The Sagelink Blog features discussions on topics in senior's health from a diverse range of professionals in our community.

Knowledge Exchange

End of life doulas enhance the end of life care experience

May 2020 blog post written by Olga Nikolajev, R.N., MA, CT

During the month of May we highlight the work of palliative care and celebrate those that give of themselves to be part of an end of life care team providing support, comfort and guidance. The end of life care team may include a palliative care physician, a pain and symptom management nurse, hospice volunteers, a social worker, chaplain, personal support worker AND an end of life doula. You may be like many others, who have not heard of end of life doulas or death doulas or thanadoulas as they are sometimes called.

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New Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program—free dental care for low-income seniors

April 2020 Blog Post written by Sarah Seewald, BAH, RDH

As health care providers, we are aware of the unique health needs and challenges among older adults, especially low-income seniors, and dental needs are no exception. The most common dental complications observed in older adults are root caries (cavities), periodontal disease, tooth loss, xerostomia (dry mouth), candidiasis, angular cheilitis, and oral cancer.  Living with these conditions can have a significant negative impact on ones quality of life, and most of these conditions can be prevented, managed or minimized with regular professional dental interventions.

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Optimizing Medications

March 2020 Blog Post written by Andrea Rochon RN, MScN

Polypharmacy is ubiquitous among our older population. While there is a lack of consensus in terms of the exact number of medications that constitute polypharmacy, it is generally agreed upon that polypharmacy involves the prescribing of at least five or more medications.

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Anxiety in Older Adults

January 2020 blog post written by Gail Hawley Knowles, R.N., BA, MHs 

Imagine waking up each morning dreading the start of the new day.
Worrying about something so much that you are unable to think about anything else.
Feeling restless, tense and agitated about an upcoming event or one that may never occur. 
Being afraid of a weather event happening half a continent away.

I know this is how people with extreme anxiety wake up.

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Use empathy intelligence when caring for persons with dementia.

December 2019 blog post written by Angela Dickieson R.N., B.Sc.N.

“Put yourself in their shoes and undo yours.” Jeremy E Sherman Ph.D., MPP

When educating students or health care staff on challenging behaviours in persons with dementia, I like to take the approach of “How would I feel if...”

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