Here are some of the conditions our PSW’s and Caregivers have specialized in:

• Acquired Brain Injuries

Our PSW’s who’ve specialized working with individuals who’ve suffered from ABI’s have a good understanding of the physical, cognitive, emotional and social changes that may manifest in the affected individual. As such, they have developed the necessary skills and patience it requires to safely and efficiently provide the best possible care in the most dignifying manner to those who have suffered such trauma.
Check out our resources page to find more information about: Acquired Brain Injuries

• Alzheimers/Dementia

With a lot of patience and understanding, our PSW’s are equipped with all the necessary tools to assist you and your loved ones through the challenging transitions in physical and mental functioning accompanied by this progressive condition. To assist you in understanding Alzheimers and Dementia in further detail, please visit our resources page: Alzheimers and Dementia

• Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy is one of the 160+ diseases which fall under the umbrella of neuromuscular disorders. Specifically, muscular dystrophy is characterized by a progressive deterioration of muscle strength in various parts of the body. The parts of the body affected, degree of deterioration, and age of onset vary with each individual case.

Our PSW’s who’ve specialized in working with muscular dystrophy have an increased body awareness and pay special attention when handling the clients’ body and extremities. We are highly aware that Range of Motion exercises play a huge role in maintaining this condition and slowing down the deterioration process of muscle tissues.

To assist you in understanding more about muscular dystrophy, click on our Other Resources tab at the top.

• Paraplegia/ Quadriplegia/Hemiplegia

Paraplegia is the medical term used to describe partial or complete paralysis of the lower half of the body, including the legs.

Quadriplegia refers to partial or complete paralysis of both arms and both legs. Hemiplegia describes the partial or complete paralysis of one arm and one leg on the same half of the body. One of the main causes of any sort of paralysis in the body is injury to the spinal cord. When the spinal cord is damaged, nerve impulses are no longer able to flow smoothly from the brain to the area of the body below the injury.

Other known causes of paralysis in the body are tumors near/within the spinal cord, motor neuron disease, spina bifida, strokes, and alcoholism. A PSW specializing in caring for clients with different levels of paralysis understand the importance of handling the paralyzed limbs with extra care and also paying close attention to their skin integrity. Since these clients cannot feel these parts of their bodies, it is imperative that we pay additional attention to them in order to ensure pressure sores or other skin deterioration does not occur.

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

MS is classified as an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. It attacks the protective covering of the nerves, thus causing interruptions in the transmission of nerve impulses through nerve fibres. Without a known cure, the effects of MS can be both physical and mental.

Some common symptoms of MS are extreme fatigue, lack of coordination, weakness, tingling, impaired sensation, vision problems, bladder problems, cognitive impairment, and mood changes. Our PSW’s experienced with MS understand that each person with MS has a different experience and a different combination of symptoms.

They know that non-medicinal strategies play a key role in managing MS. These include regular exercise and healthy diet, massage, adequate rest, and stress-management techniques. With this knowledge and awareness, we are able to enable and encourage our MS clients to pursue the best possible lifestyle habits.

• Geriatric Care

Many members of our Care Team have been prompted to pursue their careers after discovering their passion through caring for aging family members. As such, many of our employees have ample experience and prefer working with the senior population.

They find that being able to care for those who once cared for “us” is one of the greatest honours. Also, we are knowledgeable and aware of the fact that with changing societal values and priorities, the elderly and their needs are often marginalized.

With this awareness, we are even more driven to bridge the generational gap through meaningful interactions and dignified support. As a reward, we gain wisdom and learn life lessons from live encyclopaedias. The things you’ll never find on Google.

• Pre and Post - Operative Care

From hip surgery to lung transplants, every surgical procedure requires some level of preparation and extra care before and after the fact. Having had experience with a range of clients requiring surgical interventions, we have gained extensive knowledge and understanding of the physical and emotional challenges someone requiring surgery may go through. Some surgeries can be life-changing and we will witness people go through some of their best and worst moments.

Providing these clients with the utmost empathy and moral support will often make a significant difference in the final outcome. Many of our PSW’s take pride in being part of somebody’s journey in such an intimate manner. There is a lot of satisfaction in being a part of helping someone overcome some of the most difficult moments in their life.

• Palliative/Hospice/Terminal Care

Palliative care refers to the level of care and support required by someone who is living with a life-limiting illness, regardless of prognosis. This care is focused on symptom management, psychosocial support, and maximizing quality of life. Individuals suffering from conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and COPD would require this level of care.

When requiring hospice care, the individual in need is already diagnosed with a non-curative disease and doctors may predict life longevity to weeks or months. This type of care is also focused on symptom management, psychosocial support, as well as spiritual healthcare. Individuals suffering from conditions such as kidney disease, heart failure, and final stages of Alzheimer’s would require this level of care.

Terminal care is care provided to those individuals who are living through their last days or hours of their life journey. Whether it is cancer, dementia, or heart disease, individuals who are in the advanced stages of their disease would require this level of care. At this stage, symptom management, spiritual care, and psychosocial support from friends and family are most important.

• Respite Care

It is customary for children of aging parents to be first in line to provide care and support for their increasing needs. Same goes for immediate family members of individuals living with disabilities. As much as it is an honour to provide any level of care and support to family members in need, modern society makes it very difficult for us to do so when the cost of living requires all members of a household to contribute financially.

We often see primary Caregivers having to sacrifice their careers to care for a loved one. Alternatively, they hold on to their full-time jobs while caring for loved family members and eventually burn out physically and emotionally. In either scenario, the primary Caregiver experiences an overwhelming amount of pressure and guilt while the family member in their care starts feeling more like a burden.

Our team is here to ease the pressure on the primary Caregiver by listening carefully to their concerns and providing genuine, wholesome care to their family members. While the primary Caregiver is given the necessary respite, Pinnacle Care staff provides regular updates and maintains open communication with the primary Caregiver.

• Travel

What better way to learn about yourself and the world around you than through travel? Everyone deserves the opportunity to be adventurous and explore the world they live in. We recognize that this opportunity is minimized for the elderly and people living with disabilities due to all the challenges they must anticipate along their journey.

Our dedicated Pinnacle Family is able to help identify and overcome many of these challenges by using a combination of expertise, research and creativity. We have resources at our fingertips to help plan and execute your travel pursuits. We will accompany you on your travel journey to ensure your safety and maximum enjoyment throughout.