By Scott Leslie, Health, Wellness and Safety Magazine, January 2012

When their health starts to decline, many seniors assume that moving into a retirement home is inevitable. According to Arie Vrugteveen, the executive director of Retire-At-Home Services in St. Catharines, that doesn’t have to be the case. In many instances, home health care is actually a more practical way for seniors to manage their health concerns.

“Home is a place where we feel safe and comfortable,” Arie explains. “It’s where we have all our memories. Research has shown that people heal much faster when they’re in their own home. With Retire-At-Home, we’re dedicated to improving our clients’ quality of life and helping them maintain a sense of dignity and independence.”

Retire-At-Home is a home health care service provider that offers comprehensive and personalized services for seniors. Their comprehensive range of services include housekeeping, nursing, personal care, companionship, advanced foot care, respite and palliative care, and 24-hour care as well as snow removal, lawn care and property maintenance. They can even provide caregiver training for family members to assist them in caring for their loved one.

Clients can have complete confidence in the courteous and professional staff at Retire-At-Home. All their personal support workers and live-in companions are mature individuals with a minimum of five years experience in the field – and undergo a rigorous training, screening and certification process. Retire-At-Home also has Client Care Managers that keep in constant contact with clients and their families through supervisory visits and phone calls. That way, they can make sure an individual has been paired with the most suitable caregiver and is receiving the highest degree of care possible.

 “We believe in building a close working relationship with our clients,” Arie says, “and that means taking the time to understand their personal needs and developing a custom care plan that will fully meet their concerns, schedule and budget. We’re always bending over backwards to satisfy our clients.”

 Originally founded in 1994, Retire-At-Home is one of the most reputable personalized health care franchises in Canada, providing Canadian seniors with a complete range of personal home care services.

In Arie’s case, Retire-At-Home Services has become a very passionate endeavour for him. Originally working in real estate and Human Resources, Arie remembers witnessing some conditions that some seniors are living in and was so disturbed that he decided to change careers and launch his new business venture. Arie purchased his Retire-At-Home franchise in 2009 – and has seen his firm grow from six to 40 employees. He’s also established a second Retire-At-Home office in Vineland and now serves communities all the way from Grimsby to Crystal Beach.

Arie feels that the demand for his firm’s home health care services will only become more acute as Niagara’s baby boomer generation begins to retire in even greater numbers.

 “The demand is definitely increasing here,” he says. “The Niagara area currently has the largest population of seniors in all of Canada – and that isn’t going to slow down any time soon.”

• Invest in a good pair of shoes. When your feet are happy, so are you. Foot pain is not a normal part of the aging process. If you have pain in your feet, see a podiatrist (foot doctor). Comfortable, well-fitting foot wear are a must and worth the investment.

• Play games. Games keep your brain working and intellectual skills sharp. Plus, it’s a fun way to spend time with others. You can be competitive or challenge yourself. There are many free games on the internet, along with sources for those you can purchase.

• Go for a walk. Walk around the block, walk to the store, walk a mile. Walking improves lower body strength, maintains mobility, and helps prevent cognitive decline. Research studies have shown that two short walks a day can be as good as a single, longer stroll.

• Stand on one leg. Good balance serves a variety of advantages, like reaching into a cupboard, and avoiding falls. When you have confidence in your balance skills, you also have confidence to walk outside. Many exercise classes designed for older adults also incorporate balance training ( i.e. tai chi)..

• Visit an eye doctor. Failing vision is not a given as we age. One recent study reported that much of the vision impairment experienced by people over 60 years of age could be improved with corrective lenses. An optometrist can prescribe the best plan for your eyes.

• Increase your physical exercise. Make opportunities for activity. Remember that physical activity includes housework or yard work, walking to the store etc.. Join a community center or a health club that is that have programs geared towards Senior Fitness. (Find a likely place by reading “How to select an age-friendly fitness facility” and “How to choose an age-friendly personal trainer” on the ICAA website.)

• Seek out your friends, family and neighbors. Social interactions are good for your emotional well-being. Studies have shown that friendships and a vibrant social support network not only prevent loneliness, but also provide a ready source of intellectual, physical and volunteer activities. Data even suggests that people with a strong social network lower their risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

• Eat fruits and vegetables. It sounds like basic common sense, I know. But, people who eat a balanced, plant-based diet don’t worry much about counting calories, and gain many vitamins and minerals. You can find fruits and vegetables fresh, frozen, canned, dried, and juiced.

• Laugh a lot. Laughing increases circulation, immune system defenses and mental functioning while decreasing stress hormones. Watch comedies or read a humor book and the comics.

• Get enough sleep. As our everyday lives get the best of us, adequate sleep seems to fall by the wayside. Make certain to get your seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Insomnia affects almost half of adults 60 years and older, making it the most common sleep issue. If you have trouble falling or staying asleep, make a few changes in your habits, such as skipping daytime naps or adopting a nighttime routine. Changing your habits is more successful at improving sleep than taking medications.

Did you notice that virtually every activity improves your mental health and reduces the threat of dementia? By increasing your levels of physical activity, social interaction and intellectual engagement you’ll increase your health and happiness.

The International Council on Active Aging is the world’s largest membership association dedicated to evolving the way we age by uniting and working with professionals in the retirement, assisted living, recreation, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields. Visit the ICAA consumer resources website to find information about empowering baby boomers and older seniors to improve quality of life and maintain dignity

Originally posted on our newsletter here.