What would you do if you found out that your grandmother was being harmed by another family member?  Or perhaps you notice that a neighbour is being yelled at by her caregiver or kept in the house by her daughter. Its sad to imagine that older adults are being harmed, distress and abused but

Almost 32 percent of women and 16% of men over the age of 65 live alone. Many have or will experience life transitions such as loss of their drivers licence, loss of friends into retirement or care facilities and many are isolated. When asked, many single seniors identified a lack of transportation as a reality […]

Do Canadians value their independence? The answer is a resounding “yes” A study conducted in Victoria, B.C. found that seniors – even those who have chronic illnesses or disabilities – prefer to remain as self-reliant as possible. This means taking care of daily tasks, such as shopping, cleaning and meal preparation themselves.  They also prefer […]

You’re applying for a new job that will involve moving from Calgary to just outside of Toronto. You’ve moved several times before and have dealt successfully with the challenges of re-settling your husband and two boys.  This time, the kids aren’t the issue, it’s your father-in-law. Today, a large number of relocations discussions centre around […]

When all signs point to a change in residence for your parents, your role as caregiver is pivotal in helping them make the right decisions and plans for the long term.  Be sure that the decisions you make allow for their personal preferences and changing needs.  Some questions to ask include those regarding affordability, availability, […]

A look at multi-generational caregiving Men and women, and all age groups—from kids to seniors—are taking on responsibility for providing care to a family member. Here are some facts and real-life stories that will give you a snapshot of the reality. Children and teens Until recently, these youngsters were known as “invisible caregivers.” They can […]

Unique challenges, unique solutions By Scott McNabb Many of us imagine the average family caregiver as a middle-aged woman looking after her father or mother, who perhaps lives in the next town over or even in the same house. But this is 2014 and that picture has changed. Families are more dispersed and diverse, with the […]

Finding a reliable and qualified care provider or home-helper for your parents requires research. The best advice I can give is to be relentless and don’t compromise on the quality of care, training and expertise of care providers and their availability to fit your schedule. Your parent’s well-being is linked to stability and routine in […]

Home Sweet Home: that’s where most of us want to be. And, any stage in our lives, our ability to find and pay for suitable housing is, to a large extent, an essential key to our well-being and quality of life. Simply put… out housing choices in mid to later life make a big difference […]