When caring for a senior, caregivers deal with unique experiences and situations that define an extensive journey. Between working full-time, balancing family life, and caregiving, it’s common for family caregivers to become overwhelmed with their situation.

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!

Typically, overall wellness encompasses seven areas: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental, and occupational. Physical health is perhaps the dimension most commonly associated with wellness, but Origin Active Lifestyle Communities wants community members to flourish in all areas of wellness. One way to assist with this is through our Evergreen Salon and Spa!

According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), “more than 1.8 million people over 60 years of age were living with a mental health problem or illness in Canada in 2016.” The term “mental disorder” can encompass a variety of conditions including anxiety disorders, and like a physical ailment, mental health problems can worsen without proper treatment.

Self-confidence is the level of belief that one has in their own abilities, judgement, appearance, etc. The first step to building self-confidence is to understand and evaluate any situation that may have had an impact on self-confidence such as divorce or family crisis. This is especially important for seniors as low self-esteem can lead to health issues, isolation and in severe cases, depression.

Animal-assisted therapy is a type of treatment that incorporates animals, such as dogs or horses, to enhance and complement the benefits of traditional therapy. According to Psychology Today, “animals can provide a sense of calm, comfort, or safety and divert attention away from a stressful situation and toward one that provides pleasure.”

As we age, the idea of active living or maintaining an active lifestyle may seem “exhausting” or “overwhelming,” especially if our friends or family members do not motivate or encourage us to try new things or participate in activities.

Every day, older adults continue to break the stereotype that seniors live “passive and uneventful lives.” Today’s seniors are active, integrated participants in their communities and these interactions are contributing to their overall wellbeing. Origin Active Lifestyle Communities know that staying active can dramatically increase our quality of life as we age, and researchers agree!

Roughly 43 percent of those dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in Canada receive assistance from a formal caregiver or a memory care community. It can be challenging to come to terms with the reality that a close friend is living with memory loss or residing in a memory care community. You may start to feel a disconnect from that friend, but it is important to focus on what you still have with that friend. Origin wants to help you stay connected and engaged with those close to you, even if they are living in a memory care community. Here are some things to keep in mind when dealing with a friend in memory care:

At Origin Active Lifestyle Communities, we have done the research and have seen the benefits an active lifestyle can have on our quality of life as we age. However, we know that some seniors may be dealing with reduced mobility and may even be in a wheelchair, but that should not limit you from living an active lifestyle! You do not need to have full mobility to. Reduced mobility should not hinder you from experiencing the health benefits of exercise and active living. However, it is essential to speak with your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise regimen. Here we have provided a list of exercises you may be able to perform, even with reduced mobility: