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“Never pick a fight with the ocean. The ocean will always win.”

Doug Hughes loved to cook; his dream was to be a chef in the Navy. When he turned 18, young Doug waited in line for what seemed like hours to apply to be a chef at the Navy Recruit Centre. But when he got to the front, he realized it was a line for deep-sea divers. Doug looked to his right and saw the line for chefs. It was even longer. So—this is the story of Doug Hughes, a deep-sea diver for over 35 years.

In 1971, Doug left Nova Scotia and moved to Toronto, starting work with the Toronto Bomb Squad Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) and becoming a member of the Experimental Diving Unit. This is where he developed and worked with the hyperbaric chamber to provide treatments for gangrene and diving ailments such as decompression sickness, or in other words, the bends. Yes, he was, for lack of a better word, a guinea pig who voluntarily got the bends hundreds of times to ensure that the hyperbaric chamber provided adequate oxygen therapy treatment.

As the years went on, Doug felt that although he was friends with the sea, he wanted to be acquainted with the sky, too. He went in for a physical, one of the requirements before becoming a pilot, and they found a large tumor behind his heart. If it wasn’t for his physical, he would have been dead in six months. After open-heart surgery and three months of recovery, Doug was back at sea with a clean bill of health.

Back at sea

He returned to the Maritimes in 1975, and was coxswain of the HMCS Cormorant from 1981-1986. One day, while the McKay Bridge was being built, Doug and several other divers were using a large vacuum to remove boulders from the ocean floor. Tragically, before his own eyes, one of his friends got caught in the current and was killed after the strength of the vacuum disfigured and dismantled his body. From then, also battling extensive arthritis, he became chief instructor at the Fleet Diving Unit training school and remained in the FDU(A) until his retirement.

Doug spent his remaining years with his wife Vi on a lake in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia where they raised their five children. Water, as he said, a friend and foe, surrounded him always.

Leaving you with his favorite saying;

“See you on the bottom!”

We are in the caregiving industry, and we know that, at times, negative emotions and feelings can surround us. Burnout, depression, and anxiety—yes, we are experiencing them. When does it end? It’s always a good idea to make hay while the sun shines. Start promoting mental health today and prevent long-term mental illness, with a few small changes.

Do some self-care activities every day!

Lots of people only have self-care activities during weekends. For example, going to the spa, getting a massage, acupuncture, etc. These activities often consume a whole day and sometimes even cost half a paycheck. However, it’s better to actually have daily self-care activities instead of waiting for a day off to “treat yourself.” You can take a 5-minute daily meditation, you can have a daily 15-20 minute video call with your close friends, you can read books and take bubble baths, etc. You can also do any activity you really enjoy! Give yourself at least a few minutes every day to regulate emotions and revel in something restorative :)!

Commit to healthy eating habits!

An article published at Harvard Health Publishing mentioned that eating high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants can protect our brains from oxidative stress. We understand that sometimes you are too busy to prepare a healthy meal from scratch for yourself and consume junk food. Try meal-prepping! You can cook several healthy meals with fresh veggies, whole grains and lean protein and store them in your refrigerator. So next time you’re in a pinch, you can just take out a meal, microwave it, and off you go!

Take breaks when you’re exhausted!

Breaks are crucial to preventing burnout. We know that when you’re so busy working on your tasks, stepping outside for a fifteen-minute break and getting some fresh air seems impossible, but you have to do it! Trust us, you need to release your accrued tension when you feel too overwhelmed since breaks can help you become more focused and energized. But if you continue to work when you are exhausted, you will only become less efficient, and that will take you even longer to finish your tasks. If you work with your team, please ensure that everyone can take breaks every 3-4 hours. Cover for each other while they’re on break.

Ignoring your stress is the least effective way to cope with your health issues! Let’s face mental health issues proactively together! Take our advice—we care about you a lot, and we want you to care about yourself as well!

REFERENCES:
RNnetwork
Gebaur Company
Harvard Health Publishing

The New Normal

Since the pandemic, we have been relying more and more on technology, therefore changing our day-to-day routines. Change, while scary, can also be good, and as a result, be exactly what we need.

When introducing new technology into any long-term care community, certainly, there are going to be some challenges. On the other hand, once you get the hang of it, there is no going back. In many ways, incorporating technology in senior living has become the new normal. Let’s take a look at four popular trends we have seen in caregiving technology since early 2020.

Interactive Platforms

Firstly, let’s discuss Interactive Platforms.

As professionals in senior living, we collect a lot of data. This data can consist of seniors’ personal information, health records, medications, and physical examination reports, for instance. Interactive platforms store and organize data for you, and as a result, can improve care management efficiency!

Voice-Enabled Interfaces

Let’s move on to Voice-Enabled Interfaces.

“Hi, Siri!” “OK, Google!” Sound familiar? These devices can comprehend, interpret, and even anticipate our needs. Yes, we said anticipate. Creepy? Definitely. Convenient? Definitely. Seniors need the convenience of speech recognition technology just as much as we do. According to a report published by Orlov’s Aging and Health Technology Industry in 2019, speech recognition technology will continue to be be everywhere in senior living because voice-enabled interfaces help seniors and caregivers have a better understanding of the seniors’ health conditions.

Remote Monitoring/Telehealth

Next, let’s discuss Remote Monitoring and Telehealth.

As you know, it’s the remote work era. How many Zoom meetings have you attended wearing pyjama pants? The correct answer is “all of them”. Currently, Telehealth technologies can monitor and manage health records at a distance, so caregivers can not only provide diagnoses remotely. Furthermore, care staff can also quickly access resources and documents they need, such as video conferencing, virtual reality training programs, and online chatting and booking systems.

Assistive Technologies

Finally, let’s review Assistive Technologies.

Research at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine mentioned that assistive technologies have a great effect on those involved in senior living, especially in the care of people with disabilities. This technology can support people with vision, hearing, and mobility limitations. Common devices include smart glasses, which provides navigation for people with vision impairments, and smart hearing devices, which adjusts the sound of the environment around the user.

Now What?

Have we missed any?

In short, technology is currently shaping our experiences of living, ageing, and caregiving, and consequently, will help to change the narrative and perception of long-term care. CareStory believes that senior living will continue to evolve with emerging technologies, and therefore update outdated policies and procedures.

REFERENCES:
https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/60/Supplement_1/S41/5735605#198949062
https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/tools-for-caregivers-keeping-organizing-medical-information/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31107599/
http://www.seniorhelpers.ca/blog/new-technology-making-seniors-safer-at-home

Let’s Talk Mental Health

It’s time to put stigmas to bed and start the conversation on Mental Health. In particular, let’s talk about mental health challenges involved in caregiving. Feelings of isolation, panic, frustration, and depression, for example, are very common. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with your caregiving responsibilities, there is always help. Together, we are strong, so let’s take a look at some resources you can use when you need a little TLC for the mind.

Helplines

To start, if ever things get too heavy or too overwhelming, helplines are available 24/7, and can often specialize in exactly what you’re going through. For instance, The Ontario Caregiver Helpline is designed for caregivers in Ontario, where caregivers can find mental health support services and information for themselves and even the people they care caring for. Furthermore, The Ontario Caregiver Helpline can help refer other caregivers to the support they need. The service is free and confidential, therefore you are not asked to provide your name and can be as open and honest as you like. There are two ways to access the helpline. You can either call 1-833-416-2273 (CARE) where you will speak with Community Resource Specialists who are available 24/7, or you can use the Live Chat feature on https://home-c11.incontact.com/inContact/ChatClient/index.html. The chat is available Monday to Friday 7am-9pm EST.

Webinars

Next, webinars are a great way to educate yourself and also meet new people. If you want to deepen your understanding of caregiver roles, find more practical skills to manage negative emotions, and learn more effective methods to overcome them, for instance, you cannot miss the webinars put on by The Caregiving Association! The webinars are led by Nurse psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers. Check them out here:

Peer Support

Finally, perhaps one of the most important resources to over come mental health challenges, is peer support. Negative emotions, such as anxiety, depression and guilt, happens to caregivers all the time. As a result, you can always find someone who has walked a mile in your shoes, and understands what you are going through. We all face challenges in our caregiving journeys, therefore connecting with other caregivers and sharing feelings and experiences with other caregivers can relieve some of the stress. Some available peer support resources are listed below:

Ontario Caregiver Organization Online Caregiver Support Group https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/online-caregiver-support-group-tickets-100295998030
Young Caregivers Online Support Group https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/young-caregivers-online-support-group-tickets-101926424680

If you have any additional sources of support, please comment below! CareStory would love to share your voice!

REFERENCES:
https://ontariocaregiver.ca/resources-education/mental-health-resources/
https://ontariocaregiver.ca/peer-support/
https://ontariocaregiver.ca/resources-education/
https://ontariocaregiver.ca/resources-education/caregiver-resources/#caring-for-yourself

Good morning care staff! Did you get enough sleep last night? Did you eat a hearty breakfast? (No, coffee is not an adequate breakfast). We know that you have designed plenty of tailored care plans and activities for seniors, but what are yours? What are your self-care techniques?

The Facts

Research conducted by the Ontario Caregiver Organization mentioned that 77% of caregivers are dealing with challenges in their mental health, however, it’s difficult for them to find mental health support. As a result, 43% of caregivers are dealing with feelings of isolation and loneliness, which drastically increased during the pandemic. Now is the time to start taking better care of your body, soul, and mind, so we have some self-care tools you can check out to relieve some stress.

Mindfulness

First, let’s talk about the practise that seems to be one of the main focuses right now when it comes to self-care and self-awareness: mindfulness. Mindfulness can help individuals regulate negative emotions and build emotional strength, which is exactly what we need when we are taking care of others.

As an effective stress-management tool, studies at The Gerontologist, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology show that mindfulness meditations can improve negative emotions experienced by caregivers all over the world. For instance, depression, stress, anxiety, isolation and sleep issues can all be improved with mindful practises.

Even if meditation isn’t your thing because you find your mind takes you too many places (yes, it is a skill), you can try simple things to get you started and self aware in the present moment. For example, have a look around and start naming everything you see, hear, and smell.

Thymus Thump

Next, let’s talk about the Thymus Thump. Have you heard of it? We haven’t up until recently. The best way to describe it would be to call it the happiness point. The happiness point can assist to release fear, neutralize negative energy, and relax mentally and physically. How? Well, simply tap the thymus point (under the collar bone, in front of the heart, behind the sternum) for about 30 seconds to receive new energy! Amazing right?

Acupuncture

Finally, let’s take a look at acupuncture. Acupuncture, is a traditional Chinese medicine practice. It inserts thin needles into specific points to stimulate nerves and muscles, which can seem daunting, but honestly, you can’t feel a thing. The pressure caused by the needles helps the body to balance and heal itself, and relieves stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia.

Have different self-care techniques? Please feel free to share your techniques with CareStory! Want to become better at caring for others? Start with caring for yourself first!

REFERENCES:
http://www.balancedhealthclinic.co.uk/articles/19-the-thymus-thump
https://ontariocaregiver.ca/about-oco/about-ontarios-caregivers/
https://ontariocaregiver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/OCO-Spotlight-report-English-Dec10.pdf
https://ontariocaregiver.ca/whats-your-self-care-plan/
https://vimeo.com/443464579

Briefing sessions. We all have them. Usually first thing in the morning. Of course, planning is an integral part of working in a long-term care community, but let’s add a little fun to your briefing sessions.

During your morning briefing sessions, staff has the opportunity to discuss issues, concerns, and expectations. Everyone can share and update information before starting the day. So, how can you make a briefing session more efficient, effective, and fun?

Are you on the edge of your seat yet? Good.

Let’s go through the CareStory approved checklist together:

Ice-Breaker! — We know time is of the essence in a long-term care community, but a quick ice-breaker will help to ground the team and get everyone focused. Maybe a quick movie recommendation or an opportunity to share a story.
Team Members and Their Roles — We have a lot of colleagues. Sometimes we are on the same team, sometimes we are not. We should always check in to see who is on the current team and what his/her specific role is.
Shared Goals — Always discuss what the team should achieve before working. All team members need to understand, agree with, and work on the same goals so that you can ensure that everyone’s contribution adds up to the maximum value!
Agreed Workload — Make sure all team members identify the tasks they need to achieve, their responsibilities for the day, and their hours of work (including shifts). Work Breakdown Structure Diagrams, Task sheets, and Gantt Charts are some great team management tools!
Team Building Exercises — End the meeting with a quick team-building exercise (for example, dance part or cheer) that gets everyone up and moving and brings high energy out on the floor.

Want to know more long-term care Teamwork and Communication tips? Keep following CareStory; we will not let you down!

REFERENCES:
https://www.ahrq.gov/hai/quality/tools/cauti-ltc/modules/implementation/long-term-modules/module4/mod4-facguide.html
https://www.iadvanceseniorcare.com/12-steps-to-qapi-step-2-teamwork/

Happy Monday! It’s Senior Story time again!

Rain or shine, snow or sleet, if you were inside, Mary Shute told you to “get out”. I don’t blame her—she had 11 children.

Born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Mary was the glue that held her entire family together, catering to her husband, Ralph, first. She made sure that he came home to fresh, hot food and busy kids, after a long day’s work.

Had a sweet tooth? No problem. You’ll get your fix anywhere in the house, with numerous selections of Robertson’s Candy, popular in the Maritimes around Christmas, such as chicken bones, ribbon candy, and clear-toy suckers, displayed beautifully in crystal bowls.

Every year on Pancake Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday, Mary would fry you up some delicious pancakes stuffed with coins (wrapped in wax paper) to sponsor your trip to the local convenience store in search of penny candy.

At Christmas, she would stuff her husband’s woolen socks with fruit, nuts, and candy for each child’s stocking, and hand you the Sears catalog to choose one, yes one, toy.

Mary was kind, and giving (what she was able to give) and was very much stubborn… in all the best ways. One year, her son and daughter-in-law gave her a scratch ticket inside her birthday card, and she won $500. She thought it was only fair to split the winnings with them, as they were the ones who purchased the ticket for her.

Mary was dependable, protective, and family-oriented: a woman who got things done.

She spent a number of years after Ralph’s retirement at their lakeside cottage, before her battle with Alzheimer’s. Rumor has it, she’s currently telling other seniors at the nursing home to go out and play.

Feeling Forgetful?

Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten what you went in there for? Yeah, us too. It’s normal. You may have even heard of “senior moments”, and probably have experienced them. As a result of getting older, we will all see more and more memory issues, but how do you know if your memory loss is part of the natural ageing process, or a symptom of dementia?

The fact is, early-onset dementia does often goes undiagnosed because initial symptoms are too similar to those of senior moments to be distinguished. As a result, when people experience memory issues, they are often very fearful that they are experiencing dementia.

Senior Moments vs. Dementia

Again, memory loss is quite normal, and the incidence of dementia is low. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 40% of the elderly population will experience some form of memory loss after 65 years of age. However, only 5 to 8% of them live with dementia.

As we age, our memories may start to get foggy, and some may even begin to fade. If seniors find themselves experiencing a bit of memory loss, misplacing items and forgetting names here and there for instance, you can assure them that they are most likely not experiencing dementia. Forgetting the name of an old friend is not a sign of dementia, but forgetting who your son is might be. Moreover, if your friends and family are more aware of your memory issues than you are, it might be a sign of dementia.

How to Differentiate Between Normal Ageing and Dementia

Let’s compare some signs of normal ageing memory loss and signs of dementia together so that we can have a clearer picture. Now, we are not doctors and by no means experts in dementia so these are just guidelines. If you really are concerned, please visit your doctor to have further discussions!

Signs of Memory Loss Due to the Natural Ageing Process

Unable to recall the content of conversations or details of events that took place a long time ago.
Fail to recall the name of an acquaintance.
Forget and slowly recall dates, things and events occasionally.
“Tip of the tongue,” trouble finding words in conversations.
Executive functions remain normal, but have longer cognitive processing and reaction time.
You are worried about your memory, but your families and friends are not.

Signs of Dementia

Forget recent events details or conversations content.
Repeat the same conversations.
Unable to recognize or know the names of family members.
Forget things, events and appointments more frequently.
Trouble coming up with the desired words in conversations and have frequent pauses and substitutions when finding words.
Unable to perform complex daily tasks
Your friends and relatives are worried about your memory, but you are not aware of these issues.

Attention! Not all symptoms are listed here. If you find yourself having some of the signs, please visit professionals and ask for help!

Preventative Measures

According to the American Academy of Neurology’s practice guideline, aerobic exercise is one of the best methods to maintain brain health. Take 30 minutes out of your day to exercise! Swimming, brisk walking, jogging, gardening, and cycling, for instance, are some recommended aerobic exercises for seniors.

Cardio workouts not only help seniors with memory loss, but also help lower blood pressure, enhance the health of the heart, and improve sleep quality. It’s never too late to start exercising, and there is always time to stay up-to-date on the latest resources of geriatric diseases. Together, we can beat this.

REFERENCES:
https://www.retiredbrains.com/senior-moments.html
https://www.bridgesbyepoch.com/resources/educational-resources/day-life-someone-dementia-1537298462
https://www.helpforalzheimersfamilies.com/learn/preserve-memories/capturing-memories-someone-alzheimers/
https://www.bayshore.ca/resources/dementia-strategies-tips-for-communication/
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/do-i-have-dementia/differences-between-normal-aging-dementia
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11826-memory-problems-what-is-normal-aging-and-what-is-not

How long has it been since you’ve had a decent sleep? Are you too busy? Too stressed? Drank coffee a little too late?

For those of us in the caregiving industry, sleep often falls by the wayside due to the vast array of caregiving tasks.

Insomnia sets in, and it often becomes a vicious cycle. Caregivers who have depression and anxiety are more likely to suffer from sleep disruptions, and those who experience sleep deprivation may have severe distress. Because of this, it is salient for us to take care of ourselves while caring for our seniors!

Here are some tips for you to help manage your insomnia and have a good night’s sleep:

Limit caffeine intake – We know that caffeine helps us stay more awake and less tired, but try to avoid coffee and tea past noon (LOL—I know, right?!). Too much caffeine doesn’t make you more awake, it gives you headaches!
Quiet your body and mind – Close your eyes. Focus on relaxing yourself rather than the environment around you. Start at your toes and keep breathing deeply, relaxing each muscle group for 3-6 seconds. You can also listen to calming music, for example, rain sounds or hearing the waves crash on the shore.
Try 4-4-4 breathing exercises – Inhale through your nose for a count 4. Hold your breath for a count of 4. Exhale completely through your mouth for a count of 4. Repeat it several times until you feel drowsy.

We sincerely hope that stress and insomnia stay away from you all. And us too (we wrote this at 3am).

REFERENCES:
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/managing-insomnia-caregivers
https://ontariocaregiver.ca/sleep-q-a-answering-caregiver-questions-about-insomnia/
https://ontariocaregiver.ca/10-tips-for-a-good-nights-sleep/
https://www.healthline.com/health/caffeine-effects-on-body#Central-nervous-system

Do you ever feel guilty that you’re not doing enough for the seniors you need to care for? Maybe (and by maybe, we mean definitely), you also feel that there aren’t enough hours in the day? Yeah, us too.

The Guilt

We’re in the caregiving industry; we try our best to take care of our seniors. However, sometimes, it just doesn’t work out the way we want it to. Unfortunately, sometimes, the seniors we care for may get worse, and we attribute that to things we coulda shoulda woulda done.

Just so you know, you’re doing amazing.

Letting Go of Said Guilt

Just so you also know, guilt is an insidious feeling that can make you even more stressed! It’s time to release it. Here’s how:

First, recognize the guilt. It’s common for caregivers to feel guilt. Acknowledge it and send it some love. It’s just here to remind you that you’re a good person.
Next, accept that we have imperfections. All people make mistakes, even professionals. Recognize your strengths instead of fully focusing on your weaknesses. Not good at handling emotional issues? That’s ok! You probably excel at the physical aspects of caregiving!
After acceptance, understand that you are making the best decision for the seniors you care for. You are skilled, experienced and professional! Trust yourself as much as the seniors and their family members trust you, and remember, you are doing the best you can with the resources you have.
And finally, and maybe most importantly, reach out for support. Don’t be hesitant to seek out caregiver support resources to address your feelings of guilt. Caregivers need care as well.

Remember that you have many positive accomplishments! Think about all the incredible achievements that you have done and all the barriers you have overcome. You’re fantabulous :)!

REFERENCES:
https://caregiver.com/articles/dealing-caregiver-guilt/#:~:text=Talk%20to%20a%20professional%20if,and%20the%20help%20is%20available
https://dailycaring.com/7-ways-of-dealing-with-caregiver-guilt-that-improve-health/
https://caregiver.com/downloads/228/download/50100764_web.jpg?cb=f0b7f624f03ab72e18180c3870ade2ed

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