Columbia Aged Care

What are the symptoms of Parkinson's disease?

Wed, 23 May 2012 04:02:00 GMT

Parkinson’s disease is an illness that usually affects people between 50 and 75 years old. However, there have been many cases were people have developed the disease earlier in life.

Parkinson’s disease is caused when certain nerve cells in the brain become impaired or die.

These cells normally produce a vital chemical called dopamine, which helps coordinated the body’s muscles and movement. When these cells are damaged they stop producing the vital chemical and your muscles lose their ability to function effectively.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease develop gradually over many years and the rate of this deterioration can vary between each person.

Parkinson’s Australia has listed the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease that you should look out for.

Shaking and trembling: The first sign of Parkinson’s disease usually occurs when your hand begins to shake continuously. This shaking can then spread to one of your legs and then to the other side of your body. You can notice the shaking when you are sitting still or resting and it can be harder to detect while you’re moving.
Stiffness of your muscles: Your muscles may start to feel tight and you will find it difficult to relax your muscles, even when you’re resting. Your muscles may no longer move the way you want them to.
Your movement slows down: You may begin to lose the ability to make spontaneous movements. Your muscles may even freeze up at times and stop you from moving. Your coordination between your hands and your eyes may also become impaired.
Speech is impaired: In the later stages of Parkinson’s disease, your speech will be affected. Sometimes your speech will slow down or you will lose the ability to move your mouth correctly.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be treated with medication to help stimulate the movement of your muscles. However, sadly there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease at this stage.

Treatment for Parkinson’s disease will be different for every individual and you should consult with your doctor for the best approach.

Read the full article here.

What is healthy ageing and how to achieve it?

Wed, 16 May 2012 05:58:00 GMT

Healthy ageing means the process of ageing well and maintaining your physical and functional health.

The factors that help you age well include being independent, having social relationships, being able to enjoy life, staying productive or volunteering, having a purpose or passion, emotional support and how well you cope with difficulties.

It is important to understand the factors that help you to age well because you can actively add years to your life or increase your quality of life.

National Seniors Australia has provided some great tips to help you age well:

Maintain physical activity: Try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate activity each day. Work different muscles in your body by doing different types of exercises.

Maintain your balance: You need to maintain you balance to reduce your risk of falls. If you have concerns about your balance speak to your doctor to address any issues.

Smoking and alcohol use: Smoking dramatically speeds up the ageing process and will cause a number of related health problems. Drink alcohol in moderation by keeping to the rule of two standards drinks or less.

Maintain a balanced diet: Eat at least three meals each day, drink lots of water and eat a variety of healthy foods. You can speak with your doctor about how to create a healthy eating plan.

Keep your brain active: Make sure you exercise your mind by taking on challenges and doing mental activities. Do a puzzle or a crossword, learn to play a musical instrument or learn a new language.

Social connections: Spend time with your family and friends and maintain your social relationships with them. Get involved in a group or organisation to make new relationships with other people. By spending time socialising with other people, you can greatly boost your wellbeing and happiness.

Maintain a positive attitude: Keep an open mind and a positive attitude towards life and try to look on the bright side of a negative issue. This will help you to cope effectively with difficult situations.

Here is a simple Healthy Ageing Quiz you can take to determine if you are ageing well. It also provides you with tips to improve your score and increase your ability to age well. You can also download a copy of the Healthy Ageing Quiz here.

Read the full article here.

How to maintain meaning and happiness in your life as you age

Wed, 09 May 2012 05:21:00 GMT

As you get older you will experience many changes in your life and lose the things that once occupied your time.

For example, when you retire and your children move away, you may wonder what to do with all your free time. The key to dealing with these changes is to rediscover your purpose and zest for life.

This is the best time to start finding new things that bring meaning to your life and finding new ways of experiencing happiness. You can become more active and start doing the things you love and enjoy.

Helpguide.org has provided some great examples of how you can find meaning and happiness in your life.

Pick up a long, neglected hobby
Play with your grandchildren or a pet
Learn something new, such as a foreign language or a musical instrument, which will also help to keep your mind sharp
Get involved in your community or volunteer to help a charity organisation
Join a club
Travel around Australia or the world
Spend time outside and experience nature
Visit your friends and family
Exercise
Learn a new skill or take a course

Everyone enjoys different activities, which means there are many more ways you can find happiness in your life. Think about what you enjoy and make it a new purpose in your life to do it.

One of the best ways to find happiness and cope with the changes in your life is to spend time with friends or family and to do things that make you laugh.

Read the full article here.

What is a stroke and how to prevent it?

Wed, 02 May 2012 06:35:00 GMT

A stroke is a serious medical issue that can affect your brain and disrupt the normal functioning of your body.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to your brain is suddenly disrupted. Blood is carried to your brain by blood vessels called arteries. When these arteries are blocked blood is unable to reach your brain.

When the blood flow to your brain stops your brain does not get enough oxygen, which can cause serious damage to your brain cells. If you do not receive medical assistance quickly then parts of your brain will be damaged beyond repair.

The effects of a stroke can vary depending on your body and the size of the stroke. Small strokes may result in minor effects. Larger strokes can cause a coma, paralysis to the body or sometimes even death.

If a stroke occurs it is important to know the warning signs and to seek medical assistance urgently.

The Stroke Foundation has some great advice about the signs and prevention strategies for a stroke. They recommend the F.A.S.T detection method to help you determine if someone is experiencing a stroke.

Here is the F.A.S.T warning signs of a stroke:

Face: Check a person’s face to see if part of it has dropped down. For example, the side of their mouth may have drooped.
Arms: Check if they have mobility in both their arms.
Speech: Check if their speech is slurred. Determine if they can still understand you.
Time: If any of these signs occur call 000 immediately. Calling for medical assistance quickly can mean the difference between experiencing a good recovery or a severe disability.

Your chance of getting a stroke is increased if you suffer from an irregular heartbeat, high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure. A stroke can be prevented if these risk factors are managed correctly by consulting with your doctor to receive the right treatment

You can start taking simple steps to reduce your risk of stroke, such as:

Quit smoking
Reduce your alcohol consumption
Eat healthy meals
Being physically active

By taking these active steps to prevent your risk of a stroke, and by knowing the warning signs, you can greatly reduce the severity and long term damage of a stroke.

For more information and to view the F.A.S.T warning signs visit the Stroke Foundation website.

ANZAC Day - How will you commemorate it?

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:38:00 GMT

Today we celebrate ANZAC Day to commemorate the brave soldiers who fought and lost their lives in the First World War.

ANZAC Day is held on the 25 April every year to mark the anniversary of Australia and New Zealand’s military involvement in the First World War.

The war began in 1914 in Europe and quickly involved other countries including Germany, Russia, Japan, Britain and the United States. Australia was a newly formed commonwealth and was eager to join the war to support Britain and establish our nation in the world.

Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and fought for eight months against the Turkish soldiers. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed along with many Turkish soldiers.

Australia’s involvement in the war left a huge impact on Australia as a nation and created the ANZAC Legend. The ANZAC Legend symbolises our identity and values and demonstrated our national culture to the world.

How can you commemorate ANZAC Day?
You can commemorate ANZAC Day by attending a Dawn Service in your local community. Many communities around Australia hold an ANZAC Day service at dawn and then again later in the day.

It’s a great idea to take your family to the service and pass down the history of the ANZAC Legend. You can educate your loved ones about the sacrifices and the hardships of the First World War and commemorate the memory of the soldiers who lost their lives.

Your local RSL will hold special events for ANZAC Day such as a fun game of two-up.

You can also attend the largest Dawn Service in Sydney, which will be held at The Cenotaph in Martin Place at 4:00am. If you missed the service there is another one at The Cenotaph in Martin Place at 5:00pm.

If you are unable to attend an event for ANZAC Day you can watch the Dawn Service on your television. The ABC will show the ANZAC Day march in Sydney at 9am until 12:30pm. At 12:30pm the ABC will show the Dawn service held in Gallipoli.

For more information about ANZAC Day click here.

How to prevent mould in your home

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 05:49:00 GMT

With an increase in wet weather it is important to know how to take care of your home by preventing the growth of mould.

Mould is a type of fungus that thrives in rainy weather. It usually grows in wet or moist areas of your home that lack adequate ventilation. Mould can grow on walls, ceilings, bathroom tiles, carpets, insulation and wood.

If mould is present in your home it can cause a danger to your health. Mould produces spores that are carried in the air and can be inhaled unintentionally. Symptoms of inhaling excessive amounts of mould spores include a blocked nose, irritated eyes, wheezing and mould infections in severe cases.

People who suffer from asthma, a weakened immune system or severe allergies have a higher risk of developing a mould infection in their lungs.

NSW Government Health has provided some helpful advice on how to prevent mould growth in your home.

Maintain proper ventilation
Always turn on exhaust fans in the bathroom, kitchen or laundry
Open windows in damp areas of your house to encourage air flow
Control humidity by limiting the number of indoor plants in your house
Repair plumbing problems and water leakages
If an area of your house gets wet make sure you properly dry the area and throw away anything that cannot be dried
Prevent rising damp by hiring a professional to install waterproof barriers in your walls
Make sure air vents in your house remain uncovered
Purchase damp-rid containers and place them in rooms susceptible to mould. These containers help to soak up extra moisture in the air and prevent the growth of mould.

The key to preventing mould is to reduce moisture in your home. If mould is present in your home you should remove it immediately by calling a professional mould removalist.

Read the full article here.

How to find your family history

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 03:41:00 GMT

Are you interested in your family history and want to discover all of the branches in your family tree?

Then you can use the internet and family history websites to research your family tree and discover past family members you never knew existed.

There are many family history websites that have collected an enormous database of records on birth, death and marriages, Australian censuses, military records, electoral roles and more. These websites allow you to find the missing links in your family tree by conducting automated searches through these records.

These websites are a great way to organise and preserve your family history to pass along to the next generation and keep your history alive.

Researching your family history also provides the perfect opportunity to connect with your loved ones over a discussion about your family tree.

Ancestry.com.au is the world’s largest online family history resource with billions of genealogical records in their database.

How to use Ancestry.com.au:

Enter your details: Type in your name, birth date, where you were born and the same details for your parents. Your family tree will then be created and displayed on your computer screen.
Ask your family members: Have a conversation with your loved ones to discover the details of previous members of your family. You can then enter their details into your family tree.
The website will help you find family members: When your tree is created you will see a leaf symbol next to a person’s name. This symbol provides a hint to a possible family member discovered by the website database. You can click on the hint and add the person if they belong to your family.
Decorate your tree: You can upload photos to your tree, attach historical records and record audio.
Involve your family: You can send email invitations to your family members asking them to view your tree. Your family members can add any missing information, which will help you to grow your tree faster.

Here is a list of other family history websites you could use:

My Heritage Family Tree Builder
National Library of Australia
Family Search

Once you start researching your family tree you never know what you might discover. Maybe your family member was a convict or a military hero?

Whoever your family members are, you can keep their memory alive for future generations with a family tree.

Gift ideas and activities for Easter

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 02:18:00 GMT

Easter is this Sunday. Are you struggling for gift ideas or activities to do with your loved one?

The best gift you can give your loved one is to spend time with them.

Holidays can be a lonely time for elderly people if they are unable to spend it with family. By visiting your loved one over Easter it will show them how much you care about them.

There are many activities you can do together to celebrate Easter. Many families attend church together or share a meal for lunch or dinner.

Here is a list of things you can do at home or at your loved one’s nursing home:

Baking Easter treats: making biscuits or your own chocolate Easter eggs.
Easter parade: Family or nursing home members can create their own Easter hats and parade them for everyone else to see.
Sing Easter songs: Hold a sing-a-long with your loved one or attend a local Easter concert.
Games: Play board games or cards with your loved one.
Craft activities: Create cards, Easter baskets, paint Easter eggs or sew Easter bunnies with your loved one. Here is a link to make your own simple Easter bunny.

Buying Easter gifts for your loved one can be difficult because not all elderly people can eat chocolate. It’s a good idea to find out what foods they enjoy and buy them instead.

Here is a list of Easter gift ideas for your loved one:

Books with large font
Cross stitch kit
Knitting set
Painting set
Clothing
Crossword books
Puzzles
Plants for their garden

Great gifts are ones from the heart, so think about making your loved one something special for Easter.

Have a happy Easter!

How to help your loved one through a traumatic experience

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 03:44:00 GMT

If your loved one has experienced a traumatic or painful event they can suffer from the side effects for a long time.

Traumatic events are usually a frightening or distressing experience that can leave the person feeling numb or disconnected.

As a carer, it’s natural to want to help your loved one feel better and to assist them through this difficult time. You can’t take their pain away but you can help them to accept what has happened by providing essential support and advice.

Better Health Channel has provided some tips on how you can support your loved one:

Tell them you are sorry about what has happened and make it clear that you want to help them get through it.
Spend time with your loved one and keep them company.
Your loved one may experience emotional outbursts, which is a common side effect of a traumatic experience. Don’t take their outbursts to heart because they usually don’t mean what they say or do.
Offer practical support such as cooking dinner or going grocery shopping for them.
Help them return to their normal routine (when they are ready).
Talk about what happened and listen to them.
Try not to get upset.
Be patient and don’t pressure them to talk about the event if they are not ready.
Help them to relax and have fun again.
Help your loved one participate in physical activity, such as walking in the park. Exercise can help take their mind off the experience and help them to get a better night’s sleep.
Find appropriate ways to help them laugh.

Here are some reactions to avoid when helping your loved one through a traumatic experience:

Don’t ignore the event and don’t avoid talking about it.
Don’t judge their feelings or thoughts.
Don’t be impatient and expect them to get over the event quickly.
Don’t insist they need professional help straight away – not everyone who has experienced a traumatic event needs professional treatment. Give them time to deal with the trauma themselves but if you feel like things just aren’t getting better after a few days or weeks then consult a professional.

Your loved one may take a long time to recover from a traumatic event, but by supporting them and listening you can help them through the recovery process.

Read the full article here.

Help celebrate NSW Seniors Week

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 02:46:00 GMT

This week is NSW Seniors Week, which is the largest celebration for people aged over 60 in the southern hemisphere. This year’s theme is ‘Live Life!’ which aims to encourage seniors to actively participate in the community.

The purpose of NSW Seniors Week is to provide seniors with the opportunity to remain active and independent, to continue to learn, to expand their social networks and to share their wisdom with younger generations.

NSW Seniors week runs from 18 – 25 March 2012 and is presented by Ageing Disability and Home Care (ADHC).

You can help celebrate NSW Seniors Week by participating in one of the 900 free or discounted events throughout NSW.

Here is a list of events you might like to attend:

Retro Swing at Darling Harbour
Bring a touch of vintage glamour to Darling Harbour and swing to the tunes of the Kings of Swing. See vintage fashion parades, learn how to jive with Jennifer and Adam Stone and win prizes for best dressed.
Fri 23 March and Sat 24 March 2012 – Darling Harbour, Sydney

The Glamma Rays and Maria Venuti: Live at Riverside
See the timeless acapella quartet, the Glamma Rays, perform live at the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta. Maria Venuti will also perform popular cabaret songs.
Wed 21 March – Riverside Theatre, Parramatta

Ode to Joy – Beethoven’s Ninth by Strathfield Symphony Orchestra
The Strathfield Orchestra joined by the Wesley Institute Choir perform Beethoven’s Ode to Joy at the Strathfield Town Hall.
Sun 25 March 2012 – Strathfield Town Hall, Strathfield

Step Out & Get Active
Get active with a day of outdoor activities such as guided bush walks and water sports on the Port Hacking River.
Fri 23 March – The Royal National Park, Audley

Twilight Croquet
Learn how to play the English lawn game, croquet. Participate in a fun game with other seniors at the Strathfield Croquet Club.
Thu 22 March – Strathfield Croquet Club, Strathfield

Celebrate NSW Seniors Week and participate in a fun social event in your area.

To find an event in your area click here.

Clothing tips for your loved one

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 06:08:00 GMT

Your loved one may find it difficult to buy comfortable clothing that fits them properly. If your loved one suffers from arthritis or an injury they may also have difficulty dressing themselves.

You can make your loved one’s life easier by purchasing them clothing that is easy to put on and is comfortable to wear. You can buy adaptive clothing specially designed for people with restrictive movement, which will make it easier and less painful for your loved one to dress themselves.

If they suffer from dementia they may resist wearing certain types of clothing or have a favourite outfit. You can help them by purchasing multiple sets of their favourite outfit so they always have clean clothes to put on.

Aged Carer has provided some great tips for buying appropriate clothing for your loved one.

Choose natural fibre and cotton fabrics that breathe
Choose clothes with elastic waists
Buy slip on shoes with a non-slip sole
Stretchy fabrics
Bras that clip at the front for women with arthritis
Choose large buttons
Ensure there is lots of room in sleeves
Choose fabric that can be washed frequently and in water with temperatures up to 90 degrees if your loved one is in a nursing home
Choose clothes that don’t have to be ironed

You can help your loved one achieve a greater independence by buying them comfortable clothes that they can easily dress themselves in.

Read the full article here.

Are you at risk of Diabetes?

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 04:50:00 GMT

Diabetes is a chronic condition where your body is unable to produce or respond to insulin resulting in high blood sugar levels. Insulin is a hormone that allows the sugar in your blood to enter the cells of your body to be used for energy.

Without this hormone your body does not receive enough sugar which can result in hypoglycaemic shock, however, too much of this hormone means your body absorbs too much sugar which can produce the same reaction.

There are two types of diabetes; type one diabetes is usually diagnosed during childhood while type two diabetes is diagnosed in adults. If you are over the age of 45 then you could be at risk of developing type two diabetes.

MyDr has provided some helpful tips on the risk factors and symptoms of diabetes.

Diabetes can occur if you are:

Over 45 years old and have high blood pressure
Over 45 years old and are overweight
Over 45 and have one or more family members with diabetes
Over 55 years old
Have heart disease
Have had a heart attack in the past
Have had high blood sugar levels during pregnancy

Some symptoms of type two diabetes:

Excessive urination
Feeling thirsty all the time
Tired and lethargic

These symptoms are difficult to detect in elderly people because they are often misinterpreted as normal signs of aging. This means that many elderly people remain undiagnosed which can lead to serious health problems such as kidney damage, eye damage and increased risk of a stroke or heart attack.

However, if you have been diagnosed with diabetes you can manage your condition effectively by consulting with your doctor. You can also help manage your condition by not smoking, losing weight and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine.

Read the full article here.

Preventing Osteoporosis

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:44:00 GMT

Osteoporosis is a condition where human bones become fragile and brittle, which leads to a higher risk of breaks. This condition occurs when your bones can no longer replace their normal calcium levels, which results in a calcium deficiency. Bones become thinner and are susceptible to even minor accidents causing them to break.

The bones that commonly develop osteoporosis are the hips, spine, wrist, ribs, pelvis and upper arm. Osteoporosis is a serious disease that affects many elderly people and can lead to chronic pain, disability and loss of independence.

Osteoporosis Australia has provided some tips on how to minimise your risk of developing osteoporosis.

Ensure you receive enough calcium in your diet: Calcium is important for maintaining strong, healthy bones. Adults over the age of 50 should eat three serves of calcium a day. Foods that are high in calcium include milk, yoghurt and cheese.
Other foods with lower levels of calcium include nuts, breads, cereals, fruits and vegetables. Your Doctor can also recommend calcium supplements to help increase your daily intake of calcium.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D is important to maintain strong bones, increase the adsorption of calcium and to regulate the amount of calcium in the blood. You can receive your daily dose of vitamin D from exposure to sunlight.
It is important to receive six to eight minutes of sunlight everyday for five days a week. However remember to wear sunscreen and be aware of the damaging effects of the sun. You can also take vitamin D supplements as recommended by your doctor.
Exercise: Regular exercise can help to maintain and increase the strength of your bones and muscles. You should discuss with your Doctor or physiotherapist what exercises are suitable for you to do without injuring yourself. If you already suffer from osteoporosis then avoid exercises that include heavy lifting or sudden abrupt movements.

You can implement these three simple tips into your daily routine to help prevent the onset of osteoporosis. It’s never too early or too late to start taking care of your bones.

Read the full article here.

Managing your loved ones medication

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:34:00 GMT

As a carer it is extremely important to manage your loved ones medication to ensure they remain healthy. If medications are taken incorrectly they can cause dangerous side effects such as high blood pressure, incontinence, constipation, skin rashes or falls.

Medications must be administered at the right time with the right dosage, which can be difficult when your loved one has a variety of different medications.

Aged Carer has provided some useful tips for managing your loved ones medication.

Visit only one pharmacist: It’s important to establish a regular pharmacist because they will know the history of your loved one’s medication. They can also consult with your local doctor if there is an issue.
Use Webster or blister packs: Your loved one’s pharmacist can pack their medication into blister or Webster packs, which arranges their medications into separate days. This allows your loved one to access their medications safely and prevent over medicating.
Understand all medications: Read the consumer medication leaflet inside the medication package and keep them in a file for future reference. When you know the ingredients in your loved one’s medication you can help to prevent possible allergic reactions.
Know the side effects of medications: Ask your loved one’s doctor about the possible side effects they can experience from their medication. This will help you to assess the severity of any side effects that occur.
Keep an up-to-date medication list: This list should detail all of your loved ones medication, allergies and side effects to possible medications. It can be used in emergencies or by respite carers.

If you notice that your loved one is experiencing side effects from their medication consult with their doctor as soon as possible. However with these helpful tips on managing your loved ones medication you can help to prevent medication errors and keep your loved one healthy.

Read the full articlehere.

Tips to improve your mental fitness

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:45:00 GMT

Are you worried about losing your memory? Do you feel that your brain isn’t as sharp as it used to be? Then maybe it’s time that you improved your mental fitness.

Your brain is like any other muscle, which means it needs a regular workout to stay fit.

Better Health Channel has provided some great tips on how to give your brain a mental workout and improve your mental fitness.

Exercise for 30 minutes a day: Physical exercise increases the flow of oxygen to your brain to enhance your mental functioning and improve your memory
Reading regularly: Reading helps to stimulate your brain and allows you to learn new things. You brain then receives a workout by expanding your knowledge base.
Increase your vitamin B intake: Vitamin B is important for maintaining a healthy brain. This means you should eat wholegrain cereals and dairy foods.
Exercise your intelligence: Take part in mentally challenging activities such as learning a new language, completing a cryptic crossword or a jigsaw puzzle.
Maintain your health: The health of your body can have an effect on the health of your brain. You should visit your doctor for regular check-ups to identify potential health issues early.
Socialise: Other people can help you exercise your mental fitness with thought-provoking conversations or by playing a board game or watching TV game shows together.

Your brain is a very important muscle that co-ordinates all of your body’s functions. It is essential to exercise your mental fitness regularly to ensure that your body can function effectively and that your memory, speech, perception and comprehension remain sharp.

Read the full article here.