YourCare+

CCSMH - About Us This is "CCSMH - About Us" by CCSMH on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

YourCare+ lead Dr. Andrew Costa chatted with Dr. Connie Schumacher about her AMS Healthcare project that looked at the effectiveness of the YourCare+ Check-Up Assessment tool on self-management of care in older adults. Listen to their insightful conversation here: https://ow.ly/uWW150PVbKc

We are thrilled to announce that we are one of the grant recipients of the AGE-WELL and Canadian Frailty Network Catalyst Funding Program in Healthy Aging! Read more here: https://agewell-nce.ca/archives/17194

In collaboration with the Canadian Frailty Network, we are pleased to announce 17 innovative research projects being funded through the inaugural Catalyst Funding Program in Healthy Aging. The projects will drive forward the new Healthy Aging Canada collaborative.

In total, the projects involve 30 project leads and 28 trainees from 18 Canadian universities and research centres across 7 provinces. The total funding for these projects is over $800,000.

Learn more about the program here:
https://agewell-nce.ca/archives/17194

Are you interested in free workshops related to healthy aging?

Find more information in the post below. To register, email Lee-Ann at [email protected] or call 905-777-3837 x 12238 or visit https://coahamilton.ca/event/educational-workshops/

HCoA has developed a series of FREE workshops to inspire older adults 55+ to keep moving! They include: Let’s Ride a Bike; Let’s Take the Bus; Let’s Take a Walk; Let’s Drive a Car; Navigating the Health Care System; and Positive Aging. For more info or to register, email Lee-Ann at [email protected] or call 905-777-3837 x 12238 or visit https://coahamilton.ca/event/educational-workshops/

JUNE 6TH, 7TH, & 8th -> Family Councils as Changemakers Virtual Conference

Featuring keynote presentations from Dr. Samir Sinha, Dr. Alison Kilbourn, and Timothy Caulfield. Full conference details and registration on Eventbrite.

http://ow.ly/FmzY50O5etK

We've updated the My Care Plan tool! Organize care information in one place to quickly delegate tasks to substitute caregivers, family, and friends.

Try it today: https://yourcareplus.ca/learn/my-care-plan

Are you living with complex health conditions or caring for someone whose health is changing?

Learn how Winona and her daughter use the YourCare+ Check-Up Assessment to address Winona's current health concerns.

Complete your Check-Up Assessment today: https://yourcareplus.ca/learn/check-up-assessment

https://youtu.be/WvH30uTfyLo

YourCare+ Check-Up Assessment: Winona's Journey Follow along with Winona and her daughter as they navigate managing Winona's changing care needs at home. This video features the YourCare+ Check-Up Assessme...

Use the YourCare+ Get To Know Me tool to communicate care preferences and the health baseline of the person you care for.

Start your Get To Know Me printable sheet: https://yourcareplus.ca/learn/get-to-know-me

Monitor heart failure symptoms using the YourCare+ Heart Failure Zone Sheet and Daily Weight Log to help recognize if a flare-up or emergency occurs.

Access heart failure tools: https://yourcareplus.ca/learn/heart-failure-tool

Today is !

The Members of Parliament of Canada have unanimously adopted the first Tuesday of April to recognize the importance of the “invisible” unpaid work completed by caregivers every day. This day marks the beginning of our formal recognition of caregivers and their valuable contribution to care recipients, our communities, and our economy.

Carers Canada is hosting 3 webinars today and have many other helpful resources here: https://www.carerscanada.ca/national-caregiver-day-campaigns/

Why do caregivers matter?

There are approximately 8 million caregivers in Canada – that is 1 in 4 Canadians. Most caregivers are between the age of 45-64, and may have long term conditions or disabilities themselves.

Tomorrow is . Visit https://www.carerscanada.ca/national-caregiver-day-campaigns/ for more information and to register for free webinars.

Tuesday, April 4th is

Carers Canada is hosting 3 webinars on Tuesday including:
1) Panel Discussion 1: Valuing the Voice of Caregivers and Patients (10:00am – 11:00am ET)
2) Panel Discussion 2: Grief from the First Step (12:00 - 1:00pm ET)
3) Panel Discussion 3: Conversations throughout the Journey (1:30 - 2:30pm ET)

Visit https://www.carerscanada.ca/national-caregiver-day-campaigns/ to register today!

Tuesday, April 4th is National Caregiver Day. What is National Caregiver Day?

The Members of Parliament of Canada have unanimously adopted the first Tuesday of April to recognize the importance
of the “invisible” unpaid work. Interchangeably known as National Caregiver Day, this day marks the beginning of our formal recognition of caregivers and their valuable contribution to care recipients, our communities and our economy.

Learn more about National Caregiver Day here: https://www.carerscanada.ca/national-caregiver-day-campaigns/

National Caregiver Day National Caregiver Day

Chronic disease management is the act of taking care of one’s health to better manage symptoms of a chronic (or long-term) disease.

Many chronic diseases do not have a cure, however chronic disease management helps people live a full and meaningful life.

We have tools and information to support people manage their chronic disease(s).

Visit the Managing Symptoms education topic on YourCare+: https://yourcareplus.ca/learn/chronic-disease-management

How can you better understand the individual roles of your home care team?

The YourCare+ My Home Care Team tool offers an easy reference to keep you and your team organized.

Start your My Home Care Team printable sheet: https://yourcareplus.ca/learn/my-home-care-team

Quickly acquaint new and unfamiliar care providers with the abilities, needs, and preferences of the person receiving care.

Start your Get To Know Me printable sheet: https://yourcareplus.ca/learn/get-to-know-me

Understanding what home care is and how it works can be a challenge. Especially in the beginning.

Visit Understanding Home Care in the Learn Section of YourCare+. It’s your starting place for navigating home care, understanding the roles of home care providers, and preparing for common challenges: https://yourcareplus.ca/learn/what-is-home-care

There are many different long-term (chronic) diseases that are common in older adults.

YourCare+ provides resources and education on Heart Failure, COPD, and Dizziness.

Explore the Managing Symptoms education topic on YourCare+ to learn about chronic disease management and download helpful tools: https://yourcareplus.ca/learn/chronic-disease-management

Explore new or helpful ways to manage your stress using the YourCare+ Self-Care Strategies Quiz.

Take the Self-Care Strategies quiz: https://yourcareplus.ca/learn/self-care-quiz

How can someone living with heart failure avoid trips to the hospital? Use the YourCare+ Heart Failure Zone Sheet & Daily Weight Log to identify flare-ups early to keep the person you care for healthy at home.

Track heart failure symptoms: https://yourcareplus.ca/learn/heart-failure-tool

5 tips for caregiver health:
1. Take at least 15 minutes a day to care for yourself
2. Check-in with yourself daily
3. Find safe outlets to express your honest feelings
4. Ask for help
5. Eat healthy meals

Which tip do you find most valuable for your wellbeing?

Discover free tools and information:
https://yourcareplus.ca/learn/self-care-quiz

Do you or someone you know have heart failure?

YourCare+ offers free tools and support to help you manage your condition: https://yourcareplus.ca/learn/heart-failure

Here are some healthy habits you may wish to try:
- Take weight each day before breakfast and keep a log
- Take medications as they are prescribed
- Check each day for swelling in stomach, feet, ankles, and legs
- And more…

Visit our site for a complete list!

YourCare+ offers helpful tools for you to complete, use, and download.

All tools are free and publicly accessible.

Visit the the Caregiver Toolkit and try them for yourself: https://www.yourcareplus.ca/caregiver-toolkit/

It is common for home care to be delivered by a TEAM of providers.

Each provider has a unique role, skills, and training. Combined, they can provide comprehensive care.

Learn about the different roles and responsibilities of each provider with the My Home Care Team tool: https://yourcareplus.ca/learn/my-home-care-team

It is quite common for older adults to develop a long-term (chronic) disease, or multiple, as they age. Managing chronic diseases can be difficult and affect a person’s quality of life.

Some examples of chronic diseases include heart failure or other heart diseases, COPD, diabetes, arthritis, and cognitive impairment or dementia.

The prevalence of chronic disease and multimorbidity has increased over the last decade so it is important for those that do have chronic diseases know how to manage them.

YourCare+ offers many chronic disease management tools such as blood pressure logs, heart failure and COPD zones sheets, and a weight log. Visit our website to access information and free tools!

https://yourcareplus.ca/learn/chronic-disease-management

Communicating with healthcare professionals is a challenge for many patients and caregivers. Doing so can be intimidating, confusing, and just overall difficult.

Caregivers may be relied upon to be the advocate, messenger, or main source of information for the person receiving care.

This is why achieving good communication is so important!

Visit this page to gain some tips for both speaking AND listening to healthcare providers: https://yourcareplus.ca/learn/tips-for-communication

With winter approaching, older adults must know how to stay safe amidst the cold temperatures. From the pure temperatures to the snowy and icy conditions, winter can pose a severe health risk to older adults if not adequately prepared. Basic planning and prevention can make the winter manageable and enjoyable!

Here are some tips:
Inside, set your thermostat to a warm, comfortable setting - we suggest 20-21 degrees Celsius
Prepare if you need to step out - wear non-slip, waterproof boots, have someone help shovel, avoid driving where possible, and use ice melt or sand
Dress appropriately - wear light, layered, loose-fitting clothing under an insulated, waterproof winter coat
Maintain your immunizations record to prevent yourself from catching colds and flus
Avoid isolating yourself wherever possible - the winter can be isolating for some people. Prevent loneliness by calling family/friends, having regular outings, etc.

To learn more about cold weather safety for seniors, visit this site:

Cold Weather Safety for Seniors When winter’s beauty turns more beast with arctic winds, mounds of snow and bone-chilling temperatures, the season’s harsh side can prove especially dangerous for senior adults. Even older snowbirds escaping to warmer climates still can encounter dips in the thermometer, dampening rains and icy ...