A message from our Clinical Director, Jillian

Did you know that a urinary tract infection could lead to sudden changes in your brain function?

Sometimes our brains can experience sudden & serious changes that may be linked to treatable & reversible conditions. These ACUTE COGNITIVE CHANGES may include confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, frequent falls, inattention, impaired consciousness, feeling disoriented, memory impairment, hallucinations & more.

The underlying causes of these changes could be related to:

Urinary Tract Infections – UTIs are responsible for 25% of all geriatric hospitalizations
Delirium - Symptoms include confusion & lack of awareness; 49.5% of cases are triggered by an infection
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus - Symptoms include: poor balance, cognitive changes, & bladder leakage
Depression - Depression in older adults can lead to ‘pseudodementia’ which may include forgetfulness, slow movement & low motivation due to lack of energy or effort.

TAKE AWAYS:

Get screened. Learn more about dementia screening here and depression screening here to help you determine if you need to seek help.
Don’t ignore sudden changes in your body & brain. Be sure to check in with your family doctor, health care provider, or access an online physician to discuss any new symptoms you’re experiencing so you can get the right treatment, right away.
Improve your cognitive (brain) reserve. Exercise & physical activity are essential components for your brain health, as are social & intellectual activities, getting quality sleep, & eating a healthy diet!

Our PhysioCare at Home team can help! Call us today!

Watch the following video for a simple exercise to improve your leg strength & always remember Consistency is Key!

To Your Health,

Jillian

Physiotherapist & Clinical Director

Book an Appointment with us today!

Foundational Principle HighIight

When someone has dementia, learning new physical skills can be challenging.

Consistency is Key

Practice of an activity or movement needs to be repetitive & consistent.

Therapist’s Corner

Physiotherapist Noemie’s tip about Exercise & Dementia:

"I find that gravitating towards activities that bring the client joy and fun work best - try dancing in the living room to work on balance or obstacle courses to integrate the physical and the mental."

Client of the Month

Christine was nominated by Physiotherapist Mobina for demonstrating that Progress is Possible and Consistency is Key by doing her exercises diligently to work towards her goals of decreasing her pain and improving her strength. She wanted to be able to sleep in her bed at night, instead of a recliner chair. Her commitment & hard work show that Movement is Medicine and Health is Wealth as she is now able to have a restful sleep in her bed.

Congratulations Christine - your hard work has paid off!

Nutrition Tip

“How can nutrition improve my brain health or that of a loved one?”

Check out the Brain Health Food Guide, developed by Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging.

Brain Health Food Guide

Recipe of the Month

Salmon is an amazing brain food! Check out this “How-To” for grilling the perfect salmon from Ambitious Kitchen.

How to Grill Perfect Salmon

a plate of salmon and a salad with a fork

‘Tis the Season

As the weather begins to turn colder and wetter, find community activities that you enjoy. Look for something at your senior’s center or in your neighbourhood. Maybe a book club or an exercise group. Make sure it is something you enjoy doing and then find others to share your time with. The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada says this, “Stay Connected! Having an active social life can reduce your stress, brighten your mood and keep your relationships strong.” Click below to read more.

Living Well with Dementia The Alzheimer Society of Canada

Protect Yourself

There are many issues and scams that older adults need to watch out for. This month, we are highlighting Elder Financial Abuse. Click the link below to visit InvestRight.org and read about how to protect yourself or your loved one.

Elder Financial Abuse: Protect Yourself and Those You Love