Latest news with #StephanieChan
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
5 signs it might not be safe for your aging parents to live alone anymore, according to an expert
We plan for vacations and plan for retirement, but end-of-life planning is something we tend to put off. Talking about downsizing or moving into a retirement community (or a long-term care facility) are among the most important conversations adult children will have with their parents, and experts say these conversations should happen as early and often as possible. Broaching the subject of downsizing or moving can be delicate, and most elderly parents are resistant to move out of their houses. In fact, nearly every Canadian wants to age in their homes and communities. A 2020 survey found that 96 per cent of Canadians aged 65 and older would do 'everything they could' to avoid going into a long-term care facility, according to the National Institute on Ageing. That's a relevant statistic to consider when approaching your aging parents with this sensitive conversation. Meanwhile, Canada's population continues to age. Around 19 per cent of Canadians were aged 65 and older on July 1, 2023. By the end of the decade, seniors could represent between 21 per cent to 23 per cent of the total population. As this demographic continues to grow, conversations around end-of-life planning will increasingly move to the forefront. With this in mind, Yahoo Canada spoke to an expert about signs it might be time for your parents to consider downsizing. It's hard to know when it might be time to help your elderly parents downsize, but Stephanie Chan, a senior living advisor and founder of Home to Home, a care planning business based in Vancouver, B.C, has a few common clues to look out for. One scenario for aging parents is their day-to-day routines seem normal, but gradually over time, you spot subtle warning signs. 'They may seem minor and not as noticeable,' Chan says. 'But I would encourage families to pay attention to a few things.' 1. Mobility 'Observe how your parents are getting around the house. If you're picking up to go to an appointment, do you notice that it's taking them longer to get ready? Are they manoeuvring stairs differently? Have they had any falls, even small falls, in recent weeks?' Chan says mobility is one common warning sign to consider whether the living environment is still suitable. 2. Ease of daily living Changes in your loved one's ability to bathe themselves or go to the washroom on their own are another indicator it might be time to discuss living arrangements. 'Are they remembering to take their meds?" Chan asks. "Are they cooking for themselves? Are they keeping the house tidy? Are they dressing themselves OK?" 3. Mental wellbeing "Do they seem more isolated? Socialization can really impact one's well being. If you notice your parents never going out and they're isolated all the time, that could be a warning sign to think about moving," Chan says. "Seniors residences have a lot of socialization, and I think it's actually one of the most underrated benefits of seniors residences.' 4. Cognitive ability Another sign is if your parent has become more forgetful to the point where they're unable to take their meds or are at risk of going out and forgetting their way home. Diagnoses of dementia or Alzheimer's are also indicators it may be time for new a new living arrangement to ensure their safety. 5. Triggering events The loss of a spouse or loss of a driver's license could also trigger a discussion of downsizing or moving to a group environment. Similarly, a chronic health diagnosis that could impact their daily routine may also be a catalyst for discussing living arrangements. In her 18 years dealing with seniors, Chan says resistance to talk of in-home care or moving is one of the biggest conversations she helps families navigate. If your parents need help at home, her advice is to start small, whether it's hiring a cleaner, gardener, or cook to help with daily tasks. 'That might be a good way to just get your feet wet with trying out home care,' she says. And, if the family agrees it might be time to move, Chan suggests people tour residences. Book it during lunchtime if possible. 'Many places will invite you to stay, and you can test out the food and see other residents coming down for their meals,' Chan says. 'It will demystify any preconceived notions of what seniors' residences are like. A lot of people think it's doom and gloom, but there's a lot of seniors' residences that are very, very nice.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
5 signs it might not be safe for your aging parents to live alone anymore, according to an expert
We plan for vacations and plan for retirement, but end-of-life planning is something we tend to put off. Talking about downsizing or moving into a retirement community (or a long-term care facility) are among the most important conversations adult children will have with their parents, and experts say these conversations should happen as early and often as possible. Broaching the subject of downsizing or moving can be delicate, and most elderly parents are resistant to move out of their houses. In fact, nearly every Canadian wants to age in their homes and communities. A 2020 survey found that 96 per cent of Canadians aged 65 and older would do 'everything they could' to avoid going into a long-term care facility, according to the National Institute on Ageing. That's a relevant statistic to consider when approaching your aging parents with this sensitive conversation. Meanwhile, Canada's population continues to age. Around 19 per cent of Canadians were aged 65 and older on July 1, 2023. By the end of the decade, seniors could represent between 21 per cent to 23 per cent of the total population. As this demographic continues to grow, conversations around end-of-life planning will increasingly move to the forefront. With this in mind, Yahoo Canada spoke to an expert about signs it might be time for your parents to consider downsizing. It's hard to know when it might be time to help your elderly parents downsize, but Stephanie Chan, a senior living advisor and founder of Home to Home, a care planning business based in Vancouver, B.C, has a few common clues to look out for. One scenario for aging parents is their day-to-day routines seem normal, but gradually over time, you spot subtle warning signs. 'They may seem minor and not as noticeable,' Chan says. 'But I would encourage families to pay attention to a few things.' 1. Mobility 'Observe how your parents are getting around the house. If you're picking up to go to an appointment, do you notice that it's taking them longer to get ready? Are they manoeuvring stairs differently? Have they had any falls, even small falls, in recent weeks?' Chan says mobility is one common warning sign to consider whether the living environment is still suitable. 2. Ease of daily living Changes in your loved one's ability to bathe themselves or go to the washroom on their own are another indicator it might be time to discuss living arrangements. 'Are they remembering to take their meds?" Chan asks. "Are they cooking for themselves? Are they keeping the house tidy? Are they dressing themselves OK?" 3. Mental wellbeing "Do they seem more isolated? Socialization can really impact one's well being. If you notice your parents never going out and they're isolated all the time, that could be a warning sign to think about moving," Chan says. "Seniors residences have a lot of socialization, and I think it's actually one of the most underrated benefits of seniors residences.' 4. Cognitive ability Another sign is if your parent has become more forgetful to the point where they're unable to take their meds or are at risk of going out and forgetting their way home. Diagnoses of dementia or Alzheimer's are also indicators it may be time for new a new living arrangement to ensure their safety. 5. Triggering events The loss of a spouse or loss of a driver's license could also trigger a discussion of downsizing or moving to a group environment. Similarly, a chronic health diagnosis that could impact their daily routine may also be a catalyst for discussing living arrangements. In her 18 years dealing with seniors, Chan says resistance to talk of in-home care or moving is one of the biggest conversations she helps families navigate. If your parents need help at home, her advice is to start small, whether it's hiring a cleaner, gardener, or cook to help with daily tasks. 'That might be a good way to just get your feet wet with trying out home care,' she says. And, if the family agrees it might be time to move, Chan suggests people tour residences. Book it during lunchtime if possible. 'Many places will invite you to stay, and you can test out the food and see other residents coming down for their meals,' Chan says. 'It will demystify any preconceived notions of what seniors' residences are like. A lot of people think it's doom and gloom, but there's a lot of seniors' residences that are very, very nice.'
Buzz Feed
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
If You Wanna Be In A Silly, Goofy Mood, Check Out These 29 Quirky Products
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Shopping · If you've ever been playing with Legos and thought "dang, I wish these were edible..." boy is today your lucky day. 🤪 1. A set of Goldfish fridge magnets that'll certainly make you smile back when you see these cuties all over your fridge holding up your precious photos and wedding invites. Handy Cute Art is a Florida-based Etsy shop that specializes in quirky home products. Heads up: these might not be the best choice if you have little kids or pets who could mistake them for food. Promising review:"These are the cutest ever! My daughter ate these guys [a lot] growing up. Great reminder gift of her fave snack food!" — Teresa A Houtz Get a set of six from Handy Cute Art on Etsy for $10.20 (originally $12). 2. Or a set of colorful sushi magnets if you are more of a fan of real fish than of the cracker version. These surprisingly strong magnets will adorn your fridge and easily hold up all your important papers. They honestly look so realistic you may be tempted to take a bite (but seriously, don't). Amazon And check out this creative reviewer, who used the magnets as cake toppers! Promising review: "These magnets are super cute! We got them for our one-year-old daughter and she loves sticking them to the fridge! We didn't think the small magnet on each piece would be strong, but we were wrong, they work great. Sushi pieces are realistic looking as well." — Stephanie Chan Get a set of eight from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three sushi versions and four other versions). 3. A dimmable sad duck night-light that honestly encapsulates my emotions at the end of a long day. This slightly depressed but incredibly adorable little dude is here to help you with your late-night homework or reading before bed. Amazon This lil guy is rechargeable and comes with a USB charger. You can also set a 30-minute timer so you don't have to worry about falling asleep with it on. And to make it even better, his feet are placed in a way to make them a stand for your phone! Promising review: "This silly little lamp makes me smile every time I look at it. I bought it as a sort of nightlight to light the living room. It is a fun, and silly way to make our guests smile without blinding everyone during movie night." — Shelley Hough Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in three styles). 4. A Shrek toothpaste cap you can attach straight to the tube so you can tell all your friends you've been brushing your teeth with Shrek's. 💩 Casual Chicken / Etsy Casual Chicken is a small biz based in Irvine, California and they make unique items and art using 3D printing. Promising review: "This is a HIT! I ordered one and my other friends loved it so I got one for them also. The customer service is fantastic and fast shipping!" — Whitney Get it from Casual Chicken on Etsy for $9.99. 5. An insulated penguin water bottle because your emotional support bottle deserves to be the cutest freaking thing on the whole planet. Amazon Promising review: "This is my new favorite travel companion! This adorable tumbler doesn't just win in looks; it keeps my beverages at the perfect temperature for hours. Whether it's tea, water, or coffee, it stays hot or cold, just the way I like it. The stainless steel build gives it a sturdy feel, and the penguin design adds a cute touch that always brings a smile to my face. A delightful and practical choice for anyone who wants their drinks to stay cozy on the go!" — Sabina Cioci Get it from Amazon for $15.81+ (available in three colors). 6. A set of five Monkey Noodle fidget toys you won't be able to stop stretching and pulling. These simple yet super entertaining toys can stretch up to 8 (!!) feet but will always return to their original state. These are designed for kiddos 3 and up. Promising review: "This is my absolute favorite fidget! I'm an adult with autism and ADHD. I carry one around with me everywhere I go. It definitely assists me in staying calm/still while I'm at work. I've recommended it to several friends!" — KaelynnVP Get a set of five from Amazon for $12.99. 7. A bread plushie alarm clock to help make mornings a little more bearable. This cutie has it all — a soothing dimmable night-light, a cuddly exterior, an alarm clock, and a phone stand. Truly might be the best thing since sliced bread. Amazon It has four soothing sounds to choose from and a vibrating wake-up option, so instead of making noise, it will just start vibrating in your arms to gently wake you. And it's USB rechargeable! Promising review: "My husband found this gem for my daughter and it is great! I'm actually getting one for my niece right now. It has three alarm sets, adjustable volume, and alarm tones that will be more suitable for waking up in the morning." — Frescal Get it from Amazon for $29.98 (available in three styles and two colos). 8. A screaming goat because there's no way anyone could receive this and not immediately have a smile on their face. Is it vaguely dumb? Yes. But is it very entertaining? Absolutely. Promising review:"Hilarious and irritating — my kid loves it. It's funny, loud and cute. Great for goat lovers. As described. Great gift for people who think screaming goats are funny." — E. Hurtt Get it from Amazon for $7.96. 9. A pack of Crayola Globbles so you can finally throw something at the wall because that's its purpose, not because you are full of rage. Or for anyone who is ~calmer,~ these are also super fun to stretch and squeeze. Plus, they won't leave behind any nasty residue to deal with. Promising review: " I waited over two months to write my review! My daughter is 4 and plays with these DAILY! YES, they do attract dirt and hair HOWEVER they are so easy to rinse off that it's not a big deal! We took these to a family gathering and ended up giving two away because they were SO loved! The two we gave away went to a 12-year-old and my 19-year-old brother. They discovered throwing them at the ceiling fan and watching them shoot across the room which was pretty entertaining! None of these have busted or ripped and they are definitely NOT gentle with them! I will definitely be buying more!" — Heather Hambrick Get a pack of six from Amazon for $10.99 (also available in a 16-pack). 10. A hilarious game of BeanBoozled, which will put your taste buds to the test and you can risk it all — will it be chocolate pudding or canned dog food? The mash-ups include: stinky socks vs. tutti-fruitti, lawn clippings vs. lime, rotten egg vs. buttered popcorn, toothpaste vs. berry blue, barf vs. peach, canned dog food vs. chocolate pudding, booger vs. juicy pear, moldy cheese vs. caramel corn, baby wipes vs. coconut, and skunk spray vs. licorice. Promising review: "My daughters love these. Period. Although I think it's quite gross to eat a jelly bean not knowing you're going to get one that tastes like a normal piece of candy or a stinky sock, a rotten egg, and grass. They were absolutely tickled. They sorted the jelly beans by color and then took turns deciding who was going to eat what pair combination hoping to get one of each. I think the other part of the game was seeing who could say 'ewww' the loudest when they bit into the 'wrong' one! They continue to ask for them, so I'll continue to buy them, but I won't be eating them. Fun for the girls and their friends. And it really kept them entertained for a good 30 minutes." — MS MONIQUE Get it from Amazon for $7.52+ (available in a variety of sizes). 11. Or a jar of "Ass Kickin'" sweet and spicy jelly beans to test your ability to handle heat. Maybe even make a game of it and see who can eat the most at once?! Just be sure to have a glass of milk nearby. Amazon Ass Kickin' is a small business that specializes in spicy candy, popcorn, and sauces. Promising review: "If you like spicy and sweet you will most definitely like these jelly beans. It didn't take me long to devour the whole jar and will say that I enjoyed every spicy hot bean. I wouldn't say it's like over the top hot but it's a comfortable hot that keeps me eating one after the other." — Bill Reiner Get them from Amazon for $9.95. 12. An adorable Post-It note holder purrrrfect for keeping your sticky notes easily accessible whenever inspiration strikes and you need to write it down immediately so you don't forget. It even comes loaded with a stack of pink sticky notes so you are ready to rock and roll. 13. A pack of three collapsible mushroom lanterns to give any room an enchanting forest vibe. They are perfect for leaving up as permanent decor, or can be easily stored away to use only for special occasions. Amazon, Promising review:"These mushrooms are the cutest decorations I've seen. I absolutely love them. They are pretty sturdy once set up, I have them sitting on the ground and placed a smallish brick on the inside for stability. They also come with string if you want to hang them. I am going to put a small tea light or fairy lights on the inside to light them up. Both the wire and the paper seem really durable and seem to be made better than other paper lanterns that I've seen. They are SUPER easy to set up." — Sajujama Get them from Amazon for $12.98+ (available in five colors). 14. A pack of 12 french fry-shaped bag clips so you can keep your precious salt and vinegar Lay's fresh instead of accidentally shoving a handful of stale, icky chips into your mouth cause no one bothered to seal them up after their last snack sesh. The fry container is magnetic so you can store these on your fridge for easy access instead of rummaging around your whole kitchen to find a stray clip. Promising review:"These are very cute, and I love that the magnet holder sticks on my fridge so they are easily accessible." — Save the Bees Get it from Amazon for $14.90. 15. A beautifully realistic espresso martini candle for all the coffee cocktail lovers out there who want to bring their obsession home from the bar. Not to mention your room will be filled with the indulgent scent of freshly brewed espresso. ☕️ 🍸 Candle Lume / Etsy Candle Lume is a Canada-based Etsy shop that specializes in custom candles. Get it from Candle Lume on Etsy for $21.76 (originally $25.59; available in a roasted espresso scent or unscented). 16. A whimsical bird-shaped hair clip so duck ing cute you'll never wanna leave the house without one of 'em. Amazon Promising review:"This clip is sooooooooo cute!! Very sturdy, and I can tell this is quality material and won't break!" — Lillian Parizek Get it from Amazon for $12.62+ (available in 13 styles). 17. A unicorn pancake mold to add a little whimsy and magic to the most important meal of the day. And to really round out your breakfast, you can also use this for eggs! It's microwave- and dishwasher-safe! Promising review:"My 5-year-old is in the year of unicorns and mermaids, she is absolutely obsessed. And she's also very picky eater. She loves having her eggs shaped like unicorns this thing is so easy to use and easy to clean!!" — Allison Get it from Amazon for $9.19. 18. A quirky lil' burger bicycle bell so BUN-derful you're gonna want to get one for every one of your friends. It easily attaches to your handlebars so you'll be all set to riiiing that thing to your heart's content. Promising review:"No, I didn't buy this for a kid. I bought it for my old self. And yes!! I absolutely love it! The housing is plastic but surprisingly sturdy. The bell sounds like a bike bell should, and hey, it's a burger — a favorite of mine after a long ride." — Kim Get it from Amazon for $12.49. 19. A book of 642 tiny things to draw that'll inspire you to use some creativity daily without having to think too much. Instead of spending an hour deciding what you should draw, just whip this lil' guy out and fill in a few prompts. You never know what kind of work of art you're gonna draw up. Some prompts you can expect to see include a gum wrapper, a nail art design, the last bite of a cookie, and loads of other totally random suggestions to get those creative juices flowing! Former BuzzFeed Shopping writer Jonathan Mazzei has this and says, "My girlfriend got me this book as a gift a few years ago, and it turned out to be even better than I expected! The prompts are super fun, and help you to think outside of the box even during those moments when you feel like you have no ideas. It's great to casually doodle in while passing time since you don't have to think of what to draw, but it also can be really helpful when brainstorming for creative projects. My girlfriend is a visual artist and graphic designer, and she loves using it to play around with ideas and make her think of things she never would have thought of without it. Plus, it's small and super portable! Highly recommend!" Promising review: "Very tiny, so it's great to carry around. I like the prompts, they're pretty open to interpretation and great for creativity! Fun little creative exercises when you're bored or feeling stuck!" — Lexie Get it from Amazon for $9.25. 20. A pair of socks with your pet's face on them because that is your BABY so obvi you wanna show them off in every way possible!! Now you can always have your buddy with you. PAWS-itively amazing. Don't forget to click the customization button to upload a photo of your pet! Promising review:"This was a Christmas gift I bought for my aunt, who just LOVES her fur baby. She was so happy with these socks, she shared pictures of them and a big thank you to me on Facebook. She is out of state so I can't speak on the quality of the socks, but if they were a fraction less than fantastic, my all-too-honest aunt would have let me know, but all she could do was rave about them. Well done! :-)" — Deb P Get them from Amazon for $14.25+ (available in 39 colors). 21. A cute and fun build-on brick mug, which comes with three packs of bricks so you can create masterpieces while sipping your coffee and ~definitely~ paying attention to your morning meeting. Amazon Promising review:"This is by far one of the most unique coffee cups/gifts I've ever purchased. I bought this for my adult daughter, who is an avid Lego collector. I surprised her with this random gift and she was absolutely over the moon about it. Apparently, I won the mother of the year award lol. If you have someone in your life who loves Lego bricks, you gotta get this for them. They will love you for it. Yes, you actually can build things in your coffee cup!!!" — Michelle Hargenrader Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 11 colors). 22. And a Lego-inspired storage drawer perfect for the builder in your life who wants their whole room to be covered in different Lego sets. Now they can store their building bricks inside a Lego brick… pretty poetic, right? It's also just a great decor option for storing small toys, knickknacks, and other items for anyone who doesn't want boring furniture in their house. Amazon Check out a TikTok of the storage containers in action. Promising review: "LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this storage container! My son got a 1,500-piece Lego set for Christmas and this fits all of the pieces nicely! Definitely recommend." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $29.94+ (available in two sizes and 14 colors). 23. Plus! A bag of edible gummy blocks so snack time can be a little more fun and creative. This would also be a great birthday cake topper for the Lego lover in your life! Amazon, Promising review: "My son wanted these cuz he saw them in some YouTube video, and at first I thought they were on the expensive side but when I got them I realized I was getting three bags instead of one, so that was great! They're as close to looking like Legos as you could with using gummy material. I will say I was surprised at how good they were. I expected a cheapo mild flavor like how most gummies are but these were SO good! They have more of a bright, vibrant flavor kinda like Jolly Ranchers. I'd definitely recommend them." — Piscearicorn Get a pack of three bags from Amazon for $9.99. 24. A geometric dinosaur sculpture that may just look like a cute little buddy, but he's got a secret — his head is full of delicious snacks! Fill him up with candy, cookies, or even your keys. This will be a DINO-mite hiding spot. Promising review:"This little dino is very nice and substantial. It is small, we use it to store our keys, and this works quite well. He is much heavier than expected, and the contrasting gold really stands out. He even has little pads on the bottom so he won't scratch whatever you set him on. We ABSOLUTELY LOVE HIM!!!" — Jeremy Szabo Get it from Amazon for $53.98+ (available in three colors). 25. A corgi ice mold to transform your cocktail or iced coffee into the cutest drink in existence. Like come on, imagine sipping away when all of a sudden a hilarious corgi butt pops out at way you won't let out a little giggle. Amazon, Promising review:"I think these corgi ice molds are adorable! The size of the tray is nicely designed and the ice is easy to remove without snapping off any parts of the figure. I'd love to see more dog breeds available as ice cubes; this is a great start though!" — aldera Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (also available as a French bulldog or a dachshund). 26. A sardine tin bag perfect for storing makeup, small items, or even snacks. And you won't have to worry about anyone trying to steal your precious bag of chips because no one will think there's any good food inside the tin of sardines. 🤢 Amazon Promising review: "Spacious. I love this little pouch, it's so cute and even bigger than I thought it'd be." — Sarah R. Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in 10 colors). 27. A retro-inspired, rechargeable electric gamer lighter to bring back all the fond memories of spending hours on your gaming device. Not to mention you won't have to constantly buy new disposable lighters cause this one can just be charged up whenever it's dead. Unlike most traditional lighters, this one is windproof! Promising review:"Love this lighter. It has some weight to it, so it feels like a real lighter. It makes a nice click sound when you open and shut it, and is easy to charge with the included cable. The blue lights on the side that show the battery level are neat, and the fact that it looks like a tiny Game Boy is awesome." — Shadowgypsy Get it from Amazon for $20.88+ (available in five styles). 28. A mini inflatable tube guy because there is *no way* you can look at this little dude and not giggle. If you're feeling extra goofy, imitating him is ~encouraged.~ Promising review:"This was a great gag gift for my fiancé! It's so funny. He keeps it on his desk and turns it on during Zoom meetings for work. 🤣 We purchased the recommended brand of batteries and those work just fine." — Tina Krepinski Get it from Amazon for $11.66. 29. The Desktop Door Slam, aka a mini door, so you can have all the satisfaction of dramatically slamming the door on your way out without any of the consequences of doing it for real. Amazon
