A hospital stay can be stressful and uncertain for anyone, especially a senior. Preparing to be discharged from the hospital is usually welcomed but can also cause additional stress for the patient and their loved ones.  Your loved one will likely have a lengthy recovery at home, and it’s your responsibility to help make sure their home is ready and safe for their return.  To help you and your loved one transition safely back home after their hospital stay, follow our guidelines for safe home transfer for seniors. Preparing for discharge and returning home As you and your loved one’s ..read more

Is your aging loved one at a greater risk of serious injury from a slip and fall at home? Nearly one-third of seniors fall at least once per year. Many of these falls occur while carrying out their typical daily activities and sometimes contribute to feelings of isolation, helplessness, and depression. Often, your loved one wants their independence at home despite these risks. That’s why having your support is critical to ensuring their home is as safe as possible, and that they have the support they need to keep living at home as long as possible.  So many at-home falls can be prevented ..read more

Is your loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease? Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia – a general term to describe when the brain no longer functions properly. In the case of Alzheimer’s, the disease affects how the person remembers, thinks, and behaves. Those with the disease often have trouble communicating or with comprehension, which makes supporting them difficult unless you know how to support them best: by focusing on the person, not the disease.  Keep reading to learn more about Alzheimer’s, its symptoms, and how you can support the person behind the disease.  ..read more

Seniors living in their homes or an assisted living or care facility often experience feelings of social isolation, especially around the holidays. Social isolation in older adults could increase their risk of developing dementia by 50%, incident coronary artery disease or stroke by 30%, and general mortality by 26%.  Social isolation is commonly described as someone with “a low quantity and quality of contact with others.” Many seniors develop feelings of loneliness and social isolation after physical changes (illness) or life changes (like the loss of a family member or moving from thei ..read more

How safe is your senior family member when they’re online? Today’s older generation didn’t grow up with computers and the internet. They may not be aware of internet safety, putting them at risk of scams and identity theft. Even younger adults, who are online regularly, unknowingly fall for these cyber scams.  The pandemic encouraged more seniors to jump online in recent years. One study found that “digital technology can minimize loneliness, social isolation, and additional health concerns that can be exacerbated due to the lack of social connectivity.” A Statistics Canada study found th ..read more

This week, Mother Nature has shown us that summer is officially over. The leaves are falling, and the temperature is dropping fast. This also signals the start of cold and flu season in Vancouver.  With this in mind, prevention is key to navigating this season filled with sniffles and sneezes. This is especially important if you are a caregiver for your friend or loved one, especially if they are seniors or have an immunocompromised system. Getting ill can undermine the health and well-being of everyone. This includes caregivers and those receiving care alike! If there is one thing the p ..read more

Would it surprise you to know nearly one million Canadians rely on some kind of in-home care today? An additional 500,000 are expected to need it before the end of this decade.  If you’ve never had to look into home care for a loved one, it’s important to know it should involve more than just picking a name or company from a “catalogue,” like you’d buy a book or a new coffee mug.  Each person’s caregiving needs are unique, and no one-size-fits-all care plan works for everyone.  The process of choosing in-home care for your loved one requires some planning and different factors t ..read more

Are you a caregiver for a family member or friend? Being a caregiver for another can be stressful and impact your own health and well-being. You can’t give your 100% support to another unless you’re taken care of too. When you’re on an airplane, the flight staff says to put your own mask on before assisting others. This “rule” applies to home healthcare, too: it’s essential that you’re taking care of yourself first, or you won’t have the physical or mental strength to care for another. In this article, we’ll share some information about what it’s like to be a caregiver for a friend or family ..read more

Did you know that nearly 15% of older adults (over 60 years old) suffer from a diagnosed mental disorder like Dementia or depression? Over 20% suffer from a neurological condition. With the aging population expected to grow from 12% to 22%, the need for increased support for seniors’ mental health is rising.  Thankfully, there are ways you can enhance the mental wellness of seniors. We’ll share them in the article and explain the vital role of in-home caregivers in supporting this aging population and their mental wellness.  What is mental health? Mental health refers to our emotiona ..read more

National Superhero Day is celebrated annually on April 28th, and this year, we wanted to put a unique twist on the traditional superhero narrative. Instead of celebrating the fictional heroes, we want to recognize the everyday superheroes who work tirelessly to make a difference in our community. At Hero Home Care, we have a tradition of recognizing one of our caregivers (aka our heroes) every month as our “Superhero of the Month”. These individuals embody our company’s core values and go above and beyond in their work to make a positive impact in the lives of their customers. Since launching ..read more