Columbia Aged Care

There are 3.85 million people in Australia who are living with arthritis. Arthritis can make even the simplest of everyday tasks difficult and painful to complete, with many people unable to enjoy the best quality of life possible.

Bluesky Healthcare have provided several simple and practical tips to help relieve the pain of arthritis, keep you mobile and make daily activities easier so you can improve on your quality of life.

1. Keep Moving
Regular exercise is one of the most effective treatments of arthritis as it helps to strengthen your muscles and bones which increases flexibility and helps to reduce pain in muscles and joints.

Some great exercises for arthritis sufferers include:

• Warm water exercises such as aqua aerobics, aqua therapy or even simply swimming laps in a pool.
• Regular walks
• Chair-based exercise classes
• Tai Chi is a gentle exercise that involves smooth, flowing movements that helps reduce pain and stiffness

2. Pace yourself and rest when you need to
When living with arthritis it is important to work out a balance between work and rest.

Break larger tasks like cooking dinner into smaller steps and rest in between each step. Don’t set high expectations – enjoying exercise, time with family and leading a happy life is much more important that cooking a five star meal or maintaining a spotless house!

3. Enjoy a good night’s sleep
Sleep helps your body recover and repair itself and most people will feel much better after a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, arthritis can make it difficult to sleep and as less sleep lowers your pain threshold this can quickly become a vicious cycle.

Owning a bed with a supportive mattress can help to put an end to this cycle and can help you achieve a better night’s sleep.

Read the full article here.

If you have noticed that your loved one has begun rapidly losing weight or they seem unhealthily skinny, it is a good idea to first take them on a trip to their GP to ensure there is no underlying cause.

In most cases you may find the reason your loved one is underweight is due to their diet not providing them with enough calories or energy. This can lead to health complications such as weaker bones or a weaker immune system.

NHS Choices has provided some tips to help your loved one manage their changing appetite.

Helping your loved one to manage their changing appetite

As people get older it is common for their appetite to get smaller. Although this may be the case it is still important for your loved one to make sure they are getting all the energy and nutrients that their body needs.

• Switch to eating smaller meals and more frequent snacks
• Eat healthy, high quality foods
• Don’t fill up on biscuits and cakes

Some healthy snack ideas:

• Porridge with fresh or dried fruit
• Sardines on toast
• Beans on toast with cheese sprinkled on top
• Nuts (it’s best to go for the unsalted variety)

Read the full article here.

As we age we become more likely to suffer sleep deprivation. While aging itself is not the cause, lifestyle changes as a result of aging can cause disturbed sleep, insomnia or tiredness during the day. These causes include taking medications that may impair sleep or stimulate wakefulness, chronic pain, illness such as arthritis or asthma, lack of exercise or psychological stress.

Helpguide has provided a useful article with sleep tips for the elderly. Some of these ideas are:

• Keep a regular sleep schedule – Go to bed and wake up at the same times every day, even on weekends.
• Be engaged – Social activities, family, and work can keep your activity level up and prepare your body for a good night’s sleep.
• Go to bed early - Adjust your bedtime earlier, to match when you feel like going to bed.
• Spend time outside – Bright sunlight increases melatonin, which regulates your sleep-wake cycles. Try to get at least two hours of sunlight a day.

If you don’t feel fully alert during the day, a nap may be just what you need. Although napping too close to bedtime can interfere with night-time sleeping, short naps early in the day can improve overall restfulness. For many people, taking a brief nap can provide energy to perform fully for the rest of the day. Experiment with napping to see if it helps you.

Some tips for good napping:

• Short – Make sure your nap is only 15 to 30 minutes long. You may feel groggy and unable to concentrate after a longer nap.
• Early – Nap early in the afternoon. Napping too late in the day may disrupt your night-time sleep. 
• Comfortable – Try to nap in a comfortable environment, preferably with limited light and noise.

If you still can’t sleep, your doctor may be able to help. Don’t expect to sleep poorly as you age. Just as younger adults can solve their sleep problems, so can you.

Read the full article HERE.

For elderly people it can be hard to know how much to eat. As we age, the metabolism changes along with dietary requirements. Helpguide have provided a user-friendly article to help older people understand how much food their bodies need each day.

Helpguide recommend that elderly people tailor their diets to their level of activity. For those who are not physically active, less calories are needed. The article also provides a comprehensive guide to choosing vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, classifying by colour, which makes it easy to remember. For example:

Fruit – Focus on whole fruits rather than juices for more fibre and vitamins and aim for around 1½ to 2 servings each day. Break the apple and banana rut and go for colour-rich pickings like berries or melons.

Veggies – Colour is your credo in this category. Choose anti-oxidant rich dark leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, and broccoli as well as oranges and yellows, such as carrots, squash, and yams. Try for 2 to 2½ cups of veggies every day.

Water – Seniors are prone to dehydration because our bodies lose some of its ability to regulate fluid levels and our sense of thirst is dulled. Post a note in your kitchen reminding you to sip water every hour and with meals to avoid urinary tract infections, constipation, and possibly confusion.

Vitamin D – We get most of vitamin D—essential to absorbing calcium—through sun exposure and a few foods (fatty fish, egg yolk, and fortified milk). With age, our skin is less efficient at synthesizing vitamin D, so consult your doctor about supplementing with fortified foods or a multivitamin.

Eating according to your metabolic and dietary needs can immediately improve quality of life and enhance independence of elderly people.

To read the full article CLICK HERE.

The Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing has compiled a list of the most commonly asked aged care questions and provided answers.

*  Accessing care
    - How do I find an aged care home that meets my needs?
    - I need high-level care but I don't know how to track down Nursing Homes in my area. Is there a list of them anywhere? 
    - What is an ACAT Assessment and why do I need one?  
    - Who makes the decision whether I could receive community care at home or need to go into an aged care home?

* Aids and equipment
     - I have a teletypewriter but my sister does not. How can I ring her if I need to?

* Carer support
     - My aunt is living at home, but only managing because I help her a lot. I have my elderly mother and my own family to care for as well and am finding it increasingly difficult to cope. Is there someone I can talk to about what I can do?

* Caring for someone in care
    - I've looked after Dad since Mum died, but now he is going to an aged care home. Will they do everything for him?

* Cultural and identified needs
   - I am a war veteran from another country but now an Australian citizen. Should I go to DVA or Centrelink for my income assessment? 
   - We live in the country - is residential care available locally or will grandma have to go away from her family and friends?

* Culturally and linguistically diverse
    - Do aged care homes provide care for specific cultural or linguistic groups? 
    - How do I find an aged care home with residents and staff who speak my language so I can communicate with them?

* Entering an aged care home
    - Once I go into an aged care home, do I have to stay there?

* Fees and costs
    - Do you pay fees before you move into an aged care home? 
    - How much does residential aged care cost? 
    - If I'm receiving transition care will I have to contribute to the daily cost? 
    - My fee advice letter mentioned Class C hardship supplement - what does that mean?

To view answers to these questions and many more Click Here