Shylo Home Healthcare

03/23/2026

Why seniors heal better and are more comfortable at home.

Numerous studies highlight the benefits of adults recovering at home, which include improved health outcomes, enhanced quality of life, and greater independe...

03/22/2026

Why is the first month after hospital discharge so risky for older adults?

Discharge is often a high-risk transition because medications change, physical strength declines, routines break, and follow-up care can be complex.

For families, the practical issue is that small gaps (missed meds, dehydration, poor nutrition, unsafe transfers, breaks in daily exercises) can cascade quickly.

A solid Discharge Plan typically includes: a medication list that matches what the doctor’s prescribed upon discharge (which often differs from what was take at home, or even while in hospital), a mobility and safety check in the home, and a clear schedule for follow-up appointments and symptom monitoring.

Prevent avoidable readmissions to acute care by including a Registered Nurse from a reputable Home Care agency as you plan for your discharge. Home Care RNs can assess your care needs, the home you will be returning to, and identify potential gaps in care.

An ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure. Many clients find a few days or weeks of support makes the difference between a successful transition home and readmission to acute care which may lead to admission to Long Term Care. Call one of Shylo’s Geriatric Nurses to discuss your post-hospital care options.

03/21/2026

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, coordination, and, over time, cognitive and emotional health.

In Canada, over 100,000 people are living with Parkinson’s, with approximately 6,600 new diagnoses each year (Parkinson Canada).

Understanding the condition early allows families to plan proactively and support independence for as long as possible.

Progression varies significantly between individuals, making personalised care planning essential.

03/19/2026

Why Local?

Local businesses enhance our community, connect and support us socially, and enhance wealth and employment by circulating dollars many times between businesses.

Research shows that B.C. local businesses create more than double the economic impact of their chain competitors. For every $100 spent with a B.C. local business, $63 is re-circulated back into our B.C. economy (vs $14 for multinational corporations). They re-circulate 4.6 times more revenue in the local economy:

• Local retailers re-circulate 63% compared to 14% for chains
• Local restaurants re-circulate 68% compared to 30% for chains
• Local suppliers (e.g. office supplies) re-circulate 33% compared to 19% for chains

This is because locally owned businesses circulate more dollars in the community compared to multinational organizations. How? Local businesses:

• Have owners who live and provide jobs in your community
• Provide more support for local events, sports teams and charities
• Are more likely to buy local services and stock local products

Spending with a local business has ripple effects that contribute to the growth and health of the communities in our province.

Local Owned businesses are:

• Private companies (ex. single owner or partnership, employee owned, co-operative or social enterprise/non-profit)
• Headquartered in BC
• > 50% of owners residing in BC.

03/17/2026

Caregiver distress is more than feeling tired, it can include exhaustion, anger, depression, and guilt that begin to affect health and decision-making.

For Canadians receiving care support, more than 95% of clients have an unpaid caregiver, often a friend or family member. and 40% of those caregivers are distressed (CIHI).

Distress matters because it increases the likelihood of missed medications, skipped meals, and delayed responses to new symptoms. Not only does the care suffer for the client, the caregiver’s physical and emotional health declines, sometimes quite dramatically if they don’t take time to care for themselves.

A useful step is to list the pressure points (loss of sleep, constant supervision requirement, need for assistance with transportation, managing multiple medications) and plan professional supports before burnout occurs.

As Eleanor Brownn so wisely said “Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel."

Call Shylo today to discuss respite care for you or your loved one.

02/25/2026

Purposeful Health Benefits of Staying Connected to Our Community as we Age

Health is a multifaceted concept involving the comprehensive and interconnected dimensions of physical, mental, and social well-being, defined by the World Health Organization as more than just the absence of disease.

Improved Sense of Autonomy; go where you want, when you want, with whom you want.

Improved Emotional and Spiritual Health by Maintaining Longstanding Relationships; continue attending your church with your friends and neighbours.
Reduced Risk of Physical Injury in Familiar Environments; reported falls and injuries increase when seniors move into a communal residence.

Maintain Social and Cultural Traditions; enjoy having friends and family visit for weekends and holidays.

Reduced Exposure to Communicable Diseases; living in larger communities exposes residents to pathogens from other residents, staff, and hundreds of visitors each week.

Local Driving Services like Rides by Shylo allow seniors to maintain independence.

02/21/2026

Starting the Home Care Conversation: What Questions Help You Understand Options in Vancouver?

Purpose: People often don’t know what to ask first when exploring home and community care for a loved one. This post gives practical, structured questions families can use immediately.

Key Points to Include:

• Begin with needs: “What tasks are becoming difficult for your loved one?” (e.g., bathing, medications, mobility, meal preparation, transportation).”

• Confirm service scope: “Which services does public home and community care include (e.g., personal care, meal warmups, medication reminders)?”

• Compare public versus private service scope: “Which services does private home care include (personal care, medication administration, meal preparation, transportation)?”

• Compare hours of support available each week; if Vancouver Coastal Health will provide 45-minute visits, do you require private home care to supplement those services to adequately meet the needs of your loved one?

• Ask about access: “How do we begin a home support assessment with Vancouver Coastal Health or HealthLink BC (call 8-1-1)?”

• Clarify timing and priority: “What happens if needs escalate suddenly (after a hospital stay or fall)? How soon can increased care be put in place?”

• Understand costs: “Is there a daily rate or income-based fee for publicly subsidised support?” — Public home support may require assessed client rates.

Resources: Senior Care Assessment Tool https://www.vch.ca/en/service/how-to-access-home-and-community-care-services

02/20/2026

https://shylohomehealthcare.ca/senior-care-suggestion-tool/

02/14/2026

What home changes are most common for older adults; and why do they matter?

Canadian data shows that home adaptations are widely used: 25.0% of adults aged 65–79 and 51.9% of adults aged 80+ reported using home adaptations (based on the Canadian Health Survey on Seniors).

These modifications matter because they reduce fall hazards and support independence with daily routines. Common improvements include better lighting, safer bathing setups, removing trip hazards, and adding sturdy supports on stairs. A helpful way to start is a “one-room safety review” focusing first on the bathroom, bedroom, and main walking paths.

Clinical assessments of older adults often reveal risks in the home such as using flimsy towel bars, or sliding shower doors on bathtubs, for support rather than professionally installed grab bars. These risks are often overlooked by friends and family but easily spotted by Geriatric Nurse Specialists familiar with common risks for seniors.

Professional Home Care assistance with daily living, combined with monitoring for common risks, aligns with best practices in geriatric nursing practice and reduces avoidable admissions to acute care for preventable falls and injuries.

02/14/2026

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Valentine's Day.

02/13/2026

💔 In solidarity with Tumbler Ridge 💐

We join all Canadians in mourning the tragic loss of life in Tumbler Ridge. Our thoughts are with the families, students, educators and entire community affected by this unimaginable violence.

In these moments of collective sorrow, may we lift each other up with compassion, unwavering support and care — especially for those navigating grief and trauma.

We stand with Tumbler Ridge as they remember the lives lost and begin the work of healing.

02/08/2026

How common is unpaid caregiving in Canada, and what are the common impacts?

Unpaid caregiving is widespread: in 2022, 13.4 million Canadians (42%) aged 15+ provided unpaid care to children or care-dependent adults. Negative health impacts are also common.

Statistics Canada notes many caregivers report fatigue and anxiety related to caregiving responsibilities. For families, this is a signal to treat caregiving as a “shared-care project,” not a solo role. A practical first step is to document who does what (meals, appointments, bathing support, meds, errands) and identify one task to redistribute or simplify.

Hiring a professional Home Care company to be part of the team can alleviate the stress and burden for friends and family acting as unpaid caregivers. Home care isn’t a single service; it spans a continuum from occasional help with shopping and housekeeping to comprehensive daily personal support.

Research in community care highlights that flexible hours and care plans adapted to changing needs help older adults maintain autonomy and lower stress for family caregivers. Whether support is needed for a few hours a week or full-day assistance, tailored planning benefits the individual and the family.