remember all the detailed information he provides while also providing dedicated care.

“Is there any approach to bridge the gap between aging populations, their families, and caregivers so that we all know each other well and can be as supportive as possible?” Darren started looking for better care and better long-term care management technology.

Normal Care and Normal Technology in Long-term Care

An electronic medical record (EMR) is a digital version of all the information you need, such as residents’ information and the specific care, both medical care and daily activity assistance. An EMR system fosters effective communication and coordination among healthcare team members for optimal patient care. However, EMR systems also have their drawbacks —

Here’s a screenshot of an EMR system:

The EMR lists all the tasks that care staff have to perform, as well as who should provide what kind of care to which senior at what time of day.

When care staff access the resident’s documents through the EMR system, they only know residents’ names, demographic information and medical history. Care staff unconsciously influences themselves to view seniors as a bunch of tasks and to-do lists. As a result, there are many cases of medication mix-ups in long-term care homes.

Long-Term Care Culture Change Revolution

Many residents’ family members have uncovered this problem and have raised their concerns to long-term care homes. Apparently, the long-term care industry has identified the common satisfaction issues and is using dissatisfied feedback as the foundation for improvement. Therefore, a culture change in long-term care homes has taken place, moving from an overemphasis on medical issues and safety to a resident-directed, consumer-driven quality of life and health promotion.

Getting to know each resident well and staying in touch with their families closely has become a trend in the long-term care field, and the upsides of this culture change revolution are remarkable. Without focusing on the importance of the relationships between residents and long-term care staff, we cannot make this shift. Actually, culture change is an approach to continuously improving the quality of long- term care in the long run.

Why the Revolution in LTC Management Software is Inevitable

True true, the revolution in the long-term care industry is inevitable. However, so is the revolution in long-term care management systems. Seniors and families start to care more about the quality of the care and look for further and more profound connections between caregivers and seniors. Long-term care homes should make more of an effort in regard to relationship management. Indeed, it’s time to transfer from the EMR system to a more empathetic long-term care management system.

Seniors are more receptive to care from care staff they trust, those who know them better and those who can empathize and resonate. Care staff are more willing to provide quality care to residents they know better. Deep understanding and communication can build a warm relationship between residents and care professionals.

Care with Empathy

In conversations with caregivers in various long-term care homes and at the educational seminar on Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care held by Dementia Care Education, one central idea was brought up several times — Care with Empathy.

In the previous paragraphs, we have discussed why we need to care with empathy and why care with empathy will be the trend in long-term care. Now it’s time to uncover how technology can help care staff and families achieve resident-directed, consumer-driven care for our beloved seniors.

Meeting Booking & Emergency Communication Call Systems

Keeping updated on seniors’ health information is always salient, so care staff and family members should have constant meetings, which therefore raises demands for virtual meetings and booking systems. A premium meeting function could help caregivers and families have more smooth virtual communication and connection, just like face-to-face communication. In addition, the booking system should also include an emergency communication call system, just in case.

For instance, AxisCare is a software that provides leading clients and caregiver communication functions. It allows caregivers to set phone calls with seniors’ family members and have a real-time chat with them.

Innovative Profile Systems

Normal EMR systems only provide basic data of the residents, but now we need more in-depth information on residents. An innovative profile system should provide resident profiles with fact pages, life stories and video messages, so care staff can understand residents better. This would enable them to deliver individualized holistic person-centred care for senior residents. Families could also use smart devices to engage with their residents through the use of smart devices.

The power of family stories and memoirs can be harnessed to increase caregiver empathy and help provide better care for elderly people, according to researchers at the University of British Columbia in Canada. In addition, personal stories can shape our brains and move us to be more empathic and generous, research has shown.

If you would like to try software that can create a life story for your loved one, MemoryWell is a good option to boost seniors, families, and care staff engagement and build more smooth communication through the life stories function!

Personalized Music Playlists

If you want to start caring empathetically, playing personalized music playlists during care is a great place to start. Playing music that seniors are interested in opens avenues of communication. If you want to know how music can calm the elderly, please check our previous music blog post.

Linked Senior is a software that provides music therapy and sing-alongs to engage residents based on their personal experiences.

Want to try another innovative long-term care management system? CareStory is a great choice! Check here to view how CareStory works! The CareStory app allows family members to share background information about the resident. Staff, caregivers, and nurses can share each residents’ unique care preferences. The platform is dynamic and easy to access with an almost zero learning curve. All stakeholders can contribute to residents’ profiles within their own privileges. Want to see the power of caring with empathy? It’s time to try a demo!

Reference:

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_stories_change_brain

When you picture yourself growing old, where do you see yourself? In a long-term care community, or at home?

If you said growing old in the comfort of your own home, you aren’t alone. In fact, according to the study conducted by Campaign Research Inc. on behalf of Home Care Ontario, 91% of Ontario seniors hope to live at home and want to receive home care services as they age, however, only 3% of them intend to move into a long-term care community.

A report published at Morningstar pointed out that around 50% of seniors 65 and older will need long-term care during their lifetime, so who will care for them?

Cognitive decline is a common symptom of aging in the elderly. As seniors get older, they often become more sensitive, isolate themselves from others and show agitation. These actions strengthen the idea that they need more tailored professional medical services and emotional support. The best way to calm the elderly is to let them feel that you are on their side, and CareStory can help caregivers achieve that. All caregivers, residents, and families are connected, with detailed information about our loved seniors available at their fingertips. Therefore, caregivers can form deep connections with the seniors, promoting empathy, and providing them with more tailored services.

Meet with Doug

Take Doug for instance; the grandfather of one of us at CareStory. He was being cared for at home, after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Now, Grandpa Doug was a stubborn man. He took great pride in serving in the Navy for over 35 years, and he knew how to take care of himself. This meant that he didn’t want anyone else to take care of him, ESPECIALLY a stranger. Several health care workers would come and go, and he would rarely cooperate. One day, by chance, a nurse brought up the Navy, and Grandpa Doug would not shut up about it. The nurse listened intently and asked questions for further discussion. “That’s incredible Doug. I’m just going to clean this wound for you to make you a bit more comfortable. So when you saw that whale when you came out of that underwater cave, what did you do next? Did you freeze?” Grandpa Doug was content and honoured that someone took the time to ask about memories that he held close.

Everyone will become elderly at some point, and everyone wants to be loved and taken care of. There is so much more we can do for the elderly, by understanding them, and being with them. Get to know your residents today.

REFERENCES:
Cision
Morningstar
American Psychological Association
Griswold Home Care

Do you often spend time thinking about the future, or reminiscing on the past? If your answer is yes, then, unfortunately, you probably squandered tons of precious seconds being in the present moment. The good news is: you are not alone.

We often let the present moment slip away since we spend too much time worrying about the future or being stuck in the past. “Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.” Yes, this quote may be overused, but it is true. We need to live more in this moment, right now. Here are some tips on how to help you ground yourself and stay in the present.

Stop thinking about your performance.

You may have experienced something similar to this: during the prom, you felt somewhat uncomfortable on the dance floor because you felt like other people were judging your dance moves. You did your best to handle your limbs, but you found out it made you even more awkward. This is a great example of how thinking too hard about what you’re doing actually might actually make you do worse. When you find yourself embarrassed when dancing or giving a presentation, start focusing more on what’s happening around you, such as music, and less on what’s going on in your head.

Relish in what you’re doing at the present moment.

We often compare and contrast so much that we get trapped in a cycle of thoughts of the future or the past. For example, when you sip coffee, you often compare the taste with cups you had before and think that the coffee doesn’t quite compare to the day before. That will probably influence you to worry about the future — will my next cup of coffee taste even worse? The probability that your next cup of coffee will taste even worse is only one in three, but the feeling of the moment is 100%! People experience more happiness and positive feelings when they actively savour something they usually hurry through, such as eating a meal and drinking a cup of tea. That’s because savouring forces you into the present.

Feel free to lose track of the task.

Sometimes we feel that time passes very slowly, and sometimes we feel that time passes very quickly. When we are fully engrossed in what we are doing, we often lose track of everything around us, including time. When you are focused, distractions such as time, scent and even exhaustion cannot penetrate. Therefore, it’s good to keep your attention narrowed and only focus on the task. This is when you may experience your awareness merge with the action you’re performing, and you become totally in control of the situation.

We live in the age of distraction. As professional long-term care staff, we are sometimes unable to move on from the guilt of the past. Just remember, there is only now. Live in the moment!

REFERENCES:
Psychology Today

Here’s an interesting wellness fact we would like to share with you: consuming more vegetables is associated with a lower risk of death! But did you know that our method of cooking vegetables usually drains them of their nutritious value?

Here is a suggested recipe that contains the recommended daily amount of vegetables to keep cancer or heart disease away:

8 whole kale leaves
1 large cucumber
a bunch of parsley
a head of lettuce
1 pear
1 lemon
a large handful of spinach
a piece of ginger.

How would you eat these? Salad? Tea? Snack? Smoothie. Not so easy to consume in one sitting. TRY JUICING! We know that employees in the long-term care industry are extremely busy and have limited time to prepare nutritious meals for themselves. Juicing can offer a perfect balance of nutrition and free time. Juicing is the easiest way to consume a large number of vegetables and fruits in one sitting; just by squeezing all different ingredients together!

In addition, the juice is much more delicious than a single vegetable dish. Furthermore, juicing accelerates the delivery of nutrients to our bloodstream, and turns out to have remarkable advantages on our body and cognitive function.

Our body is able to assimilate nutrients in 15 minutes when you have fresh vegetable and fruit juice, compared to a solid meal that may take over 2 hours! That’s because juicing is able to extract the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, chlorophyll, enzymes and phytochemicals from solid fruits and vegetables to liquid form so our body can absorb these nutrients almost instantly.

Need some tips on juicing? Here we go!

Thoroughly wash all vegetables and fruits before you squeeze them.
Add more vegetables and keep fruit content low. We know fruits taste better than vegetables, but they also contain much more sugar! Try to incorporate cucumber, courgette or lettuce, they are low in sugar, but high in vitamins.
Try to choose organic food to squeeze in order to avoid pesticide exposure.

We just shared our favourite juice recipe with you. Do you have your own exclusive juicing recipe that you find both easy to prepare and healthy? Share with CareStory in the comments…we’d love to hear!

REFERENCES:
Huffpost

Is empathy dead? No. Is it in decline? Quite possibly. Empathy is the backbone of humanity, and quite frankly, is an ESSENTIAL part of long-term care. Leaders, listen up.

Recently, new research conducted by Catalyst found that empathy has significant constructive effects on innovation, engagement, retention, inclusivity, and work-life balance. Take a look at the findings:

61% of employees with empathetic leaders reported they were more innovative compared to only 13% of employees with less empathetic leaders.
76% of employees who experienced empathy from their leaders announced they were more engaged at work compared to 32% of employees who experienced less empathy.
Around 60% of women mentioned they were more likely to stay in the company if they felt respected and valued by their empathetic leaders and executives, versus approximately 20% of women would consider staying even if they didn’t feel respected.
50% of employees with empathetic leaders found their workplace to be inclusive, compared to only 17% of employees who saw inclusivity even with employers demonstrating a lack of empathy.
86% of employees with empathetic leaders reported that they had good work-life balance, compared to 60% of those who had less empathetic leaders.

Here are some tips for leaders to demonstrate empathy:

Take a walk in your employee’s shoes, and more often, ask yourself: “If I were in his/her position, what would I be thinking right now?” Moreover, empathetic leaders should embrace their employees’ voices and listen to their concerns.
Provide more mental health resources. It’s important for leaders to demonstrate what self-care looks like, and encourage employees to do the same.
Learn more about your staff and talk to them! How are their days going? Have they read or watched anything enjoyable recently? What are their concerns? Have they encountered any difficulties recently? Get to know them better so you can better understand what they need!

Are you an empathetic leader? Have you ever experienced an empathetic leader who impressed you a lot? Share your stories with CareStory!

REFERENCES:
Forbes
Catalyst

“Oh ye of little faith.” — A saying Cynthia Drake lived by.

Cynthia was a woman of few words, with a “look” that spoke paragraphs, and a kind, giving essence that made you feel seen, heard, and loved.

In fact, if you ever visited Cynthia and her husband John on their 52-acre farmhouse in Portland, Jamaica, you were fed until you couldn’t move and left with the food you couldn’t carry. Fruits, vegetables, meat, plants—whatever you wanted, it was yours to take.

Cynthia firstly met John at church, where they quickly fell in love. Married in 1953 with just a single gold band, they were the epitome of true love. Every morning they would spend the first hour in bed listening to the radio, talking, and laughing. They would drink coffee on the veranda with crackers and jam, feeding the birds before retiring to the dining room for breakfast. They lived for each other, they loved each other, and although John was the head of the house, she was the neck that made the head turn.

Cynthia’s purpose in life was caring for others. She was a nurse, however, her husband wanted her to be a stay-at-home mother. As much as she honoured and respected her husband, she honoured and respected her purpose more, and sped down the streets of Portland to work every day. She loved and cared for others at work, and came home to love and care for her husband and five children.

Cynthia spends her remaining years in Portland with her husband, tending to the farm and caring for her plants and animals. Restoring faith in those who have lost it, calming their panic with her words: “Oh ye of little faith.”

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Having a pet can surely lower your level of anxiety, and lessen depression and feelings of isolation (Senior Isolation). Choosing a pet that matches your energy level and lifestyle becomes very important in this case.

In today’s topic, we are going to introduce you to a variety of pets – from pets that require a moderate level of energy to keep up with, to mellows pets that suit your laid-back lifestyle. Let’s get started!

Best Pets for Seniors

Dogs

Dogs make excellent lifelong friends for people of all ages, and they’re especially great for those in later years. Most of the best dog breeds for the elderly are those that are low-maintenance, small in size, and require less activity. Here are a few dog breeds recommended for seniors to have:

1. Bichon Frise

As a playful yet affectionate dog, the Bichon Frise has earned its reputation as an excellent all-purpose companion. They are, in genera,l very low maintenance, however they do need to go to the groomer on a regular basis so their fur doesn’t tangle.

Bichons are also known for their gentleness and cuddliness, making them ideal for elderly persons living in apartments and retirement communities.

2. Pug

Who can resist the gaze from a pair of big, innocent, and emotionally expressive eyes? Pugs are one of the most sweet-natured and kindest dogs among all breeds. They are small, loving, and match the energy level of most seniors.

Pugs learn tricks fast and love food, so you never need to worry about wasting too much time training them.

Pugs are also suitable for living in a long-term care home, since they don’t bark a lot, and spend at least half of their day sleeping.

3. Miniature Schnauzer

Miniature Schnauzers are another popular dog breed for seniors. They require less attention, don’t shed much, and don’t need to be constantly groomed.

Given their compact size, they are easy to be carried around, and they make great companions for both seniors and children. So, if your grandchildren constantly visit your place, a miniature schnauzer would be their new best friend.

4. French Bulldog

French bulldogs are the most cheerful dogs among all breeds. They are small, muscular, and active. However, they are easy to handle given their intelligent and understanding nature. They are especially great for seniors who like to dress up their dogs.

As a result, French Bulldogs are excellent companions for elderly people with limited mobility or anyone who simply prefers a slower pace of life.

Cats

Different breeds have different personalities; some are independent, while some prefer to stick close to their human. Some need a lot of grooming, while some are relatively low maintenance. Here are three cat breeds that are very welcomed by seniors:

1. Ragdoll Cat

Because of its laid-back characteristics, Ragdolls are an excellent choice for seniors.

Ragdolls are well-known for their friendliness, making them a good option for elderly people who are looking for a pet to get along with their family and caregivers easily.

Note that Ragdolls are larger than common cats, and as a result, may need additional living space and a big litter box. If you have a small and crowded living space, a Ragdoll may not be the best choice.

2. Russian Blue

3. British Shorthair

As one of the oldest recognized cat breeds, British Shorthair cats are very commonly presented as domestic cats in many families. They are very relaxed and independent, and not so active, making them good for seniors and beginners.

British shorthairs are very kind, loyal, and loving. They are independent by nature so don’t worry about sticking with them all the time. The only health problem of British Shorthairs is that they are prone to obesity, so feeding them right and watching their weight becomes very important.

Fish

1. Goldfish

2. Betta Fish

Rabbits

Buying an emergency kit is convenient, but customizing your own emergency kit will be suitable for your loved one in a long run. In that, we are going to provide you with some tips and a checklist of what you can add into your emergency kit. Let’s get started.

Tips for Preparing an Emergency Kit for Your Loved One

1. Assess Your Loved One’s Health Condition

2. Know the Drug Regulation of the Long-Term Care Home

Analgesics, controlled drugs

Anti-Infectives

Anticholinergics

Anticoagulants

Antidiarrheals

Antihistamine Injectables

Antinauseants

Antipsychotics

Anti-Hyperglycemic

Anxiolytics

Cardiac Life Support Medications

Coagulants

Corticosteroids

Hypoglycemics

Seizure Control Medications

Large Volume Parenterals

Poison Control

Respiratory Medications

GI Medications

Other Medications as Approved by the Board

3. Make It As Light As Possible

What You Can Add Into A Customized Emergency Kit

Basic Sanitation and Cleaning

Antiseptic Wipes

Hydrogen Peroxide

Antibiotic Ointment (e.g., Neosporin.)

Aloe Vera (to heal burn)

Hand Sanitizer

Eye Drops

Wound Dressings

Band-Aida

Non-Adhesive Pads

Tape

Medicinal

Personal prescription and over the counter medication

Ibuprofen, Tylenol, aspirin, Benadryl, or other painkillers

Antidiarrheal medication and laxatives

Antacids such as tums.

A printed list of your loved one’s known medical conditions, their prescribed dosage, and allergies.

Essential Tools

Thermometers

Tweezers

Scissors

Fingernail Clippers