Columbia Aged Care

Massage is a fantastic way to ease pain, stress and improve health and well being. There are many benefits massage can have on elderly people.

Elderly massage uses a different technique to massage for younger people. There are different physiological changes that occur in the body as you age and massage therapists need to take this into account.

It is a natural trend, as we age, to become less active and massage can significantly benefit the effects ageing and less physical activity has on us.

Ezinearticles.com has provided several reasons why elderly massage is beneficial.

• Research has shown massage is a useful in the treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s as it has shown to facilitate relaxation and communication
• Assists in arthritic pain management
• Promotes natural joint lubrication – which is extremely important for arthritis sufferers
• Helps to increase strength and muscle coordination
• Boosts energy levels and mental awareness
• Can improve posture by reducing muscle tension

For most elderly people pain management is treated through pharmaceutical medications, however, massage can be used as a natural substitute to conventional medical methods as it can help ease and even eliminate pain.

Read the full article here.

Change in memory is normal as we grow older. Occasionally forgetting where you left your keys or what you where about to say aren’t usually things to start worrying about. Alzheimer’s disease is not a simple lapse in memory – it is much more complex.

A Place for Mom has provided a checklist developed by the Alzheimer’s Association to help recognise the difference between normal age-related memory changes and possible warning signs of the disease.

Warning signs of Alzheimer’s:

1. Warning sign – Memory loss: Often forgetting recently learned information.
What’s normal? Occasionally forgetting names or appointments.

2. Warning sign – Difficulty performing familiar tasks: People with dementia will often find it hard to complete or plan everyday tasks.
What’s normal? Occasionally forgetting why you walked into a room or what you were going to say.

3. Warning sign – Problems with language: People with Alzheimer’s disease will often forget simple words or substitute a word in that does not make sense.
What’s normal? Difficulty in sometimes finding the right word to say.

There is no clear cut line between what is normal and what could possibly be a warning sign. However, if you notice your loved one’s level of function begins to change it is a good idea to go and visit a doctor.

Read the full article here.

The Alzheimer's Association in the US have provided 10 signs to help you recognise that Alzheimer's Disease might becoming a problem for an elderly person in your care.

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

4. Confusion with time or place
People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget forget where they are or how they got there.

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining colour or contrast.

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name.

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.

8. Decreased or poor judgment
People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favourite sports team or remembering how to complete a favourite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.

10. Changes in mood and personality
The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.