With the COVID-19 coronavirus now being a global pandemic, many precautions are being taken in Quebec. 39 cases of the virus have been confirmed in the province as of today, the 16th of March. In Montreal specifically, there are currently 10 confirmed cases of coronavirus. For the first time, the Government of Quebec has declared a state of public health emergency. This gives the government more authority to do things like quarantine areas, close schools and other gathering places, et cetera. Our priority at Complete Care is to keep the older population in Montreal healthy and safe – right now ..read more

Today, March 10, 2020, is part of World Glaucoma Week. This event is observed by many health organizations between March 8 and 14 of every year. It was established by the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patient Committee (WGPC).   The theme this year is “Green = Go get your eyes tested for Glaucoma: Save Your Sight!”. The goal of World Glaucoma Week is to spread awareness of the condition, and encourage people to get regular eye exams to detect glaucoma early. Glaucoma in seniors is especially common, meaning that the elderly are at a higher risk for vision loss. The A ..read more

In Canada, many people take vitamins and nutritional supplements to improve their overall health. For seniors, vitamins are becoming increasingly popular. In 2015, according to Statistics Canada, 45.6% of Canadians used at least one nutritional supplement in their daily lives. This number accounts for over 15.7 million people! Seniors are the age group most likely to take multivitamins and nutritional supplements, especially women. Almost two-thirds (67.8%) of women aged 71 and older use supplements, compared to 51% of men. The most common supplement product for all Canadians is multivitamins ..read more

Finding fun, therapeutic activities for seniors to engage in can be difficult. It’s not uncommon for older adults to spend hours of the day with little stimulation, other than watching TV. Seniors, even more than younger adults, need regular mental and physical stimulation. This will help prevent cognitive decline from diseases such as Alzheimer’s/dementia, and improve overall health and happiness. Some seniors have functional limitations, making certain activities difficult or impossible. However, we at Complete Care have gathered a list of some of the most stimulating and therapeutic recreat ..read more

Seniors are more at risk for feelings of loneliness than younger adults. This is especially true for those who live alone at home. Solitude can actually even affect physical well-being. Studies have shown that continued isolation leads to a higher risk for health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety/depression, Alzheimer’s, and more.   In fact, loneliness can be just as harmful to a person’s lifespan as obesity or smoking. Recently, researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine conducted a study on social isolation in the elderly. The goal? To find commonalities i ..read more

The new Coronavirus outbreak that began in China has quickly swept headlines across Canada. While the numbers are constantly updating, right now, about 213 people have died from the virus. The new illness (2019-nCoV) has no known cure as of yet, and because it is a virus, antibiotics can’t be used as a method of treatment. On top of this, seniors are most likely at a higher risk than younger adults. This is true with most similar diseases, since aging immune systems are generally weaker against illness. According to WHO, while anyone can be affected by Coronavirus, older people are more vulner ..read more

Pet therapy is becoming an increasingly popular method of emotional support for the elderly. Trained service dogs are well-known for their ability to help those with limited abilities to live their daily lives. However, the emotional and physical benefits of basic pet therapy for seniors is often overlooked; almost any common household pet (cat, dog, bird, rabbit, et cetera) can be a support animal. The benefits range depending on the senior’s needs, but can be numerous.   What is pet therapy for seniors? Put simply, this is a form of mild therapy used primarily for emotional and cognitive sup ..read more

Speaking to an elderly loved one with dementia can be difficult and emotionally draining. Alzheimer’s and dementia can lead to conversations that don’t make sense, are inappropriate or uncomfortable, and may upset a family caregiver. However, over time, it’s important to adapt to the senior’s behavior, and understand that their condition doesn’t change who they are. For senior caregivers, it’s important to always respond with patience. Here are some things to remember not to say to someone with dementia, and what you can say instead.   1. “You’re wrong” For experienced caregivers, this one may ..read more

Finding Christmas gifts for seniors (whether it’s mom, dad, grandma, or grandpa) seems to be a particularly challenging task – after all, what do you get for someone who has everything? Many seniors believe they have enough acquired enough ‘things’ over their many years, and some insist they don’t want any gifts at all. The truth is, however, there’s always a gift to be found for someone; you just need to think outside the box. The key is to find something they’ll not only love, but something they’ll actually use, and will make their daily lives happier and easier. This can be difficult, so to ..read more

Pneumonia is a serious infection which hospitalizes many Canadian seniors each year, and has a devastatingly high mortality rate. It’s especially contagious for those above the age of 65, and according to the IDSA, around 1 in every 5 seniors who contract the disease will die from it. Even when placed in a hospital ICU unit, the mortality rate for seniors with pneumonia can be as high as 25%. Pneumonia in the elderly is more serious than in younger adults, because it’s often linked to further complications that result in longer recovery time and hospital stays. Read below to find out more abou ..read more