Jessica Tsang of Direct Health Solutions talks about finding innovative ways to address health-care problems
Jessica Tsang is founder and director of Direct Health Solutions. What is Direct Health Solutions and how did it come about? Tsang: Direct Health Solutions is a medical house call company that focuses on providing holistic person-centred care. My grandmother has always expressed the importance for her to live in her own home. As her…
Unbefriended,’ these isolated seniors require more help to safeguard their access to basic daily needs, including companionship, and improve their quality of life
By Stephanie A. Chamberlain and Carole A. Estabrooks University of Alberta What happens when a person grows older and can no longer make health and financial decisions for themselves – but also doesn’t have family or friends who can make those decisions on their behalf? Health and social services use a hard-hitting term to describe…
As Canada's population continues to age, there is an increasingly critical need to support seniors living at home. The upcoming Aging in Place|Home Modification Conference in Calgary is bringing organizations together to talk about how to deal with the social issue. “A cultural shift in how we view living as we age is necessary. Our…
Malnutrition is too common in vulnerable populations. We need to remedy this by adapting the new guide
“What do you think of the new Canada’s Food Guide?” is a question I’ve been asked a lot since Health Canada launched new guidance on how the nation should eat. I have reservations, particularly when it comes to the diets of those living with frailty and chronic illness. The guide recommends a plant-focused diet but…
CIBC study says 30% of women have reduced or stopped saving as a direct result of care responsibilities
A new study by CIBC says 69 per cent Canadian women make significant financial sacrifices, including putting their careers on hold to care for loved ones, which can put them at a considerable disadvantage to men when it comes to saving for their retirement. The study also found that 30 per cent of women say they've…
As physicians, we see death made worse and more painful every day by poor advance care planning
By Paul Hébert and George Heckman Canadian Frailty Network Are you or a loved one aging, perhaps with a chronic heart or lung condition that limits daily activities? Do you have an older parent in a nursing home or who needs assistance with daily living activities? If so, read on and make the pledge. As…
Kim O’Brien of United Active Living talks about the physical and cognitive benefits of arts and cultural programs
Kim O’Brien is president and CEO of United Active Living Inc. What is United Active Living? O’Brien: United Active Living is a Calgary-based company that offers older adults the opportunity to live in a community that promotes lifelong learning and creativity while also providing a variety of living options including independent living, assisted living and…
New Frontiers in Research Fund supported valuable, long-term work. The program replacing it leaves huge gaps
By Russell Williams and John Muscedere The federal government has announced the end of funding for its Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program. This is not good news for Canadians. The program has long been touted as the jewel of the federal government’s sciences research support – and programs around the world have been…
Calgary company meeting a growing demographic need in the community with a transparent, interconnected service
Calgary-based Vytality At Home is launching an app-based home care service that offers seniors new options to remain in their homes. With Calgary’s senior population growing three times faster than any other demographic, and with limited choices for personalized care in their homes, Vytality is providing on-demand technology to connect families with a range of…
Aging carries with it increased risk of depression, often as the result of other conditions and even as a side-effect of medication
Depression among senior citizens rarely gets get much public attention but it is a significant problem – and it can be addressed. In a culture that prizes youth and activity above most other things, the whole idea of aging is often considered depressing. So it is not uncommon for us to feel that loneliness, sadness and even…