We often associate traumatic brain injuries (TBI) with youth sports or professional athletes. But did you know aging adults face a high risk of brain injury?

People aged 75 and older have the highest rates of TBI-related hospitalizations and death. The leading cause of TBI-related hospitalizations and deaths is falls.  Falls are also the number one concern for adults as they age.

The risk increases as the rate of recovery is much slower for older adults, who are sometimes forced to stay in the hospital for long periods of time following an incident like a fall..

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, adults 60 years or older account for 29% of all head injury hospitalizations in the country. The rate of brain injury (both traumatic and non-traumatic) increases in older age groups, with the highest rate being in the range of 85 plus. 

Because aging adults are at a higher risk of falling and acquiring a concussion, taking preventative measures must be considered. 

Here are some tips for preventing TBI in older adults:

Create an exercise plan

Through light to moderate exercise plans, aging adults can improve their balance and mobility. Not only will it help them mentally in their overall confidence, but also physically by keeping their body active.

Whether it be a daily walk, yoga, or other light activity to keep their body moving, you will see the difference in how they move around.

Improving balance, flexibility, and overall strength will improve their mobility and help reduce the risk of falls. Also, ensuring that your loved one wears sensible shoes that are both comfortable and stable is very important!!

Review medicines with professionals

Medications are one of the most common causes of increased fall risk in aging adults. Both prescription and non-prescription medicines have side effects that are important to be aware of.

Make sure you are informed as to what medications your loved one may be taking as some medications may  lead to falls. Medication-induced side effects such as lightheadedness, slowed reflexes, loss of balance, or drowsiness can all contribute to falling.

Depending on the type of medication taken – brain, blood pressure, blood sugar levels – it is important to note such medications may cause confusion and lightheadedness upon standing up. Be sure to understand the effects and keep your loved one informed on how to respond.

Make home as safe as possible

Many head injuries come from falls that could have been avoided. Ensuring your loved one lives in a safe space with tripping hazards minimized, can help prevent potential injuries. 

Ensuring rooms have enough lights to avoid tripping, removing furniture hazards such as small rugs, and installing handrails or grab bars are great ways to assist your loved one when you are not there to help.

Taking proactive steps is an easy solution to limit the risk for your loved one. It will also give you peace of mind knowing you took the preventative steps necessary to minimize the risk of a fall.

Schedule yearly eye exams

Poor vision is linked to increased risk of falls as it impairs balance. As we age we are at risk of developing more eye-related conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and other eye diseases.

Those with poor vision are more likely to experience falls as their depth perception, ability to recognize obstacles, and contrast sensitivity are all impacted.

Doctors suggest yearly eye exams for aging adults to ensure their prescription is up-to-date and any new eye-related conditions are monitored.

Utilize professional services 

When it comes to caring for aging adults, it can be difficult to juggle so many responsibilities. Remember – you are not alone! There are many professional services ready to help prevent injury for your aging loved one.

Allowing your parents the ability to age in place is possible with services like ours. At iAccompany, our nursing professionals accompany your aging parent to, during, and from all appointments.

Our nursing professionals will give your loved one peace of mind by knowing they have a compassionate nurse by their side. It will also give you peace of mind to know they are not alone, and that they are in professional and capable hands.

Learn more about our service by visiting our about us page.

This week we will hear from Barbara, who enjoyed her recent accompaniment with an iAccompany nursing professional. 

Barbara lives in Northern Manitoba and is a member of the Pukatawagan First Nation. Oftentimes, when it comes to healthcare it is more difficult for Indigenous communities to get the help they need because of the geographical distance to the city and its doctors. 

“Having a nurse beside you to interpret everything being said is very helpful,” said Barbara. 

“Patients don’t always know what’s going on with their physical assessments when it’s done.”

When asked about what made iAccompany such a unique service, Barbara noted the support. When she didn’t understand what the doctor was saying, she had the opportunity to ask the nurse who was there with her. That was a key aspect for her and what made iAccompany stand out from other similar services.

Barbara also enjoyed the report she received via email following the appointment. The nurse was able to capture exactly what occurred in the appointment which was great for Barbara and her family to review. 

The language barrier is a huge concern for people living in the north that must go to the city for certain medical issues. 

“A lot of Northern First Nations communities experience challenges while they are out in the city. Many of our people that go into the urban centers to see a specialist or go for a regular checkup, they don’t know English,” said Barbara. “English is a second language to all indigenous people – this is a very important aspect of the iAccompany project.”

The peace of mind that comes from having someone with you is a huge component of iAccompany as well. Not only does it make you feel less alone, but it also puts someone in the room to help keep you emotionally stable.

“If the doctor were to tell you you have cancer, and there is no one in the office with you, it will do something mentally to you,” said Barbara. “You’ll start worrying about what’s going to happen and those kinds of things – having a nurse there to keep you calm and understand the doctor’s instructions helps.”

“The elderly population often have family members who bring them to appointments. However, it’s not the same as using someone who is a professional and not related to you.”

“For example, if you were going with your mother to an appointment, and she was told that she had cancer, you would probably be very emotional and unable to collect the right information from the doctor. Sometimes it’s too close for you to comprehend.”

Having an iAccompany nursing professional at your side is the physical support you need.  They understand the medical terminology and can calmly and accurately present a summary of the appointment in the post-visit report. 

“It was very nice to know I had support during the appointment. It is pretty scary for people to go into appointments alone and they have to talk to the doctor and then they don’t really know what’s happening with their medical condition.”

For people in the north, the time between appointments can sometimes be detrimental depending on your condition. With iAccompany, you get a next-day detailed report outlining what was discussed as well as an indication of the follow-up required. 

The next steps detailed in the report allow you to plan accordingly for lab work, follow-up appointments, or anything else suggested by the doctor.

“Because of all the disparities in terms of healthcare that we experience in the north – we need services like this to help those with multiple conditions,” said Barbara.

Barbara mentioned statistics for people visiting doctors outside the community. 

“For one year, we have close to four thousand people who travel to the cities for medical appointments. Probably one-third of that population will go with a family member, but two-thirds will go on their own.”

For Barbara, the two-thirds is the group she is concerned about. 

For an Indigenous community, many of their members fall through the healthcare cracks. Because of the language barrier, when people go to the bigger cities to attend appointments, they do not really understand what the doctor is telling them.

“iAccompany would help the health system immensely.”

iAccompany serves as an ally to the Indigenous peoples – as our caring and compassionate nurses are there to assist you. Learn more by visiting www.iaccompany.ca today

**The names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals depicted in this article**

This week we will be introducing a series called “Caregiver Spotlight” where we will interview caregivers and share their personal experiences coping with aging parents and the healthcare system.

Our first caregiver to be featured is Linda, who lives in Ontario. Linda is a mom of three who is the primary caregiver to her aging mother, who will be turning 89 next month.

Her mother is lucky enough to still be in her home after 59 years. When she immigrated to Canada in the 60s, she settled on a house that she is still able to call home today.

However, as independent as she has been, thanks to her good physical health, in recent years it has become more challenging.

“It becomes more difficult to make decisions as a family – some days she is happy in her home and comfortable. Other days she recognizes that she needs a little more help.”

For Linda, coming to a final decision that is discussed between her siblings and mother has proven to be a challenge. Some days are better than others for her mother, especially since the start of COVID-19. 

With community social outings and church services canceled, being alone at home started to make her mother feel isolated and lonely, even in a home that has become such a comfortable place for her.

While children and grandchildren visiting once in a while is great, it is not enough and has become a huge contributor of stress to members of the family.

“It has been very stressful for me. I am constantly worried about her falling, or anything else happening with no one around,” said Linda. “There are not many options other than moving her to a retirement home, or getting her at home care.”

With English not being her mom’s primary language, Linda is also aware of the other barriers to getting her more help.  Care givers would have to speak her language in order for her mom to feel comfortable and understand.. 

While the mother would like to age in place, the adult children have a difficult decision to make. They went to visit numerous retirement communities that were great – they offered activities, spacious rooms, and around the clock care that cannot be matched at home.

However, Linda’s mom was not interested in the services and still wanted to live at home in her neighbourhood that she loves so much.

What should Linda do?

For many people currently in the sandwich generation, it gets difficult to juggle the responsibilities of caring for aging parents while still being a parent to your own children. 

It is easy to become overwhelmed, stressed, and start to experience feelings of guilt for not always being able to be there in person.

“It has caused me many sleepless nights if I’m being honest,” said Linda. “As the primary caregiver I am constantly thinking about her health and booking the appropriate appointments. Then trying to plan the appointments to fit my busy schedule to ensure I can take her. It can really take a toll on my own health at times.”

Being a caregiver is a difficult job. It can be rewarding at times but can add a lot of stress to your life as you are constantly filled with guilt for not doing enough, worrying when you can’t be there. 

“I started to feel like a taxi that was on a strict schedule of bringing my mom to appointments or the grocery store instead of just getting to relax and enjoy our time doing things we liked to do like cook together or tend to the garden.”

It is important to practice self-care and to recognize the signs of when you need help yourself. Talk to your family, talk to a support group, or hire a professional service for a little extra help when you need it.

For Linda, having professionals help with day-to-day activities gave her the peace of mind to know her mom was in capable hands which helped to ease Linda’s load.

With help, Linda was able to spend more quality time with her mom to really take in the moments that matter, instead of adding stress and worry to her day. 

“Asking for help was difficult for me as I felt it was my job or responsibility to handle on my own, but when I did I was able to really enjoy the time I spent with my mom,” said Linda. “And at the end of the day, spending quality time is the most important part as those are the memories I will cherish.”

When distance separates you and your family, life can sometimes be more challenging. Staying involved, scheduling visits, and using technology to communicate can present many challenges for families.

In these situations, being prepared is key. Having support through family and friends as well as professional help when necessary is important to ensure a smooth transition for your loved one as they begin their aging journey.

As members of the sandwich generation, you are watching your kids get older while your parents are simultaneously doing the same. It can be a difficult transition for everyone, as you start to see your parents age and they can no longer do the things they were once able to do.

Whether it be that age starts to catch up, or as they start to see a chronic illness get worse, it can be a stressful and overwhelming time for an adult child – especially those who live a distance away.

If you live out-of-province or abroad, adult children can often feel helpless when it comes to their aging parent(s) healthcare. 

Because you are not around to help with everyday tasks such as grocery shopping or taking them to appointments, you can start to feel isolated or guilty about not doing enough.

Thanks to our service – we can alleviate the stress and guilt you are feeling!

With iAccompany, you can stay actively involved in your parents’ healthcare from wherever you may live. By creating an online profile and booking appointments through our mobile app or website, you can take charge even from a distance.

Once you’ve booked online, one of iAccompany’s compassionate, qualified, and experienced nurses will accompany your loved one to, during, and from their appointment – including sitting in on the visit with the doctor.

This ensures that the nurse is able to record what transpires between your loved one and the doctor – leaving no room for miscommunication.

When distance separates you and your aging parent, it can often be difficult to get all the information. Whether they forget instructions, or leave out key details, our written report ensures that you are well-informed and able to make decisions alongside your family when it comes to your aging parents’ health.

iAccompany is a great tool for families who would like to stay connected through our secure online portal, which can be accessed by family members all over the globe.

If you have siblings that also live away, iAccompany retains all bookings and reports in one secure, convenient location which can be used for future reference by family members who are granted access. This makes it easy for everyone to be actively involved.

Our aging journeys are something everyone in life expects, but no one is really prepared for as it happens.  It doesn’t have to be that way.

With iAccompany, you can be involved and informed when it comes to your aging parents’ health from wherever you call home. 

Say goodbye to the feelings of guilt for not doing ‘enough’, and instead use iAccompany to make the distance between you feel smaller and stay connected in a meaningful way.

As we celebrate Mental Health Week by the Canadian Mental Health Association, we will discuss five tips for taking care of yourself. 

For family caregivers who may be the primary caregiver for a parent, grandparent, child, spouse or any other family member, these tips will be especially handy.  Caregivers experience higher levels of stress due to their many responsibilities.

According to Today’s Caregiver, depression and mental health problems are consistently higher among caregivers than among their non-caregiving peers. 

In order to reduce stress, you must first be able to recognize it. Make time to be in touch with yourself, whether it be through meditation, journaling, or taking a walk with yourself in nature.

Give yourself time to physically and emotionally recharge your battery, as stress can take a toll that may have long-term consequences if left untreated.

Here are five ways to take care of yourself:

1. Exercise

Exercise doesn’t always mean waking up early and going to the gym while consuming a “Rocky-like” diet. If you don’t have the time or energy to go to the gym, commit yourself to just walking outside daily. 

Whether it be for 15 minutes or an hour, be okay with taking that time for yourself to unwind and give your body a well-deserved walk. As the weather gets warmer and the days longer, it makes it even more worthwhile to get out and enjoy the warmer temperature while we can. 

Taking time to connect with the outdoors, absorb some Vitamin D, and breathe in fresh air, can really reset your mood. A daily walk will help your physical and mental health all in one. 

2. Relaxation practices

There are many types of relaxation techniques that can help you manage your stress better. These techniques target your mental health and help to connect your body and mind.

Finding which practice works for you is important, as they can help you cope with your everyday stressors in a more effective and positive way.

Common techniques include deep breathing, mindfulness, massage, yoga, meditation, visualization, and acupuncture.

It is important to note that in order to see the benefits of relaxation techniques, you must actively practice them. It takes time to see results but in the long run, such a  practice will be very beneficial for family caregivers experiencing  stress. 

3. Lighten your load

When possible, look to outsource your list of duties to those around you. Be comfortable delegating responsibilities and really communicating your needs. 

If you have children who can help with household chores, enlist their help. It is important to feel like you have a good support system to help keep you at your best.   Sometimes helping to lighten the load by even doing one simple task, can make a huge difference for a stressed-out caregiver.

If you really feel your mental health suffering, look to professionals. Giving yourself peace of mind knowing you are in capable hands can go a long way in helping your mental state and relieving the guilt you may feel for not doing it all.

4. Eat your brain foods

You have probably heard the phrase “you are what you eat” before. Although your busy schedule might suggest you just stop at the drive thru on the way home, that meal will not offer you any health benefits physically or mentally.

When taking time for yourself, challenge yourself to eat healthy meals that feed your brain power. Incorporating fruits and vegetables into your everyday diet is a great place to start.

People generally resort to eating too much or eating too little when under ample amounts of stress. Eating too much can cause weight gain and health issues, while eating too little does not provide your body the energy you need to keep up. 

Diets full of sugar and processed foods can contribute to poor mental health as it causes inflammation in your body and brain. Instead, look to eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes as they offer great brain benefits. 

5. Get your beauty sleep

Sleep has an incredible impact on our overall health and wellbeing. As many people can attest, feeling tired and groggy is a sensation that many have experienced, and most times no amount of caffeine can make a difference.

Make time for yourself to recharge your body the best way possible: by getting a good night’s sleep. 

Like drinking water and breathing, sleep is an imperative part of being human as we cannot live long without it. Through sleep, our bodies have the ability to repair while allowing our brains the ability to process information. 

Poor sleep leads to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, as well as a weakened immune system. So one thing you can do, if nothing else, is to ensure you are on a good sleep schedule.  One that lets you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.

So there you have it – five tips for giving your mental health a boost. We hope you look to incorporate these tips into your everyday life and start to make them a daily practice.

If you wish to see long-term results and improvements in your mood and mindset, start making changes to your lifestyle today and put yourself first.

If you are not at your best personally, you cannot give others your full love and attention. So take care of yourself and recognize the warning signs when you need to rest and recharge.