The Origin Blog:
Senior Health, Wellness, News, & More

While being a caregiver to a family member or friend can be a positive and rewarding experience, it can also take its toll physically and mentally. With an estimated 8 million Canadians providing informal care, understanding healthy habits is vital so that caregivers can deliver the best and most attentive care possible.

“Every day, about 28% of Canadians provide care for a family member, friend or neighbour, and nearly half will do so at some point (cmaj.ca).” Caring for someone you love is an act of compassion and dedication, but it can also be a huge undertaking.

Taking part in activities can significantly enrich the lives of those with dementia and provide an excellent opportunity for caregivers to bond with their family members. Some activities have even been shown to promote cognitive functioning. 

As the Canadian population gets older, many adults will begin to rely on informal caregiving—family members and friends who provide assistance for free—to support their growing needs. As it is, there are an estimated 8 million Canadians who are currently informal caregivers.

Caring for an aging loved one can be taxing, especially if they have a chronic illness or a memory impairment. While caregiving can be rewarding, it can also be demanding and stressful at times—leaving caregivers with little time to focus on their own health and wellness. With over 8 million Canadians providing care to an older family member, it’s essential to realize that, like the adults they care for, caregivers also need support and attention to remain healthy and refreshed.

As our bodies age, our body’s needs and habits can shift. One common change for many is their appetite. While it may not be something you think about, aging and loss of appetite are often linked to each other.

Spring cleaning is a difficult task that many people avoid doing. Over the years, things begin to pile up and take up precious space in the home. Eventually, it will come time for those things to be organized, or discarded, if you and the senior in your life value a clean house.

Although the idea of spring cleaning isn’t complicated, the process can easily become overwhelming and frustrating. It can be beneficial to have a few tips that can help expedite your cleaning process and limit the use of harmful chemicals. Origin Active Lifestyle Communities would like you to share these five tips with you and your family to help finish spring cleaning and get back to an active lifestyle!