Columbia Aged Care

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.

 

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.

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.

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.

Choosing the right nursing home can be difficult and overwhelming for many carers. You want to ensure that the nursing home you choose will provide the best care for your loved one. However, with so many nursing homes available, how do you compare them to ensure you make the right choice?

The first step to finding the right nursing home is to start searching for homes in your area. Once you have a list of potential nursing homes you should then visit each home to assess them.

The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing has put together a Nursing Home checklist that will help you to compare each nursing home by asking the right questions.

Some of the questions on the Nursing home checklist are:

Staff

• What was the attitude of the staff assisting you?
• What training do the care staff have?
• How many staff members provide overnight care?
• What type of care or services cannot be provided?

Rooms

• Are single rooms available or will your loved one have to share?
• What arrangements are there to ensure privacy for residents?
• What furnishings and personal items can your loved one bring and what is supplied?

Food

• What are the meal arrangements?
• Is there easy access to well-maintained outdoor areas?

Other

• How can family and friends be involved in your loved one’s care?
• What transport is accessible for visiting shops and family?
• Can the nursing home meet your loved one’s medical and special needs?
• Do you or your loved one understand the costs associated with care?

You can also prepare your own specific questions to add to the checklist and remember to take a new checklist to every nursing home you visit.

Feel free to conduct second or third visits to each nursing home to ensure you make the right choice.

Hopefully with a little bit of preparation and by asking the right questions you can find the best nursing home for your loved one.

Read the full checklist here.

Home and personal security is an important part of creating a comfortable living situation and having peace of mind at any age. Many elderly people live alone or have limited mobility and can therefore be an easy target for burglaries.

However, most burglaries can be prevented by using a number of simple home and personal security measures.

The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing has some great tips on how to secure your home and reduce your risk of burglary:

• Use security deadlocks and grilles on doors and windows.
• Always lock all outside doors and windows when you go out, even if it’s for 5 minutes.
• Lock up parts of the house you can’t keep an eye on.
• Prune bushes and trees that hide your home’s windows and doors.
• Don’t hide extra keys in flowerpots or under mats.

Here are some basic safety tips for your personal security:

• Always be aware of other people and your immediate surroundings.
• Be aware of situations that could make you vulnerable to crime, such as laneways, back streets, and poorly lit parking lots.
• Don’t carry large sums of money. Pay your bills by cheque, credit card or over the phone.
• When you are banking always vary your routine.
• If you carry a handbag, hold it under your arm or in front of you and never leave it unattended.

You should always stay up to date on any security issues in your neighbourhood and if a crime does occur contact your local police station.

For more information on how to improve your home and personal safety contact your local Neighbourhood Watch or police station.

Read the full article here.

Bed sores can be a common problem in elderly people, which can lead to pain and discomfort for your loved one. Bed sores are the result of prolonged pressure to the skin, which prevents a sufficient amount of blood flow and nutrients to the skin tissue. Ulcerations or sores then develop on the skin, typically over bony prominences.

Bedsores can develop if your loved one is bedridden or sitting for a prolonged period of time without being properly repositioned. Common areas for bed sores to look out for are hipbones, lower back, tail-bone, knees and shoulders. 

www.bedsores.org has provided some useful information on the risk factors for developing bedsores.

Confinement to bed, chair or wheelchair
If your loved one is unable to move themselves then they can develop bedsores in as little as 1-2 hours if the pressure is not relieved.

Loss of bowel or bladder control
Moisture on your loved ones skin from urine or perspiration can irritate the skin.

Poor nutrition or dehydration
If your loved one’s skin is not properly nourished bed sores can develop.

Carers must be aware of these risk factors when caring for their loved ones in order to prevent the unnecessary development of bed sores. Bedsores can be prevented if your loved one is repositioned frequently, bathed appropriately and any incontinence problems assessed and treated.

Remember that everyone is different and may have different risk factors and treatment options.

Read the full article here.

Many people become sceptical or reluctant to participate when it comes to creating New Year’s Resolutions. But why?

New Year’s resolutions tend to have an association with failure but they don’t have to. They can be a great way to create change in your life for the better. TransitionGuideance.com has provided several points on how to set effective and powerful goals and how to make sure you achieve them.

Make sure your resolutions meet the S.M.A.R.T.I.E conditions

• S: Specific and Simple
  When it comes to goal setting, it is important to specify what you want – not what you don’t want.
  
  Creating the resolution of “I don’t want to be alone this year” may sound simple but is far from specific. Instead focus on what you can do to find companionship and give your resolution a specific outcome.
• M: Measurable
  
  In addition to your goals being simple and specific make sure there is a measurable element if needed.
  
  “I want to make more money this year” is simple and specific however how can you measure it at the end of the year? You may have succeeded in making one dollar more – but would you count that as successful?
• A: Achievable
  When creating your resolution make sure it is just that – yours! Your resolutions shouldn’t be about your partner, family, children or the world.
  
  They should reflect what you want to achieve throughout the year not what you want somebody else to achieve.
• R: Realistic
  Aim for goals that are realistic for you. If you have set goals in the past you may be setting goals that are too challenging. On the other hand if you have reached all your goals with no effort what so ever you may not be challenging yourself enough.
  
  Set goals that are achievable but you know you will have to work towards.
• T: Timeframe
  Creating a goal with a specific and achievable timeframe in mind will not only motivate you but if will also make it easier for you to plan and measure your achievements.
• I: Inspirational
  Monetary based goals are one of the most popular goals set but when it comes down to it it’s not about the money but what you will be able to do with the money – that is your inspiration.
  
  Think about what you really want to achieve by achieving your goal and set that as your inspiration.
• E: Evidence
  Start the beginning with the end in mind. What will need to happen in order for you to know you have achieved your goal?

Read the full article here.

Depending on our age and wellbeing, our diet continually changes throughout our life. What we are putting in to our mouths is very important when aiming for a well-balanced diet. The elderly in particular must keep track of the many foods they are consuming. Lack of some foods and too much of others can result in a lack of nutrients.

Aging Care has listed some important nutrients that your loved one should include in a well-balanced and healthy diet.

Omega 3 fatty acids
Foods with omega 3 fatty acids have been proven to reduce heart disease and arthritis. Omega 3 fatty acids can be found in different types of food such as fish and flaxseed oil. Making sure your loved one has a serving of omega 3 fatty acids twice per week will ensure that they are having the right amount of nutrition intake.

Calcium
Your loved one’s diet should consist of a substantial intake of calcium. This is because calcium can help preserve bone health and lower blood pressure.  It is recommended milk is consumed daily. However, to find out how much milk you loved one should be consuming it is best to consult your doctor.

Hydrate
One of the most simple and commonly forgotten forms of nutrition is liquids. As people age however, they tend to not get as thirsty. Our bodies, however, still need the same amount of liquids.

If you notice your loved one is not drinking as often as they should, try and encourage them to drink amounts of water that is appropriate for their body type. Consulting with your doctor would be a great way of knowing how much water or liquids they should be consuming.

Before making any changes to your loved one’s diet, it is important to consult a doctor to make sure that any changes made will not have a negative effective on your loved one’s health.

It is important to have a moderate amount of all types of foods within your loved ones diet to ensure that they are getting the right amount of solids to help stay strong and healthy. By setting an example and making eating a social activity, you may be able to show them that a few dietary changes aren’t so drastic.

Read full article here.

With summer on the way, many families are getting ready for their holidays and the Christmas break. Unfortunately, it is around this time of the year that heat waves become more frequent.

Australian summer is familiar with days of extreme heat and humidity. Unfortunately, the relaxing atmosphere of summer can also bring about heat-related illnesses that can affect many people, particularly the elderly.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has provided some tips on how extreme heat can be dealt with. It is important to encourage your loved one to apply such tips during days of extreme heat.

1. Drink plenty of fluids
To make sure your loved one is not dehydrated, it is important that a substantial amount of water intake occurs in extreme heat conditions. It may also be of use to ask your doctor about the amount of water or fluids your loved one should intake daily to ensure that they are acquiring a healthy amount suitable for their body type.

2. Wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen
In extreme heat conditions it can be easy to forget the most basic summer rules. Plenty of clothes and sunscreen are essential on days where heat-related illnesses are prevalent. By encouraging your loved one to wear a hat and some sunscreen it may be helpful in preventing sun stroke and fatigue.

3. Pace yourself
Elderly people sometimes take on a number of tasks during the day that can strain and tire them very easily. It is important to remember that in extreme heat conditions, the hot environment can leave your loved ones feeling more tired than usual. By advising them to stop between each activity and ensure that they have some rest in a shady area, it may help them relax and stay focused.

By monitoring high risk situations you may be able to help your loved one deal with unpleasant heat conditions.

Read full article here.