Holiday Dinner for Clients

Simple Turkey Recipe

For those of you who are not skilled chefs but would still like to prepare a delicious Holiday Meal for your clients, here is a SIMPLE recipe for a turkey that is perfectly browned on the outside while being both tender and juicy on the inside.

Prep Time: 15 m    Cook Time: 3 ½ Hours    Ready To Serve In: 4 ¼ Hours

Ingredients:

1 (12 pound) whole turkey; 3/4 cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons dried basil; 1 teaspoon ground sage; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 cups water.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Clean turkey (discard giblets and organs), and place in a roasting pan with a lid.

2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, dried basil, ground sage, salt, and black pepper. Using a basting brush, apply the mixture to the outside of the uncooked turkey. Pour water into the bottom of the roasting pan, and cover.

3. Bake for 3 to 3 1/2 hours, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh measures 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Remove bird from oven, and allow to stand for about 30 minutes before carving.

Whether you prepare a smaller Turkey Dinner for two or three people, or you prepare a whole Turkey, be proud of yourselves for making the effort to help your clients celebrate the holiday season by enjoying a traditional meal. You can help your client by planning a special meal once a week, so they can invite guests and enjoy the meal together.

Sharing meal times with family and friends can provide structure to the day and increase the enjoyment of food. Whether your client has dementia, a mental health illness, or is simply experiences loneliness at times, meals are a great time to invite friends and family over and increase  social connections. Good nutrition and hydration and enjoyable mealtimes can dramatically improve the health and well-being of older people. There are many psychological, social and biological benefits of eating meals with other people, and can evoke deep feelings of contentment and security. Regular mealtimes are good biologically; the act of talking and listening slows down the eating process. 

Studies also show the positive effect of mealtime interpersonal behaviours on the food intake of older clients. If your client doesn’t have friends or family living in the same city, you can help them think of new friends to invite. Perhaps two or three other seniors in their neighbourhood who are probably also eating alone tonight. Other seniors who also attend the local Seniors Centre at the Community Centre; members of the local library, or just folks you recognise from your walks on the SeaWall. Humans are social beings, and it is our responsibility to care for the entire client which means considering their physical, emotional, intellectual, occupational, environmental, spiritual, and social wellness. 

Enjoying a traditional holiday meal with friends or family will help to meet and strengthen all of these dimensions of our client’s overall health.

10 Tips to Keep Your Parents SAFE at Home

There’s no place like home, but for seniors, their home can be a collection of hazards. Most older adults’ injuries happen at home, so it’s prudent to do a safety review every six months and remove unnecessary risks to help keep our loved-ones safe in their homes.

Railings & Handrails – many handrails were built for decoration, but seniors need to have secure railings to support them as they go up and down stairs, and to support them getting in and out of the shower/tub safely. Too many seniors end up in the hospital with a broken limb because the towel rack they were pulling on came away from the wall – towel racks are for towels, safety bars are for people.

Adequate Lighting – make sure that each room and all entrance has adequate lighting. Older folks, especially those with visual challenges, will likely require brighter lighting. Replace older 60w bulbs with a brighter and more energy-efficient A19 LED bulb (equivalent to 100w). Also make sure that light switches are within reach and illuminated if necessary.

Throw Rugs – scatter rugs were popular back in the day, but they are a serious tripping hazard for older folks. If your Mom is reluctant to remove them for her home, try to find somewhere she could still see and enjoy them without being directly in her path. At the very least, tack them down to avoid tripping.

Clear Pathways – remove obstacles including cords and loose items from the hallways. We encourage you to think about all the places your parent walks during the day: bed to bathroom, bedroom to kitchen, kitchen to living room, living room to front/back door, and ensure there are no tripping hazards.

        

Cluttered rooms are accidents waiting to happen for seniors with mobility issues.

Non-Skid Floor wax – if your parents live in a home with polished floors, check to ensure that they only buy and use non-skid floor wax. You’ll want to ensure the whole house offers good traction and that your parent’s wear good, rubber-soled, low-heeled footwear. Don’t forget to make sure the bathtub and shower have a fairly new non-slip mats in them as well.

Emergency Numbers near all phones – ensure that all phones are placed within easy reach for your parent. Rushing to answer the phone is a common cause of falls and broken hips.  Cordless phones are quite affordable today, and your Mom or Dad should have one that can be easily carried to their favourite chair and bedside.

First Aid Kit – these make great gifts. Give one to someone you love to day, and be sure to spend ten minutes and review what’s in the kit, and where it will be kept so everyone is aware.

Chair at front door to put shoes on and off – this will help your ageing parent an opportunity to sit and safely put their shoes on and off, and allow them to catch their breath.

Fire Extinguishers & Smoke Alarms on every floor – help your parents by checking their extinguishers and detectors biannually (put on your calendar for Day Light Saving and check theirs and your own every Fall and Spring). Change the batteries annually if the alarms are not hardwired.

Have a Medical Alert system – research the options and choose a system that your parent will use (there’s no point having an emergency button if they leave it in their bedside table). Today there are many options: pendants, watches & bracelets, and table top units to name a few. Research the options and find the unit that your parent likes the best.

BONUS SAFETY TIP: probably the number one cause of serious injury in seniors is falling when they first get up. Seniors are susceptible to falls for many different reasons – poor balance, decreased eyesight, light headedness, overall weakness and fragility.  As a result of frailer bones and slower reflexes, these falls are often serious, resulting in broken hips, or, by trying to break the fall, injured arms or wrists.

 Learn to Count to 3 when Standing: as we age, our body’s reactions slow, this includes the message to the brain to increase our blood pressure when we stand. To help prevent falls when first rising from bed or a chair, learn to stand in three steps:

1)   Count “1” and take a good breath, then sit up straight and place your feet evenly on the floor.

2)   With your hands securely holding both chair armrests, count “2” and take another good breath and then stand (but do not take a step yet).

3)   Once you are standing, count “3” and take another breath as you assess how you feel. Are you at all dizzy or light-headed, if so, you can put your hands back on the armrests and safely sit down. If you feel ok after your third breath, then you may take a step as your body has now had time to increase your blood pressure from sitting to walking.

If you would like a Home Healthcare specialist to come and help review your loved-one’s home, contact Shylo Home Healthcare today.

Excepts from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/aging-seniors/publications/publications-general-public/safe-living-guide-a-guide-home-safety-seniors.html

Mental Health Update

Estimates suggest that, in any given year, about one in every five people living in Canada will experience diagnosable mental health problems or illnesses. These can occur at any time of life, affecting infants, children and youth, adults, and seniors. No one is immune–no matter where they live, what their age, or what they do in life. This means that just about every family in the country will be directly affected, to some degree, by mental illness.

Having known too many friends and families who have lost someone they love who struggled with Mental Health challenges, we are excited to see Mental Health, particularly Youth Mental Health, getting positive attention and support.

Mental health and mental illness are two terms that are often used interchangeably, which causes confusion as they are very different. Mental health is the sense of well-being; it refers to how an individual is able to interact with other human beings. Good mental health is a state of well-being in which a person is able to cope with everyday events, think clearly, be responsible, meet challenges and have good relationships with others. Mental illness, on the other hand, refers to specific, diagnosed disorders and mental ailments.

Young people experience higher rates of mental illness and substance use than any other age group, and may face challenges in accessing the services they need to improve their well-being. 

Unfortunately, healthcare¾including mental healthcare¾is not user-friendly and does not come with a road map in British Columbia. People often enter the healthcare system during a time of crisis and do not know who to turn to. If you break your arm then you go to your local ER, but if a teenager has suicidal thoughts, who do they and their family turn to?

Foundry – Help Arrives for our Youth

The North Shore just announced the opening of Foundry, one of five communities across British Columbia—Abbotsford, North Vancouver, Kelowna, Campbell River and Prince George—that were selected to develop a one-stop shop for youth to access primary care, mental health care, addictions support and social services. The hope is that Foundry will encourage early help-seeking by creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where youth and families can receive rapid access to care.

“With Foundry, young people and their families can find help, hope, and support. It is where young people can forge new connections, abilities, and pathways. Foundry is a foundation for health and wellness.”

Foundry is a group of community agencies, government, donors, youth and young adults, and families coming together to improve the wellness of BC’s young people through a province-wide network of integrated health and social service centres for young people ages 12-24. Foundry centres provide a one-stop-shop for young people to access mental health care, substance use services, primary care, social services and youth and family peer supports striving to reach young people earlier to help with issues before they become bigger and impact relationships, school, work or other aspects of life.

Where to find Foundry? As of today (September 2017), Foundry centres are open in Vancouver, Kelowna and North Vancouver and are being built in Abbotsford, Campbell River and Prince George. Foundry North Shore will offer five core services: primary care, mental health services, substance use services, and youth and family peer support and navigation as well as social supports (e.g. vocational and housing services).

Senior Mental Health

Having good mental health throughout life does not ensure immunity from severe depression, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorders or other disorders in the senior years of life. According to The Mental Health Commission of Canada: by 2041, seniors will have the highest rate of mental illness in Canada. 1 in 4 seniors already lives with a mental health problem or mental illness, and as this population grows, so too will the need for services. As Canadians live longer, our approach to mental health must account for the number of seniors living with mental illness and dementia. It requires a shift from acute, hospital-based care to a more cost-effective community-based model, one that supports seniors and caregivers where they live.

Seniors face overlapping stigma: the stigma of living with a mental illness, as well as the stigma of being older. Further public awareness and education are needed to combat the negative stereotypes associated with ageing and mental health problems or mental illness. Although considered common in older adults, mental health illnesses should not be viewed as typical or inevitable consequences of growing older.

Dementia is a progressive degenerative illness of the brain that includes several symptoms, such as loss of memory, impaired judgment and loss of reasoning abilities, as well as changes in mood and behaviour. As of 2016, there are an estimated 564,000 Canadians living with dementia; plus about 25,000 new cases diagnosed every year. By 2031, that number is expected to rise to 937,000, an increase of 66 per cent. Dementia is often complicated by delirium, an acute confusional state, affecting perceptions, attention, orientation, emotions and level of consciousness. 

The WHO Health Evidence Network reports that integration of acute hospital and community care has been shown to improve outcomes following hospital discharge for seniors with mental health issues. Home based support services for people living with or at risk for mental illnesses, including dementia are offered in the place where an older adult lives. Home care staff is in a unique position to provide support and respite to family caregivers and should be supported to do so according to the Guidelines for ComprehensiveMental Health Services for Older Adults in Canada. 

Signs and Symptoms of Mental Illness

We all lose our keys at times and wonder Is this just normal ageing, or is this Mental illness? Mental Illness does not typically happen over-night, usually friends and family members notice subtle changes or feel something is wrong before their loved-one is diagnosed with a Mental illness. Learning about the symptoms and indicators can help you help those you love.

Signs & Symptoms

If you notice more than one of the following signs or symptoms, you should discuss this with your family physician or follow up with a mental health professional today.

• Withdrawal — Recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in others
• Reduced functioning — An unusual drop in functioning, at school, work or social activities, such as quitting sports, failing in school or difficulty performing familiar tasks
• Problems with Concentration — Problems with concentration, memory or logical thought and speech that are hard to explain
• Increased sensitivity — Heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells or touch; avoidance of over-stimulating situations
• Apathy — Loss of initiative or desire to participate in any activity
• Feeling disconnected — A vague feeling of being disconnected from oneself or one’s surroundings; a sense of unreality
• Illogical thinking — Unusual or exaggerated beliefs about personal powers to understand meanings or influence events; illogical or “magical” thinking typical of childhood in an adult
• Nervousness — Fear or suspiciousness of others or a strong nervous feeling
• Unusual behaviour – Odd, uncharacteristic, peculiar behaviour
• Sleep or appetite changes — Dramatic sleep and appetite changes or decline in personal care
• Mood changes — Rapid or dramatic shifts in feelings

One or two of these symptoms alone can’t predict a mental illness. But if a person is experiencing several at one time, and the symptoms are causing challenges in their ability to study, work or relate to others, he/she should be seen by a mental health professional. People with suicidal thoughts or intent, or thoughts of harming others, need immediate attention.

Signs and Symptoms of Dementia

Dementia and Mental Illness can occur concurrently, but one will typically present before the other. Dementia is a collection of symptoms that can occur due to a variety of possible diseases. Dementia symptoms include impairments in thought, communication, and memory.

Signs & Symptoms

• Subtle short-term memory changes —  Trouble with memory can be an early symptom of dementia. The changes are often subtle and tend to involve short-term memory. An older person may be able to remember events that took place years ago but not what they had for breakfast.
• Difficulty finding the right words —  Another early symptom of dementia is struggling to communicate thoughts. A person with dementia may have difficulty explaining something or finding the right words to express themselves. Having a conversation with a person who has dementia can be difficult, and it may take longer than usual to conclude.
• Changes in mood —   A change in mood is also common with dementia. If you have dementia, it isn’t always easy to recognise this in yourself, but you may notice this change in someone else. Depression, for instance, is typical of early dementia. Along with mood changes, you might also see a shift in personality. One typical type of personality change seen with dementia is a shift from being shy to outgoing. This is because the condition often affects judgement.
• Apathy —  Apathy, or listlessness, commonly occurs in early dementia. A person with symptoms could lose interest in hobbies or activities. They may not want to go out anymore or do anything fun. They may lose interest in spending time with friends and family, and they may seem emotionally flat.
• Difficulty completing normal tasks—  A subtle shift in the ability to complete normal tasks may indicate that someone has early dementia. This usually starts with difficulty doing more complex tasks like balancing a check-book or playing games that have a lot of rules. Along with the struggle to complete familiar tasks, they may struggle to learn how to do new things or follow new routines.
• Confusion —  Someone in the early stages of dementia may often become confused. When memory, thinking, or judgement lapses, confusion may arise as they can no longer remember faces, find the right words, or interact with people normally. Confusion can occur for a number of reasons and apply to different situations. For example, they may misplace their car keys, forget what comes next in the day, or have difficulty remembering someone they’ve met before.
• Difficulty following storylines— Difficulty following storylines may occur due to early dementia. This is a classic early symptom. Just as finding and using the right words becomes difficult, people with dementia sometimes forget the meanings of words they hear or struggle to follow along with conversations or TV programs.
• A failing sense of direction—  The sense of direction and spatial orientation commonly starts to deteriorate with the onset of dementia. This can mean not recognising once-familiar landmarks and forgetting regularly used directions. It also becomes more difficult to follow a series of directions and step-by-step instructions.
• Being repetitive —  Repetition is common in dementia because of memory loss and general behavioural changes. The person may repeat daily tasks, such as shaving, or they may collect items obsessively. They also may repeat the same questions in a conversation after they’ve been answered.
• Struggling to adapt to change —  For someone in the early stages of dementia, the experience can cause fear. Suddenly, they can’t remember people they know or follow what others are saying. They can’t remember why they went to the store, and they get lost on the way home. Because of this, they might crave routine and be afraid to try new experiences. Difficulty adapting to change is also a typical symptom of early dementia.

If you or your loved one is experiencing memory problems, don’t immediately label it ‘dementia’. A person needs to have at least two types of impairment that significantly interfere with everyday life to receive a dementia diagnosis.  If a person is experiencing several at one time, and the symptoms are causing challenges in their ability to work or relate to others, he/she should be seen by a mental health professional.

If you are struggling to support a friend or family member in the community with a mental health challenge or dementia, call Shylo today for an in-home assessment and support ideas.

For escorted rides to your healthcare appointments or to simply run errands, call Rides By Shylo

Resources and Helplines

Health and Seniors Information Line  1-800-465-4911

Canadian Mental Health Association

Alzheimers Society of Canada

British Columbia Integrated Youth Services Initiative

Excepts from:

http://vchnews.ca/

http://foundrybc.ca/

http://www.bciysi.ca/

https://www.psychiatry.org/

https://www.healthline.com/

http://www.mentalhealthcanada.com/

https://www.carepath.ca/mental-health-aging-canadian-population/

https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/focus-areas/seniors

http://grahamboeckhfoundation.org/bc-integrated-youth-services-initiative/

Know Your Options as You Age

As they say “Old age isn't so bad when you consider the alternative”. We want to help you retain control and independence as you age, and the first step is to know your options as you age.

School prepares us for adulthood, but no one helps us prepare for our senior years. A few lucky folks will age with ease and never require any support, but most of will need some help along the way. In this article, we hope to guide our readers on how to navigate our less than user-friendly healthcare system when it comes to senior healthcare options. It’s never a good idea to wait until a crisis happens to start looking into your options. 

Step 1: Do you have a plan?

“Be Prepared” is a great motto for life at all stages. We encourage everyone to set aside a few hours to sit and seriously consider what you would like your old age to look like. Whether you are still a young adult, or your retirement is a few short years away, or even if you’re already in your senior years ¾ it’s never too late to plan for tomorrow.

Some questions to ask yourself:

       Do I want to remain in my own home, or do I want to move to a retirement residence? (see next section).

        If you are married or live with someone else, will your plan change if your spouse or family member                 passes away or is no longer able to live with you?

This is a very important question for couples or seniors who live with a family member. If you are married, then your plan should include how you wish to live as a couple, and how you and your partner would wish to live should you be alone (that’s three options to discuss).  

In today's world of second and third marriages, there could be several options to consider; you’ll want to be sure to consider and plan for all possible options. If you are in a second marriage, and you both have children from previous spouses, you need to consider who will (and wants to) help who, and does that change if one of you passes away?

        Do you want to be close to family?

It is less common today for adult children to still live in the same community as their parents. You’ll want to seriously consider whether you want to be closer to family as you age, and what will that look like. Is your one child in another city, or perhaps even another country? Do you have children and grandchildren living in different cities? Do you want to live with (or near) one of your children, or do you want to split your time between more than one?

Answering these questions will obviously effect on your housing options. If you still live in the family home, and your children and grandchildren all live in the area, then staying in the family home might be a simple solution. But if your oldest daughter, the one who is your main support system, lives in Toronto, and you have a son you rarely see in Calgary, but you are in Vancouver, then you need to seriously consider where you’ll want to be when you’re older, and when you’ll want to relocate (moving at 68 is far easier than moving at 86).

In ‘a home’, or in your home?

Who will change my light-bulbs?

This may sound mundane, but it is an important question to consider if you wish to remain in your home. Homes, whether it be your three-bedroom house, or a one-bedroom apartment, they all require some maintenance to keep running safely. Will you be physically able to maintain your home, should you be climbing a ladder or step-stool, or will you require a service provider to help with some of the more physical tasks?

        Is it more important to me to eat what and when I want, or to eat with others?

Humans come in all shapes and sizes, and we all have our own preferences. While I may place more value on my independence, you may value the fun of socialising in groups over setting your own schedule. These are important concepts to consider.

Remaining in your home does allow you to maintain more control, but you may eventually require some support to safely preserve your independence. Some seniors are reluctant to allow ‘help’ into their home, but this can be a risky mistake. We encourage you to educate yourself about what services are available in your community, and how they can support you, if and when needed. If you have an unexpected fall (and who plans a fall), or break a hip, you may end up in the hospital and not permitted to return home if you don’t have support services in place.

Call Shylo today at 604-985-6881 to make an appointment for a nursing supervisor to come to your home and discuss in-home services. We can help with meal planning, shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, personal care, drive you to appointments, and we can even change your light-bulbs. 

Community Care

The government also offers some support for seniors living in the community, these services are available through your local health authority and include:

Adult Day Care services assist seniors and adults with disabilities to continue to live in their own homes by providing supportive group programs and activities in the community.

Clients receiving adult day care services travel to a location in their community, usually 1-2 days per week, where they may receive a variety of services, including:

· personal assistance;

· health care services including nursing and/or rehabilitation services;

· an organised program of therapeutic social and recreational activities in a protective group setting;

· health education and promotion, nutrition and bathing programs, blood pressure and podiatry clinics, telephone checking, and counselling; and

· caregiver support, including respite, activities such as caregiver support groups, information and education programs.

In some cases, transportation is provided, in others, the client is responsible. Many adult day service programs are connected with residential care facilities, while others operate independently.

Community Nursing is also available to citizens living their own homes in the community who require acute, chronic, palliative or rehabilitative support. Services can include nursing interventions such as education, wound care, medication management, chronic disease management, care management, post-surgical care and palliative care.  Generally, community nursing services will only be provided on a short-term basis.

Community Rehabilitation services are provided to clients who require acute, chronic, palliative or rehabilitative support to help improve or maintain physical and functional abilities. Generally, community rehabilitation services will be provided on a short-term basis. These services may be provided in the client’s home, assisted living residences, family care homes, group homes, or other community settings.

Residential Care

  

Retirement homes also come in many shapes and sizes, from larger government-funded, multi-level nursing homes, to smaller private assisted living residences – there is something for every level of care, and every budget. Retirement living has come a long way in the past twenty years, and there are far more options available today then there were for our parents. We encourage everyone to get out and tour a couple of the local homes and see what is available in your area. Generally, residential care is available through:

Independent Living BC (ILBC) is a subsidized, assisted-living program that provides housing with support services to seniors and people with disabilities. Each residence has private units, shared dining and social areas, housekeeping services, personal care services and emergency response.

Assisted Living provides housing, hospitality services and personal care services for adults who can live independently and make decisions on their own behalf but require a supportive environment due to physical and functional health challenges.

Residential Care (Long Term Care) provides 24-hour professional care and supervision in a protective, supportive environment for people who have complex care needs and can no longer be cared for in their own homes or in an assisted living residence.

Short-term residential care services are also available on a short-term basis (usually less than three months) and include convalescent care, residential hospice palliative care and respite care.

Respite Care people receiving home and community care services are often assisted by informal caregivers, often a friend or family member. Respite care can give the caregiver temporary relief from the emotional and physical demands of caring for a friend or family member. Respite may take the form of a service that is provided in an individual’s home or a residential care facility, hospice or other community care setting such as an adult day centre.

Memory Care units are totally devoted to the care and treatment of people suffering from Alzheimer’s and other cognitive diseases. Memory Care units are designed to provide an environment that is safe and comfortable.

End-of-life care is supportive and compassionate care that improves the quality of life for people and their families who are facing the end stages of a terminal or chronic illness, or preparing for death. End-of-life care addresses physical, psychological, and spiritual concerns and focuses on comfort, respect for decisions, and support for the family.  It is provided wherever the client is living, whether in their home, in hospice, an assisted living residence or a residential care facility.

For more information on any of these services, and to find out if you qualify, call the health authority in your region:

Vancouver Coastal Health             604-736-2033

North Shore Health                        604-986-7111

Fraser Health                                 604-587-4600

Interior Health                               250-862-4200

Island Health                                 250-370-8699

Northern Health                             250-565-2649

First Nations Health                       604-693-6500    

Step 2: Share your plan

The most important thing to having a plan, is to make sure everyone is aware and supports your plan. You’ll want to be sure and discuss your plan with your family, your family doctor, and any financial advisers or lawyers who may be involved in your life as you age.

Questions to consider while making your plan:

Where do I want to live?

o   will this change if your spouse/partner is no longer with you?

o   will this change if you develop a physical or cognitive disability?

o   do you know the costs associated with this option?

Who would I like to have Power of Attorney authority in case I am incapacitated and temporarily or permanently unable to do my own banking. Is a POA the same as a Representation Agreement? (see below).

Document your plan, and share copies with appropriate stakeholders. We recommend that you have at least three copies of your plan, and make sure the right people know where to find it. Keep up-to-date copies with:

• ·        yourself – keep a copy in your home, and be sure friends/family know where it is. You should also add a note in your wallet stating where it is and who to call in case of an emergency.

ICE: most cell phones today have the ability to store In Case of Emergency contact information; on most phones this will even show up if the phone is locked.

• ·        your emergency contact (be sure to keep your emergency contact updated; if your best friend is your contact but is in their 80’s,  they may not be the best person to help you in an emergency).
• ·         your family doctor
• ·         your financial adviser
• ·         your lawyer

Also keep an electronic copy of your plan. If you are not comfortable suing a computer, contact one of your children or grandchildren, and ask them to create an electronic copy [e-file] for you (this can be as simple as scanning what you have written out). This way your plan can quickly and easily be shared with your entire family, no matter where they are in the world, should anything happen to you and decisions need to be made in a hurry. 

Power of Attorney is a document that appoints another person, called an ‘attorney’ to deal with your business and property, and to make financial and legal decisions for you. The word “attorney” here means “one who is appointed and authorised to act in the place of another person”.

Consider carefully who to appoint as your attorney and the powers you want to give. You cannot appoint anyone who is paid to provide you with personal or health care or who works at a facility through which you receive personal or health care, unless that person is your child, parent or spouse. It’s important that you trust the person’s honesty and judgement. If you have no family member or friend that you can or want to appoint, you can appoint a respected professional such as your lawyer, accountant or trust company. As a power of attorney gives your attorney very broad power, it can cause a lot of harm if misused.

Healthcare Representation Agreements allow adults to arrange in advance how, when and by whom, decisions about their health care or personal care, the routine management of their financial affairs, or other matters will be made if they become incapable of making decisions independently. They avoid the need for the court to appoint someone to help adults make decisions, or someone to make decisions for adults, when they are incapable of making decisions independently.

Changes to BC’s Representation Agreement Act came into effect on September 1, 2011. Representation agreements signed before then will generally still be valid. But any representation agreements signed on or after September 1, 2011 must follow all the new laws.

The Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia has detailed information on powers of attorney, representation agreements and court orders appointing a committee to look after the affairs of a person who is mentally incapable. 604-660-4444 www.trustee.bc.ca

Check your insurance polices – know your coverage 

Every plan – even plans through the same insurance company – covers different prescriptions and other services. This is often because there are different types of plans to choose from. Some members are surprised to learn that their plan covers things they didn’t expect, like their chiropractor visits and pumps for breastfeeding moms. Check that the care you want is covered, and the amount you’ll have to pay, before you need health services. It would be a shame to deny yourself help in the home thinking you can’t afford it if you were covered all along. If you need insurance advice, call Kendra at Perspektiv Financial  604-568-6159  www.perspektivfinancial.com

Reverse Mortgages – a great solution? Know the risks?

A reverse mortgage or home equity conversion mortgage (HECM) is a type of home loan for older homeowners (55+) that requires no monthly mortgage payments. Borrowers are still responsible for property taxes and homeowner's insurance.

However, reverse mortgages are not without risk, and are not for everyone. Though closing costs are typically financing into the loan, you may end up losing tens of thousands of your home equity immediately. In many cases, you will end up using up a large portion of your home equity, both in the cash you withdraw and the interest that accrues over time. This will leave you with less wealth moving forward, and it will reduce the inheritance that you can leave. If you need to stay in a nursing home or an assisted living facility for over a year, the loan becomes due immediately. If you do not keep the house in good repair or fall behind on tax and insurance payments face the risk of foreclosure.

Line of Credit you may have already paid off your mortgage and now longer have a LOC. While paying off a mortgage is an admirable accomplishment, having a Line of Credit is a wonderful tool. LOCs give you the peace of mind knowing that you have immediate access to funds anytime you need or want them, and you only pay if/when you use it.

For advice on whether a reverse mortgage or Line of Credit would be best for you, call Michael James at Dominion Lending 778-385-5503  www.mjamesmortgages.com

Rent or Own?

One decision that will affect your retirement a great deal is whether to own or rent. There are obvious benefits to owning your own home — with today’s low interest rates, locking in a 15- or 30-year fixed payment keeps your housing costs predictable. As an owner, you can also reap the rewards of increased equity if housing prices rise.

Even better, if you pay cash for your home, you have no mortgage payments. Also, you’ll never get a 30-day notice to vacate your property, and you can paint your bedroom whatever colour you desire.

However, when you take into account your down payment, closing costs, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and upkeep, it may actually be cheaper to rent. As an owner, the funds you used to purchase your home are locked up and aren’t available to provide monthly cash flow.

When you rent, if you need a new roof, water heater, or dishwasher, it's coming out of the owner’s pocket. All you need to do is make a phone call to the owner or her property manager.  On the other hand, you could get hit with rent hikes, even if you’re on a fixed income.  Indeed, there's growing concern that soaring rents and <1% vacancy rates in some areas could ruin many a retirement plan. 

If you live in the Lower Mainland and are wondering about the value of your home versus the cost to rent, the best place to start is with a Detailed Comparative Market Analysis, and the best realtor we know is Stefan Gerber who can be reached at 604-764-0663 www.stefangerber.com

Private, public or both?

Both home support and residential care can be government-funded or private. There are significant differences between the two, and we encourage everyone to familiarise yourself with both options.  As with most things in life, you generally get what you pay for.

You may qualify for funding and have the opportunity to reside in a government-funded residential care facility; funding is based on your medical needs and annual income, and can vary form 0-100%. They will provide the minimal care required (food, lodging and a weekly bath), but you may have to share your room with two or three other residents, and you have to eat during their set meal times (breakfast at 7:30 am, lunch at 12:00 pm and supper at 5:00 pm). You will be limited to bringing a few items from home (a bed spread and a few photos), and likely will not have a fridge to store your own food or drinks in.

On the other hand, there are a variety of private homes that offer more luxurious accommodations. Some facilities offer basic accommodations and meals, with additional services available à la carte. We hear from some of our clients that the private facilities cost between $5,000 to $14,000 per month.

Similarly, home care can be private or subsidised by the government, and there are significant differences between the two. If you qualify for subsidised home support, the government will dictate how many hours you may receive each month, and when you will receive the hours. You will likely see a lot of different faces, you may have male and female caregivers, and the workers may or may not arrive at the scheduled time. Government home care also has a lot of restrictions on the services they offer (no housekeeping, medication assistance, etc).

While private home care will cost a little more, it does offer you control over your services. You can set your own schedule, you will have individual caregivers assigned specially to you, and you can request a change if you’re not happy with a certain caregiver. Home care companies like Shylo are also full service and can help with all of your personal care needs (bathing, dressing, meals, and medications) as well as household chores (housekeeping, laundry, ironing, and basic gardening); your caregivers can also escort you to run errands or go to the doctor.

Some clients use the services offered by the government and supplement the hours with the services of a private home care company like Shylo. Again, we encourage everyone to familiarise yourself with all the services available to you ¾ educate yourself BEFORE a crisis happens and you need the services.

In Summary:

We hope this review of healthcare options has helped shed some light on your choices. We know it can seem over-whelming at first glance, but there are people out here that can help you make an informed decision.

Resources:

Home Support                  Shylo Home Healthcare                 www.ShyloNursing.ca                      604-985-6881
To discuss your home health care options, call Shylo today to request a free, no obligation health assessment. We are happy to come to your home and discuss everything discussed within this article, assess your current needs (housekeeping, meal preparation, personal care, dementia care, or end of life care) and create a detailed Care Plan based on your individual needs if requested.

Insurance                        Perspektiv Financial                       www.perspektivfinancial.com          604-568-6159 
Call Kendra Sivertson (Certified Financial Planner) to review your current insurance coverage.

Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia                   www.trustee.bc.ca                         604-660-4444

Mortgages                          Michael James                              www.mjamesmortgages.com           778-385-5503 

Realtor                               Stefan Gerber                                www.stefangerber.com                  604-764-0663

Vancouver Coastal Health                                                      www.vch.ca                                  604-736-2033

Other Trusted Service Providers:

Unlike some the big franchises out there, Shylo is a local company that has operated in Vancouver since 1980. We live in your community too, and we have worked with many trades over the years and have amassed a list of reputable local businesses.

We enjoy being able to refer our friends and clients to other local businesses that we trust. If you ever need the help of any of the following services, please do not hesitate to contact Margot for a reliable referral.

• Audiologist (Mobile Hearing Aide Services)           
• Mobile Physio Therapist                
• Massage Therapist
• Plumber              
• Electrician            
• Gardener            
• Financial Planner              
• Bookkeeper       
• Locksmith
• Branding/Marketing       
• Business Lawyer               
• Commercial Cleaner      
• Life Coach           
• Kinesiologist
• Dog Walker         
• Pet Sitter             
• Veterinarian       
• Printer                  
• Architect              
• Yacht Sales          
• Roofer
• Dentist                 
• Fitness Trainer   
• Pilates Studio     
• Nutritionist         
• Eating Disorder Therapist             
• Realtor
• Contractor          
• Demolition/ Restoration               
• Automotive Repair          
• Auto Body (mobile)         
• Movers
• Sign Company   Internet Marketing         
• Promotional Products (Swag)     
• Commercial Financing    
• Painter
• Organising Systems (Garage/Closet)        
• Window Coverings          
• Accountant         
• Property Manager
• Commercial Real Estate                 
• Life, Health, Disability Insurance                
• Home, Auto Insurance (Mobile)
• Photographer    
• Personal Injury Lawyer  
• Naturopathic Doctor       
• Interior Design 
• Home Inspector
• Heating/ HVAC                  
• Video Production (Family Stories)             
• Family Lawyer   
• Wigs      
• Osteopath
• Travel Agent      
• Hypnotherapist                
• Window Washing & Power Washing        

*Shylo received no monetary rewards for referrals to these service providers, we just like to help our clients, friends and family.

Whether you need help today, or are fortunate enough to never need support, it’s a good idea to know what your options are and have a plan in place. Think of it like having an umbrella: hopefully it won’t rain today, but if it does, at least you won’t get wet because you were prepared.

Excerpts from:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nancyanderson/2016/04/04/8-important-questions-to-ask-yourself-before-moving-in-retirement-2/#505e2bef3837

http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/care-options-and-cost

http://www.comfortlife.ca/retirement-communities/vancouver-retirement-homes#2

https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/housing-with-support/independent-living-bc-program

https://www.cbabc.org/For-the-Public/Dial-A-Law/Scripts/Wills-and-Estates/180