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6 Reasons Why Birdwatching Should Be Your New Hobby Tag: family support

One of the most relaxing and rewarding activities that nearly anyone can do is birdwatching. Vancouver Island especially is a paradise for birds, with hundreds of species making it their permanent or transient home. This is due to the mild climate and our geography offering them a huge diversity of habitats, from dense old growth cedar and douglas fir trees to rocky and sandy shorelines to tidal mud flats to inland rocky hilltops and Garry oak meadows. Birdwatching is a great hobby to get involved with, and we’ll explore why in this blog.

Cooking Tips When You Have Limited Mobility Tag: family support

woman in wheelchair cooking in kitchen

Cooking is a valuable activity, not just in terms of what it provides with regards to nutrition, but the ancillary benefits it can bring as an enjoyable and expressive hobby. As a key part of your routine, you’ll want it to be as accessible and enjoyable as possible. 

For those with limited mobility this can be a challenging proposition, however it’s not something to be intimidated by. It’s also not something that you necessarily will need to make major renovations or changes to accommodate, as with the right approach and minor changes, you can mitigate challenges and ensure that cooking is an enjoyable and relaxing experience. 

Stair Lift vs. Home Lift: Which One is Right for You? Tag: family support

Stair Lift

For those with mobility issues and impairments, one of the biggest daily challenges can be having to navigate getting up and down stairs. Luckily there are options available that can make any home a more accessible place and alleviate this issue — usually these options will come down to either a stair lift or an elevator. 

There are of course differences in cost, installation, and the features available, so if you’re weighing up your options and trying to choose between a stair lift or an elevator for your home, then this is the blog for you. We’ll break down some of the key differences so that you can make an informed decision and choose the option that best suits your needs. 

Accessible Date Night Ideas Tag: family support

wheelchair couple

In addition to tasty food and a charming atmosphere, ramps, lifts, and access areas should be at the top of your date night list. While there are unfortunately some activities and venues that aren’t going to be possible to participate in, there are dozens of other fun date ideas. So whether it’s for Valentine’s Day or any other day of the year when you want to have a romantic date, here are a few date ideas that everyone can usually* enjoy, regardless of mobility.

Tips on Efficiently Downsizing and Decluttering Tag: family support

Couple packing boxes.

Whether you’re moving to an assisted living residence, retirement community or just to a smaller condo, downsizing can be a daunting and overwhelming process. One of the most difficult aspects is deciding what to bring with you to your new home, but with proper planning and organization, it can be a manageable process. Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to organizing your belongings.

Tips to Have an Accessible Halloween Tag: family support

elderly woman and young child with witches hat

Halloween is one of the more exciting times of the year. A great excuse for people of all ages to immerse themselves in the spooky, the odd, and to bring out the inner child in all of us. It’s also a great time for families to get together, and if you’re thinking about hosting a party for friends and relatives this October, you’ll also want to make sure that everyone has a good time! 

Not all Halloween activities are completely accessible or suitable for elderly or disabled relatives, but with a little thought and planning, as well as this guide on how to make an accessible Halloween for people of all ages, you'll be sure to put on a memorable party. With that in mind, here are our tips for hosting an accessible Halloween party. 

Common Scams Targeting Seniors To Beware Of Tag: family support

Old woman in front of computer

Scams have always been around, but in the present day, with the proliferation of internet scams and their increasing complexity, it’s important to ensure that any elderly relatives are being cautious. Scammers will often target elderly people specifically, hoping to prey on their lack of technological savvy or take advantage of any confusion. 

Scams can come in a wide range of forms, from claiming to sell a product or service, offering an investment opportunity, or even catfishing and relationship scams. 

No matter what the scam is, the preventative measures are the same: it’s a matter of knowledge, education, and exercising caution. 

If concerned about a loved one, make sure you keep an eye out for any signs of large cash withdrawals or suspicious communications. And make sure you’re knowledgeable when it comes to scams by reading the rest of this article on some of the primary scams that can target the elderly.

Six Signs Your Elderly Loved One Needs Extra Support Tag: family support

Aging is a reality that we all have to face eventually, and one of the things that must be considered is what help our elderly relatives will need. As they get older, there is a strong chance that they will require some assistance with some parts of their lives. 

The help needed is very individual from person to person, but often it starts as a gradual change. Therefore, it’s important to look out for signs that might mean more support is needed, as being aware can help prevent potential accidents or downward health spirals. 

Sometimes it can be difficult to actively seek help, so here are six signs that could suggest someone is needing extra support in their life.

7 Tips For Staying Safe in the Sun for Seniors Tag: family support

Seniors in the sun

With the summer, comes glorious sunshine, but with that also comes the need for everyone to ensure they stay safe — and especially that they protect their skin so that they can make the most of the weather in comfort. 

This is even more important as we get older, as the risk of developing skin cancer increases, as well as other risks such as skin aging and eye damage. 

To ensure you’re well protected, read this list of the best tips and techniques for staying safe in the sun this summer. 

How to Help Combat Loneliness Tag: family support

The last two years have thrown a lot of issues into the spotlight—including a number of things that people are often reluctant to talk about, and loneliness is one of the most important ones.

We know that many of our customers are older, and more at risk, and for these people, the last two years have often been difficult when it comes to isolation and being separated from friends and family. What’s more, as we get older, and mobility and independence become greater concerns, it can be hard to see people as often as we’d like, contributing to a feeling of loneliness. 

Not only does loneliness greatly affect our mental health and well-being, but these effects can also take a toll on our physical health. Luckily there are a number of steps you can take to help counteract this problem, some of which we’re going to explore in this post.