The role you have taken on is not an easy one. However, the following tips offer some guidance on how to maintain and improve your caregiving relationship:

• Take time for yourself. Make sure you have time to relax. If necessary, enlist the help of other family members or even hire someone to help out.
• Learn as much as you can about your loved one’s disease so you will know how you can help. You’ll also understand what changes to expect in your loved one’s behavior or symptoms.
• Help your loved one participate in as many activities in the home and outside the home as possible. Maintain the intricate balance between helping your loved one accomplish a task and actually doing the task for him or her. Allow the patient the time needed to complete daily activities on his or her own, such as dressing.
• Consult your loved one about his or her family affairs. Although it’s not easy to discuss these topics, you should be informed of your loved one’s wishes regarding a living will, durable power of attorney, and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order.
• Set realistic goals for yourself and your loved one. Do not attempt to do everything. By setting attainable goals, you are setting everyone up for success, rather than disappointment.
• Do not put your life on hold. Continue to meet with friends, participate in hobbies or groups, and maintain a schedule as normally as possible. You will feel more energized and are less likely to feel resentful in the long run.
• Have someone you can talk to. You are there for your loved one — to listen and to offer support — but you also need a support person. Talk openly and honestly with a friend or family member. If this is not possible, join a support group. Understanding that you are not alone and that someone else is in a similar situation helps you to feel nurtured.

Dr. David Tal is a specialist in geriatric medicine and runs the Age Matters Clinic in Toronto.

Many types of wooden fencing are labor intensive, and for all that trouble you don’t get much beauty or longevity from them. They have to be stained and waterproofed, and then you’re never certain when the wood will splinter or rot, and need to  be replaced.

The newest idea in Toronto fences is vinyl picket fences that look just like wood, but they’re made from 100 percent recycled vinyl that always looks great and lasts much longer than traditional wooden fencing. Unless you’re standing right next to it, there is no way to tell that you don’t have a painted wooden fence surrounding your home. It’s the same classic style but without the worry about maintaining or replacing it.

Ask any homeowner in your area which type of fence they’d rather have and sure enough, they will tell you a vinyl fence. Vinyl fencing is so much more versatile than old fashioned wooden fencing; There are so many more styles and colors available, and the great thing is, once it’s installed, you don’t have to worry about it. If it gets dirty, the most you have to do is wipe it down with a damp cloth or give it a good power-washing every so often. Wood fences require so much more upkeep including treating them to repel termites and other pests, and worrying about compromising the wood if you treat your lawn or shrubs with pesticides. When a wooden fence splinters or breaks, you have to replace entire sections of it, and it never looks the same. A vinyl fence gives you many more years of worry-free enjoyment without having to replace bits and pieces of it as they deteriorate.

Vinyl fencing material is also used by many businesses because of it’s affordability and easy care. In fact, many rural farms have begun to install vinyl horse fences instead of wooden or metal fences, which require constant upkeep. A vinyl fence, especially when it’s enclosing a large property, is not only more economical, it will look great for years to come.

Homeowners know how versatile vinyl fencing material is: decks, patios and verandas can be built with it that will last just as long and look just as beautiful as the fence that surrounds your home. You will enjoy many years of fun gatherings without the worry of going barefoot and getting splinters. And, when you build a deck with vinyl fence material, there’s no need to paint, stain or maintain it. It will provide years of enjoyment all year round.

When you invest in your home’s appearance, it always pays to use the finest quality materials – and those include vinyl picket fences.

Yaniv Kalderon is a vinyl fence and landscaping expert in Toronto, Ontario, whose blogs and articles appear on home improvement Web sites.

The key to getting your kids to actively participate in taking care of their teeth is to find a children’s dentist in your area that will teach your little ones that oral hygiene can be fun. Most of us will no longer go to just “any” doctor; we look to our friends, family members, and the Internet for information on which physicians we can rely on to take good care of us. The same holds true for finding a pediatric dentist who will instill in your children how important it is to care for their teeth no matter how young they are.

A pediatric dentist will make sure that your child’s teeth are healthy and maturing properly. He or she will check gum health and make any recommendations about foods to encourage your child to eat or avoid in order to ensure they keep their teeth and gums healthy. A gentle cleaning will be part of every visit, allowing your child to get used to the experience so he or she will not be afraid of it as they get older. A child who fears the dentist will grow into an adult who is reluctant to take care of this or her teeth.

When you find a pediatric dentist in your area, don’t be shy about asking questions about how often your child should visit, and which routines should be established in the home in order to promote healthy habits. Ask about toothbrushes and toothpastes that are geared specifically for children, and how you can take a more active role in helping your kids understand how important it is for them to take care of their teeth. The payoff will be fewer cavities and less stress and aggravation when it comes time for that regular checkup!

Sean Shen is a pediatric dentist who specializes in oral hygiene education for parents of babies and toddlers.

One of the scarier things we must contend with as we age is the specter of memory loss and how it affects us and our loved ones. Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other memory impairments are difficult to come to terms with, but there are things we can do to lessen their impact on our daily lives.

Physical fitness plays an important role in staving off a variety of physical ailments including memory loss. Studies have shown that people with varying degrees of memory loss who maintain higher levels of fitness are able to prevent the shrinking of the brain that occurs as we age, along with progressive memory loss. People in the early stages of Alzheimer’s who have low levels of fitness are likely to experience four times the amount of brain shrinkage than older adults who have higher fitness levels. It is important to maintain as high a level of fitness as possible in the face of memory loss in order to slow its progress. As brain mass decreases, so does cognitive performance, but the fitter a person is, the longer it will take for the disease to progress.

It is important for Alzheimer’s patients and their families to seek support from their communities when dealing with memory loss. Very often, patients and their families feel isolated and are unaware of services available to them. There are memory and aging clinics in many communities that are equipped to assess cognitive function and prescribe a plan of action to help slow the progression of memory loss. Qualified physicians and counselors can work with the individual and family members to improve quality of life and learn skills to cope with the progressive nature of memory loss. Depending on the patient’s prognosis, there is much that can be done to prolong an active lifestyle through geriatric assessment.

If going to a health club is not possible for someone in the early stages of memory loss, working with a personal trainer can be the answer to raising the fitness level of the patient. Personal trainers conduct workout sessions in the homes of their clients as well as other convenient locations. The one-on-one attention is beneficial, especially to someone contending with memory loss.

It is always best to consult a physician about any changes in cognitive behavior, as well as before embarking on an exercise routine. With the right guidance, individuals with memory loss can maintain active, fulfilling lives.

Dr. David Tal is a specialist in geriatric medicine and runs the Age Matters Clinic in Toronto.

Avaneil John is a personal fitness trainer in Toronto.

Many of us don’t mind the cold and are more than happy to take our canine friends out whenever they have to do their “business.” For those of us who want or need to avoid spending as little time outdoors during the winter as possible, it’s good to know that dog walking services are available whenever and wherever we need them.

Professional dog walkers are lifesavers for many people, especially this time of year when venturing outdoors can be treacherous for some. It can be challenging for seniors and other individuals who might be prone to slipping and falling on ice to go out and walk their dogs. That’s why dog walkers are so important; they allow us to keep our beloved canine companions by our sides without having to worry about the elements. Many dog walkers have client lists that include seniors and other home-bound individuals who rely on them to walk their dogs as often as necessary. When the weather turns nasty, it is a comfort to many to know that trained, caring professionals are always available to make sure their dogs are well cared for.

Winter is also a time when families want to get away from the snowy weather for holidays in warmer climes. Now that we have the Family Day holiday in Ontario in February, more people are taking advantage of booking that winter holiday in Florida, Mexico or another tropical location. This year, instead of boarding your dog at the kennel, you can arrange for a dog walker to visit your pets as often as necessary to ensure they are fed and walked, without the worry of leaving your animals in a strange place. You’ll have a more enjoyable holiday knowing your pet is safe in familiar surroundings, rather than in a kennel with animals he is unfamiliar with.

There’s no time like the present to consider dog walking services. Now that the new year is upon us, resolve to make life less stressful for you and your dog. Hiring a dog walker will not only make your life easier, it will benefit your pets as well.

Amber Brown is a Toronto-based canine expert whose blogs and articles appear on Web sites and in magazines across North America.

Wedding dresses come in all shapes, styles and sizes – and prices. The thing is, you don’t have to spend a fortune for one you will look absolutely spectacular in. Many women want a look inspired by those famous wedding gown designers, but can’t afford to spend the price of a small car on the actual dress. Fortunately, there are many places where you can find discount wedding dresses, and no one has to know you didn’t spend thousands.

The centerpiece of every wedding is the bride. The wedding dress she chooses will forever be remembered by her family, friends and guests at her wedding, so it has to be perfect. The look will be immortalized in pictures and on video that she will look back on for the rest of her life. She may even pass on her dress  for her daughter to wear one day at her wedding.

Finding the perfect dress has never been easier. Gone are the days when brides had few options other than to pore over magazines and visit local bridal shops. Now, with the Internet, brides have endless options. All the bridal magazines have Web sites, as do boutiques and dress designers; a bride can literally look at thousands of dresses before she finds the right one. And let’s not forget all the blogs out there offering advice on which dress to choose based on the location and theme of the wedding. There is help out there for the asking; it’s the choosing that’s the hard part!

Discount wedding dresses are easy to locate no matter where you live. You can even purchase your dress online if you spot the right one. If the price is right and the look is the one you’ve dreamed of all your life, you’ll know it when you see it. The right dress doesn’t have to clean out your bank account; even though your wedding day will only happen once, it’s wise to know your financial limitations when it comes to choosing the right dress.

The key to finding that perfect dress is all about your attitude. Focus on how it looks and how you feel in it, rather than how much it costs. When you nail that down, you won’t worry that you didn’t spend enough and that your dress looks “cheap.” As long as you love what you see, price doesn’t matter.

Hannah Glass is a bridal expert based in Toronto, Ontario. She blogs for the top bridal Web sites, and her work appears in the most glamorous bridal magazines on newsstands.

The solution to the problem? Have your ducts cleaned, pronto!

Many homeowners forgo duct cleaning thinking that they couldn’t possibly have that much nasty buildup lurking in their system. Well, guess what? It’s there, and it can cause more trouble than you think.

Dirty air ducts can contribute to respiratory issues like asthma, in addition to spreading germs throughout your home. Have you ever wondered why one member of your family gets sick and then all of a sudden, you’re all sick? And, then you keep passing the same cold or flu back and forth between one another? The answer is, because all that gunk in your air ducts keeps circulating throughout your home causing those germs to linger in the air. The only solution is to invest in professional air duct cleaning several times a year to ensure that you, your family and your home stay healthy.

Professional air duct cleaners generally recommend a thorough cleaning at least twice a year: once in the spring, around the time you shut off your heating system, and before you turn on your air conditioning. You should repeat the procedure again in the fall, ideally right before you turn your heating system back on. Of course, if you or other members of your family suffer from allergies or respiratory ailments, duct cleaning should be performed more often in order to ensure that your family is breathing clean, healthy air at all times.

In some cases, duct cleaning is also necessary to remove critters and their nesting materials from your air ducts. Sometimes, squirrels, birds and other varmints will make themselves a nice home in your air ducts, leaving behind things like twigs, straw and other debris that can block your system, keeping it from operating efficiently. The animals can also get trapped and die in the duct work, and the resulting smell is something you do not want in your home. It is important to check your vents and ducts periodically to ensure that there are no unwanted tenants making a home in them. The same goes for clothes dryer vents – lint buildup is a fire hazard that could imperil your home.

Never neglect your air ducts; regular cleaning is the most inexpensive, convenient way to keep your heating and cooling systems operating at peak efficiency, and keep your family healthy year round.

Adam Blair is the owner of a professional duct cleaning company in Toronto, Ontario, and a blogger for many popular home improvement and maintenance Web sites.

Did you know that lefties:

•     Are more likely to have allergies

•     Live on average 9 years less than right handed people

•     Are twice as likely to be male

•     Are better at multitasking

•     Are more likely to pursue creative careers

•     Are more likely to be extremely intelligent

•     Reach puberty slightly later than right handers

•     Mainly use the right side of their brain

And…

There is a special day devoted to celebrating left handedness: August 13.

Now that we’ve dispensed with the interesting facts, you may not be aware how hard it is for left handed golfers to find the perfect set of left handed golf clubs. It used to be so difficult that many lefties who wanted to take up the game used to have to do so right handed. Fortunately, all that has changed, and there are many sources, both online and brick and mortar locations, where left handed golf clubs are plentiful.

All left handed golfers including men, ladies and kids can use the site as a resource to find woods, irons, wedges, putters and all the accessories needed to outfit yourself whenever you want to hit the links. Lefties don’t have to teach themselves to make do in a right handed world; now everything right handers get to enjoy can be enjoyed by lefties as well.

If you are left handed and love to golf, you can find all the information you need about purchasing the perfect set of left handed golf clubs by visiting Left Handed Golf Club.

Phil Byatt is a left handed golfer and a golf instructor. His blogs and articles appear on golf  Web sites and in golfing magazines.

Speaking of the basics, that’s usually the best place to start. Make it fun for your kids by giving them cool and unique toothbrushes and fun-flavored toothpastes to make it a cool sensory experience. Kids will shy away from anything that tastes “yucky” and unpleasant, so you need to make a good first impression when it comes to dental care.

After they’ve gotten into the habit of brushing at least twice a day, you can expand their education to include fun crafts and activities that will encourage them to develop a positive attitude about keeping their teeth and gums healthy. Look for fun posters with pictures that will show them how much fun it is to brush and floss.

The most important step to ensure your kids grow up with strong healthy teeth is to find a pediatric dentist in your area. Years ago, pediatric dentistry wasn’t common, but today, there are plenty of dental practices that cater exclusively to children. Taking your kids to the dentist when they’re young will get them used to the experience and they’ll be less likely to be afraid when they’re older. A good pediatric dentist and his staff will make it an enjoyable experience for your kids, and encourage them to take care of their teeth. The longer you put it off, the less likely your child will be to develop strong habits. It’s important to get them started when they’re young. Remember to always tell them that brushing is fun!

For more information about finding a pediatric dentist in your area, click here.

Sean Shen is a pediatric dental expert who frequently writes for blogs, magazines and Web sites.

If a custom built home has always been your dream acquisition, you should hire a home architect to help you build it.

Everyone has their own unique taste that is reflected in the type of home they choose to live in. Designing and building that home can be a painstaking process, but when you are working with a professional, they are with you every step of the way. When you retain the services of a home architect, he or she will ensure that everything you’ve ever dreamed about having in a home will become reality.  Specific details, including an assessment of the physical property as well as any modifications that need to be made in order to satisfy the client’s unique needs. From there, the architect will begin visualizing the structure, utilizing information obtained from the client. This will eventually become the blueprint by which the actual home will be constructed.

Collaborating with a professional means you can expect top-quality construction, and all that you need to create a comfortable space for everyone in your family. Designing and building a new home means that all the elements you desire will be part of the plan. Home architects work side-by-side with all their clients to help them realize the dream of owning a home no one else has lived in. Their contacts with contractors and craftsmen ensure the structure will be built to its exact specifications. It is imperative that the architect remain involved in order to oversee the work of contractors and craftsmen.

A custom built home that is yours and yours alone is the ultimate acquisition, one you will be proud to live in and show off to everyone.

For more information about how you can hire a home architect to build the home of your dreams, click here.

Arthur Campbell is a Toronto Ontario-based Home Architect who designs and builds custom homes throughout the United States and Canada.