A delicious recipe low on sugar and high in flavour, this Apple and Blueberry Crisp recipe is sure to please at your next gathering or a weekday treat! Ingredients 4 medium-sized apples, peeled and diced (4) 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (500 mL) 2 Tbsp brown sugar, divided (30 mL) 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 mL) 1 Tbsp cornstarch (15 mL) 3/4 cup rolled oats (175 mL) 1 Tbsp wheat germ (15 mL) 1 Tbsp canola oil (15 mL) 1/4 tsp cinnamon (1 mL) Directions Preheat oven to 350°F

All month long we have been providing information to recognize Diabetes Awareness Month. In today's blog, we are discussing Prediabetes and how a healthy lifestyle can help to manage your blood sugar to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but are not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Signs & Symptoms As with both Type 1 and 2 diabetes, the signs and symptoms of prediabetes are similar

#OnThisDay in 1626, St. Peter's Basilica is consecrated, replacing an earlier basilica on the same site and becoming the world's largest Christian basilica. Recognizing that faith plays an important role in the lives of many of our elderly clients, we have gathered some interesting facts about this famous site in Vatican City to share with your elderly loved ones. Servicing the Ottawa Community since 1998. We are now accepting Franchise Applications for territories across Can

Every year on November 11th, we honour all of the men and women who served and sacrificed for our country nationally and internationally. In addition, a special day marked on November 8th each year has been created to honour the contributions and sacrifices Indigenous members made for our country who were often overlooked during the November 11th ceremonies. Many of our senior clients are members of the Veteran associations who served Canada throughout their young lives. Th

We may only have a few days left in October, but the bounty of produce continues! This week we celebrate a delicious and nutritious fruit that can be used in both savoury and sweet dishes - the pear. Grown in Ontario, there are five varieties of pears - Bartlett being a favourite of many! One medium pear has about 100 calories, is a good source of fiber, and is a source of Vitamin C, potassium, and folacin. Try this autumn recipe for your next dessert served warm with fresh

During Breast Cancer Awareness month, each year, the 3rd Friday of October recognizes the importance of receiving regular mammograms to help with the early detection of breast cancer. It is a reminder for many Canadians to get screened, as 1 in 8 women and less than 1% of men will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. Screening mammograms are considered the international gold standard for detecting breast cancer early. Regular breast cancer screening can find canc

A great way to add creativity to your elderly loved one's life is to use simple, household items that can surprise and delight them when used in a new and exciting way! A perfect example of this is by using a simple apple as a stamp to create these adorable painted "pumpkins". Materials An apple; cut down the center Orange paint Brown and Green pipe cleaners or paper Craft glue Googly eyes and/or other embellishments (such as sequins, buttons, stickers, etc) White craft pape

October in Ontario is a month of vegetable abundance! From artichokes to zucchini, there are flavours for all to enjoy! In this week's recipe, we are featuring a heart-warming beef pot pie full of the season's best ingredients, such as carrots, onions, potatoes, and mushrooms! Nutrition Facts! Potatoes are an excellent source of potassium, a good source of Vitamin C and a source of fibre and folacin. Low in calories, carrots are an excellent source of beta carotene, converte

We at Ideal Caregivers 4u are proud to announce that we now have trained and qualified Unregulated Care Providers in our team roster! As many in Ontario know, the health care needs of individuals living in our communities are increasing. According to a study funded by the Government of Ontario, to meet the rising need, unregulated care providers are providing more complex patient care. What are Unregulated Care Providers (UCP)? Unregulated care providers (UCPs) refer to a gr

Today, the International Egg Commission celebrates #WorldEggDay! This global celebration, first established in Vienna in 1996, recognizes the contributions that eggs have to our health, our planet, and global communities and farmers! Enjoy the benefits we have gathered below and celebrate with your favourite egg dish today! Servicing the Ottawa Community since 1998. We are now accepting Franchise Applications for territories across Canada. #funfacts #eggs #memorycare #senio

Perfect for your Thanksgiving table, this delicious salad has all of the best ingredients from the Autumn harvest! A great side dish to your turkey dinner or as a main course, and it's Vegan-friendly! Autumn Harvest Salad Ingredients 8 oz. Brussels sprouts, thinly sliced (about 4 cups) 1 cup cooked quinoa 1 large sweet potato or butternut squash peeled, diced into cubes and cooked (about 2 cups) 1/2 cup pecans (or other desired nut), toasted and roughly chopped Arils of 1 po

According to the Alzheimer's Association, 6 in 10 people with dementia will wander. Wandering is when a person strays or wanders to an unsafe place that may lead to harm. Wandering occurs when a person with memory challenges or even those with early stages of dementia can become disoriented, forget or become confused for a short period of time and walk away from a task or location. At times, wandering may cause someone to leave the home, building, or room without notice. Th

We are only a week into the Fall season, but here in Ontario, we have already noticed our leaves begin to change colours and start to fall. So, what better time to collect some dry leaves and create your own design in preparation for the season! Leaf Art Materials Dry leaves of various shapes, sizes and colours Craft Glue Craft paper or cardstock **Optional embellishments, such as small beads, googly eyes, feathers, cotton balls, etc. Instructions Collect a variety of dry le

As a caregiver, we understand the stresses and challenges that come with providing care for others. One effective way to relieve that stress for caregivers is through journaling. This form of self-care is vital to maintain your own health and well-being while being there for your loved ones. The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study highlighting the "importance of writing about what is really getting you down". The message of the study was that whil

The Autumn season has officially begun! With it, comes cooler temperatures, fallen leaves, warm and cozy sweaters, and so much more! To be prepared for a safe Autumn, we gathered a few tips to consider! Clear Outdoor Walkways Autumn leaves are beautiful but fallen wet autumn leaves are slippery and fall risk. Keep all your outdoor walkways free of any leaves and debris. This is a good time to think about installing handrails and/or non-skid surfaces on your home’s exterior s

A great way to get outdoors and to appreciate the beautiful colours of the upcoming fall season is by using nature's bounty, the fallen leaves, for arts and crafts projects! We found today's blog idea from a variety of sources online. The internet is filled with great ideas for crafting activities for people of all ages, but this one, in particular, is a great option for our senior loved ones and those in our care. Here's what you need: fall leaves, preferably dry ceramic ti

'Tis the season! It may not officially be Autumn, but pumpkins abound in our local farmer's markets, coffee shops, and bakeries! This warm pumpkin oatmeal is a perfect start to any chilly morning - and who doesn't like waking up to pumpkin spice?! Stove-Top Pumpkin Oatmeal Adapted from www.wellplated.com Serves: 2 Ingredients 1 cup rolled oats** 1 1/2 cups almond milk (or milk of choice or water or a mix) 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup plus additional to taste 1/2 teaspoon g

Ever wonder what it would be like if you were unable to bend your elbow to eat, walk without bending your knees, or look behind you without turning your neck? These are examples of the importance of range of motion to our everyday lives. What is Range of Motion? Range of motion is defined as the normal movements that a joint should be able to perform. For example, the range of motion in your neck means that you should be able to bend the head forward and backward, tilting t

Ever wonder why leaves change colour in the Fall? Well, it's not the cooler temperature or the weather that causes them to change colour, in fact, it's their ability to make food that does! During the growing season, leaves act as food factories for trees. A chemical called chlorophyll, which absorbs light energy, is responsible for making this happen. It is also the reason why most leaves are green. For activities that you can do with your senior loved one that incorporat

As the weather starts to turn, so will the leaves on the beautiful trees begin to turn colour. Using the fallen colourful leaves, help your elderly loved ones collect, identify and sort each one! This is a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the freshness of the Fall season - perfect for body, mind, and soul! Here's what you need: 4 paper bags Leaf colour labels or a marker to label each bag Basket to collect leaves Leaf identification chart (example image below) Table