All Things Seniors: A Podcast For Caregivers

Latest Episodes:

Episode 20: Directly Funded Home Care Mar 27, 2020

Show notes

Did you know that a lot of home care in Canada is free? It is part of our healthcare system and a benefit for Canadians. If you knew this, you are part of a very small percentage of people. Congratulations!

Home and community care services, as it is formerly called, help people to receive care at home rather than in a hospital or long-term care facility and to live as independently as possible in the community.

Home care services may include nursing, personal care such as bathing and dressing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social work, dietitian services, homemaking, and respite services. That is a lot of offering!

As good as our healthcare system is, it is a maze. It is a huge system. At times, it becomes overwhelming. And even on good days, it has its challenges. There are very few people in Canada who understand the healthcare system really well due to their work, their research, and their community.

We are very fortunate to have one such person with us here today, Dr. Christine Kelly. Dr. Kelly is part of community health services and she is a research affiliate with the Centre on Aging at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Kelly is nationally and internationally recognised for her expertise on the subject of direct funded home care in Canada.

Topics:

What disability activism is
How she got involved with direct funded home care
On people’s understanding of the word, care
The differences between traditional and direct funded home care models
The history of direct funded home care
What makes direct funded home care different from others
The benefits and drawbacks of direct funded home care
Discoveries and observations from their research
True stories about the relationships between family self-managers and workers
The program’s supporters
Why the program has not been promoted as a mainstream in Canada
What niche program means
The current obstacles and concerns of the program
How the program works in terms of races and genders
Her professional tips when choosing a home care worker
The action item she gave
On her book, The Aging-Disability Nexus

Quotes:

“Having that match is what makes the workers very happy and what makes the family very happy.”

“It’s not for everybody but it is a good option.”

“If you decide to get into this path, make sure it is for you.”

“You determine what kind of experience you are looking for.”

Links:

Host’s email: Rafiq@SeniorsPodcast.com

Sponsor’s Link - Right at Home: www.RightAtHomeCanada.com/Winnipeg

All Things Senior’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/AllThingsSeniors

Christine's Website: www.ChristineKelly.ca

Christine's Email: Christine.Kelly@umanitoba.ca

Christine’s book: Mobilizing Metaphor: Art, Culture, and Disability Activism in Canada

Did You Know Segment:

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/home-continuing-care/home-community-care.html

Episode 19: Transportation For Seniors & Its Role In Purposeful Aging Mar 20, 2020

Show notes

Did you know that driving is the primary mode of transportation for a large majority of Canadian adults including seniors ages 65 to 74? Almost 70% reported driving their own vehicles as their primary means of transportation. Thirty percent of seniors 85 years old and older also relied on driving as their main mode of transportation.

More than one in five seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or dementia drove in the previous months and 17% reported driving as their main form of transportation. Continuing to drive even with mild visual or cognitive limitations does not always increase risk but driving with significant impairment is the problem.

The challenge is to ensure seniors who should no longer drive have access to affordable and appropriate alternatives to meet their transportation needs. Transportation is important for their independence, social engagement, and their overall health. However, driving has to be safe not just for them but for everyone else as well. Surely, this is a complex matter.

To help put things in perspective, we have with us Samantha Rodeck. Samantha is a community development consultant working with TONS (Transportation Options Network for Seniors). For the past several years, her work focused on community capacity building within the nonprofit sector, working specifically with community groups supporting older people.

Samantha educates, supports, and inspires individuals to live a positive fulfilling life and continues to work to give way to individuals who are often not heard.

Topics:

On people who are no longer able to drive
Transportation options available
The role community resource coordinators play
Role medical professionals have to ensure drivers stay safe on the road
Age an older adult should stop driving
Her thoughts on self-driving cars
Her tips to make the whole process easier
Her thoughts on technology companies providing another mode of transportation for people

Links:

Host’s email: Rafiq@SeniorsPodcast.com

Sponsor’s Link - Right at Home: www.RightAtHomeCanada.com/Winnipeg

All Things Senior’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/AllThingsSeniors

Samantha's Website: www.TonsMB.org

Samantha's Email: info@TonsMB.org

Samantha’s Twitter: @options_network

Did You Know Segment: https://www.ctvnews.ca/features/more-seniors-dying-on-canadian-roads-than-any-other-group-1.3821118

https://www.conferenceboard.ca/temp/51db4b64-3857-45f8-ac99-c9265cd1ab59/8293_ManagingMobility_BR.pdf

Discussion Topics References During Episode:

https://www.ctvnews.ca/features/made-in-canada-solutions-to-seniors-dying-on-the-roads-1.3822357

https://www.wired.com/story/stop-saying-driverless-cars-will-help-old-people/

Episode 18: Medication, Diabetes and Personal Pharmacist Mar 13, 2020

Show notes

Did you know that 76% of seniors living at home and 97% of those living in healthcare institutions are taking some form of medication? Two-thirds of Canadians over 65 also have one or more different prescriptions and a quarter of them have ten or more.

Pharmacists are integral members of the healthcare team and they play a significant role in seniors' care. They are readily accessible to offer advice and information about medications, monitor their use, and work with physicians and other healthcare providers to manage and improve drug therapy and enhance the patients’ quality of life.

Today we have with us a seasoned pharmacist, Jason Hoeppner. Jason graduated from the University of Manitoba Faculty of Pharmacy in 2001. He worked for 10 years at St. Boniface Hospital Pharmacy department before starting his own pharmacy, The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in 2012.

Jason also completed his advanced cardiology pharmacy practice program at the University of Toronto in 2008. He is also a certified diabetes educator.

Topics:

His role within the healthcare team as a pharmacist
How he communicates with other healthcare professionals
The database he is using
The ideal pharmacy to hire as a personal pharmacist
On people who use natural medications/supplements
On cannabis-based medications
How to get cannabis-based medications
Best time to get vaccines before travelling
Kind of care available that’s part of the free healthcare system
On getting blood work done
On testing strips
Responsibility of patients when they visit a doctor
Tips/advice for listeners in terms of their approach to medication and drugs management for their loved ones
What polypharmacy means
The role of a pharmacists/family caregivers in initiating the conversation of reducing medications
Step people need to do that will benefit them and their loved ones

Links:

Host’s email: Rafiq@SeniorsPodcast.com

Sponsor’s Link - Right at Home: www.RightAtHomeCanada.com/Winnipeg

All Things Senior’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/AllThingsSeniors

Jason's Website: www.MedicineShoppeWinnipeg.ca

Jason's Email: ms0331@store.medicineshoppe.ca

Jason’s Instagram: @medshoppeosbrne

Jason’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/MedicineShoppeOsborne/

Did You Know Segment: https://hospitalnews.com/the-role-of-the-pharmacist-in-senior-care/

Episode 17: Medical Cannabis 101 - Myths and Uses Mar 06, 2020

Show notes

Did you know that according to Stats Canada, people aged 65 and older are Canada's fastest growing group of cannabis users? Additionally, there are 10 times more seniors using cannabis today than in 2012.

Despite this increase there still remains a large population of older adults that grew up in an era where pot, weed, marijuana or whatever it was called was not legal and hence, there are questions or misconceptions. So we thought that cannabis 101 discussion especially from the perspective of older adults should be done.

Today, we invited Dr. Arash Taghvai on the show. Dr. Arash is an international medical graduate who works at Apollo Cannabis Clinic in Toronto, Canada. His duty is to support patients who are looking to improve their quality of life with medical cannabis.

Apollo Cannabis Clinic prescribes medical cannabis for patients suffering from conditions such as chronic pain, sleep issues, and PDSD. They also educate patients about this method of alternative medicine.

Topics:

Different terminologies of cannabis
Difference between THC and CBD
The myths about cannabis
How to approach cannabis medication for those who have not used it before
Process when prescribing cannabis-based medications to patients
The advantages of using medical cannabis
The best ways to consume cannabis
The high impact of cannabis on many common diseases
On cannabis-based medications

Links:

Host’s email: Rafiq@SeniorsPodcast.com

Sponsor’s Link - Right at Home: www.RightAtHomeCanada.com/Winnipeg

All Things Senior’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/AllThingsSeniors

Arash's Website: www.ApolloCannabis.ca

Arash's Email: Arash@ApolloResearch.ca

Arash’s Instagram: ApolloCannabisClinic

Did You Know Segment: https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/seniors-are-canada-s-fastest-growing-group-of-cannabis-users-statcan-1.4665383

Episode 16: “Caregiving Changes Relationships” Feb 28, 2020

Show notes

Did you know that there are over 6 million family caregivers in Canada? Over 50% of family caregivers are themselves over the age of 45. That means most of them are managing careers as well as kids along with being a caregiver.

Many family caregivers don’t have formal caregiving training so I really applaud people and organisations who help educate caregivers. One such educator is with us today and her name is Debra Hallisey.

Currently, Debra’s most important role is being her mother's caregiver for the past 5 years. She took on that role after seeing her father go through congestive heart failure.

Losing her job due to caregiving issues prompted Debra to create "Advocate for Mom & Dad.” Her mission is to educate family caregivers and provide answers to basic caregiving questions like where to start, what to do next, etc. She also uses her blog, book, and work to help other caregivers like her.

Topics:

How caregivers can change relationships
How she created new ways of engaging with her mom as a daughter
On empowering her mom
One thing she will tell family caregivers not to do
What they can do to make their lives as family caregivers easier
How caregiving can change relationships
Why saying no is something every caregiver should learn
How to approach financial challenges when playing the role of a caregiver
Her advice to caregivers who are not good in budgeting

Links:

Host’s email: Rafiq@SeniorsPodcast.com

Sponsor’s Link - Right at Home: www.RightAtHomeCanada.com/Winnipeg

All Things Senior’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/AllThingsSeniors

Debra's Website: www.advocateformomanddad.com

Debra's Email: hallisdl@gmail.com

Debra’s Twitter: @advocatemomdad

Debra’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/advocateformomdad

Debra’s Book: “Your Caregiver Relationship Contract: How to navigate the minefield of new roles and expectations”

Did You Know Segment: https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/community-resources/statistics-in-family-caregiving/

Episode 15: “Parkinsons: Living Your Best” Feb 21, 2020

Show notes

Did you know that Parkinson's disease is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease? To date, an estimated 7 to 10 million people worldwide have Parkinson's disease. The prevalence of the disease ranges from 41 people per hundred thousand in the fourth decade of life. More than 100, 000 people afflicted with the disease are 80 years old and above.

Men are 1.5 times more likely to have Parkinson's than women. The disease affects the patient's quality of life. For starters, it can make social interactions difficult and might also affect their financial condition. However, a few people come out stronger despite the challenges brought about by the condition and help others achieve the same feat. One such amazing human being is with us today, Tim Hague Sr.

Tim is a retired nurse of 25 plus years. Nowadays, he devotes his time to professional speaking and writing. Tim is the founder of U-Turn Parkinson's. He is also the author of the bestselling book "Perseverance: The Seven Skills You Need to Survive, Thrive, and Accomplish More Than You Ever Imagined." He has spoken for TEDx and he’s sought-after across North America for his motivational and inspiring topics like "Live Your Best" and "The Power of Perseverance."

Even after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s at just 46 years old, Tim and his son still won the 1st season of the reality television series “The Amazing Race Canada.” Tim is also considered an outspoken and effective advocate for people living with Parkinson's around the world.

Topics:

What Parkinson's disease is
How he got into The Amazing Race Canada
How U-Turn Parkinson’s came about
How to live one’s best life even with Parkinson's
What the word perseverance means for him
How his family has been supporting him
A story that helps improve one’s quality of life
The form of exercise that has helped him
The biggest social challenge people with Parkinson's disease face

Links:

Host’s Email Address: Rafiq@SeniorsPodcast.com
Sponsor’s Link - Right at Home: www.RightAtHomeCanada.com/Winnipeg
All Things Senior’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/AllThingsSeniors

Tim's Website: www.timsr.ca
Tim's Email Address: tim@timsr.ca
Tim’s Twitter: @timhaguesr
U-Turn Parkinson’s: www.uturnparkinsons.org
Parkinson's Canada: www.parkinson.ca

Tim’s Book: Perseverance: The Seven Skills You Need to Survive, Thrive, and Accomplish More Than You Ever Imagined By Tim Hague Sr.

Did You Know Segment: https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/parkinsons-disease-statistics/

Episode 14: “Purpose vs. Paycheck, in Retirement Years” Feb 14, 2020

Show notes

According to a 2018 Stats-Canada report, over 30% of people aged 60 and above are working or are looking for work. The report also indicated that over 50% are working or looking for work out of necessity. Freedom 55 is becoming less and less of a reality as more people are now working past their 50s and 60s.

To help us understand some of the reasons why many older adults choose to continue working even past retirement age, we have Chris Farrell. Chris is a senior economics contributor at Marketplace, an American radio program that focuses on economy, business, and the events that influence them.

Chris is also an economics commentator for the Minnesota Public Radio as well as host of the series “Conversations on the Creative Economy.” He also writes for PBS Next Avenue and The Star Tribune. Chris has been in the industry for over 25 years and he definitely knows what he’s doing.

Topics:

Why people no longer prefer conventional retirement
How his book came about
Why people are not happy in their jobs
How people should prepare themselves so they're better equipped to work in their retirement years
Trends he sees more people are doing in their retirement years
How he sees ageism and age discrimination
Why some people who are 60 are still considering starting a business
On having a support system in their entrepreneurial journey
Acknowledging the labour shortage at a policy level
What young people should do to become better entrepreneurs in their older years

Quote:

"Don't invest a lot of money, invest a lot of time.”

Links:

Host’s email: Rafiq@SeniorsPodcast.com
Sponsor’s Link - Right at Home: www.RightAtHomeCanada.com/Winnipeg
All Things Senior’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/AllThingsSeniors

Chris’s Articles on PBS Next Avenue: www.nextavenue.org/writer/chris-farrell/
Chris’s Articles on Star Tribune: www.startribune.com/chris-farrell/16828336/
Chris on MPR News: https://www.mprnews.org/people/chris-farrell
Chris’s Website: www.ChrisFarrell.net
Chris’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-farrell-596ab76/
Chris’s Twitter: @CFarrellEcon
Chris’s Email: CFarrell@mpr.org
Chris’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chris-Farrell-272463121638/
Chris’s Book: Purpose and a Paycheck: Finding Meaning, Money, and Happiness in the Second Half of Life

Did You Know Segment: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/71-222-x/71-222-x2018003-eng.htm

Episode 13: “Palliative Care - Being Alive vs. Living A Life” Feb 07, 2020

Show notes

Did you know that over 75% of Canadians want to die at home? A new report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information also revealed that people who access palliative home care services in their last year of life are 2.5 times more likely to be able to do so. Yet, another report tells us that each year, an estimated 40 million people around the world are in need of palliative care and only 14% actually receive it.

In this episode, we have Dr. Tim Ihrig. He is the Chief Medical Officer at Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care. He is also the founder and CEO of Ihrig MD & Associates. Dr. Ihrig has been recognised internationally for combining clinical and administrative experience to improve health care coordination and care delivery systems for the most vulnerable individuals.

Dr. Ihrig's featured TED Talk “What We Can Do to Die Well" has been viewed more than 1 million times globally. He also co-authored "Palliative Care and Symptom Management.”

Topics:

What palliative care means
What he meant by hierarchy of needs
On giving people a choice to make life decisions
The value healthcare systems currently offer
The difference between “being alive” and “living a life”
What palliative care in the healthcare system looks like
Why people are not being referred to palliative care
When is the right time to get palliative care
The rights of the family caregiver from a legal standpoint
On his book "Palliative Care and Symptom Management”

Links:

Host’s email: Rafiq@SeniorsPodcast.com
Sponsor’s Link - Right at Home: www.RightAtHomeCanada.com/Winnipeg
All Things Senior’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/AllThingsSeniors
Tim’s TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/timothy_ihrig_what_we_can_do_to_die_well?language=en
Tim’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ihrigmd/
Tim’s Twitter: @ihrigmd
Tim’s Email: Tim@ihrigmd.com
Tim’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ihrigMD/
Tim’s Book Contribution: The Art Of Healthcare Innovation by Christina Warner, Essayist Tim Ihrig

Did You Know Segment: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/palliative-care

Episode 12: Fall Prevention In Senior Years - Exercise Now Jan 31, 2020

Show notes

Did you know that according to aging.com, every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall? More than 300, 000 people are hospitalised each year from broken hips and 95% of these fractures are the result of a fall.

The average cost of treating a fall is $30,000. There are many factors that contribute to falls including impaired vision, poor lighting, slippery floors, uneven surfaces, etc. but research shows that physical strength and posture are among the leading causes.

Today we have Eric Daw, a personal trainer who works with seniors to help them become more active and help them improve their functional movement. He also works with seniors either individually or in group settings at various locations including Michael Garron Hospital, The Badminton and Racquet Club, Revera Senior Living, and many more.

Eric is a functional movement specialist as well as an older adult specialist.

Topics:

His approach to working with seniors who are concerned about falling
How he motivates people in their 40s or 50s to be more active
His suggestion to people who can only spend a limited time in the gym
Different types of exercises that can help one become active in the later years of their lives
Tips on how to motivate older people to be more active
How he measures weight loss goals
When is it considered too late to start exercising
His thoughts on age-centric classes versus multi-generational classes
One tip he would give to people in their 30s to 60s who want to avoid falls
The one thing he learned from working with seniors

Quote:

“We’re always a perfect age to do anything.”

Links:

Host’s email: Rafiq@SeniorsPodcast.com
Sponsor’s Link - Right at Home: www.RightAtHomeCanada.com/Winnipeg
All Things Senior’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/AllThingsSeniors
Eric's Email: info@omni-fitt.com
Eric’s Website: www.Omni-Fitt.com
Eric’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeMakeLifeEasier
Eric’s Instagram: OmniFitt - https://www.instagram.com/omnifitt/?hl=en

Did You Know Segment: https://www.aging.com/falls-fact-sheet/

Episode 11: Aging and Memory Loss Jan 24, 2020

Show notes

Did you know that according to a stats Canada report from 2016, as of 2011, there are 340, 000 Canadians who are living with dementia? Close to 50% of the time, the primary or informal caregiver for these people with dementia was a spouse. It affects their marriage, their family, the finances, and their lives in general.

We are so pleased that today we have with us Angela Gentile. She is a social worker working in the clinical side of things. She has 25 years of experience under her belt. Angela has also written various books as well as various other pieces on multiple platforms. She also manages and co-administers Facebook groups.

Topics:

On writing a book about somebody with dementia from the perspective of the spouse
What she found out while working with women who are caring for their husbands
Some of the symptoms of dementia
How to look after people with dementia
Caregiver risks
How family and society as a whole should take care of the caregivers
How early diagnosis can help in the long run
What people/society should be doing more/differently

Quotes:

"We have to really go with where the person is at."
"Trying to minimize the arguing is the key I believe."
"There's lots of different layers that can happen to caregivers. Lots of different layers of feelings."

Links: