Columbia Aged Care

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.

Are you worried about having your hearing tested? Would you like to know what all the technical language and scientific tests mean? The HearingCenterOnline.com has provided some easy to understand information so that you will know what will happen when you get your hearing tested.

The Audiologist
An audiologist is a healthcare professional who is trained to identify and measure hearing impairments and related disorders. The audiologist will test your hearing in a number of different ways to determine where the hearing problem is located. At the end of your hearing test they will explain and interpret the results for you.

Your History
The audiologist will ask you some questions about your medical history to help them determine the best way to assist you with your hearing loss. They may ask you if any physical damage has ever occurred to your ears, if you have had past illnesses or if you have been exposed to damaging levels of noise.

The pure tone tests
The pure tone test helps the audiologist determine the degree at which you can hear different frequencies. For this test you will be required to sit in a quiet room with a set of headphones over your ears or with earplugs inserted into your ears. The audiologist will play a series of “pure tones” that vary in tone and volume. You will then be asked to raise your hand or push a button if you hear the tone.

Speech tests
For the speech test you will be required to sit in a quiet room and listen to a series of words. The words should have two syllables and will become quieter during the test. You will be required to repeat each word. This test allows the audiologist to determine the level at which you can detect and understand speech.

The audiologist may need to perform other tests on your ears to help them determine the extent of your hearing loss. At the end of all the tests your results will be displayed on a chart. The audiologist should then explain your results and what the next steps will be in treating your hearing. Remember don’t be afraid to ask questions or have them explain something you don’t understand.

Read the full article here.

This year’s winter seems to be one of the coldest we have had in a while. The cold weather can have health implications for us all but in particular vulnerable groups such as elderly people are most at risk.

Charnwood.gov has provided some helpful and simple tips to help you make sure your loved one stays warm this winter:

• Make sure your loved one keeps warm at all times – even if it appears to be mild outside.
• Make sure your loved one’s hands and feet are kept warm as cold temperatures can cause problems with circulation.
• Make sure your loved one keeps their windows and doors closed during cold weather as most people are more likely to be struck by the common cold if they have a cold nose.
• Encourage your loved one to use heating appliances.
• Be sure your loved one wears adequate warm clothing – several layers is better than one thick layer.
• Be sure to encourage your loved one to visit their doctor or medical centre and get vaccinated for the flu, as it can affect elderly people much more severely.

If your loved one lives alone, or you have an elderly friend or neighbour, be sure to check up on them and encourage them to stay warm this winter.

Read the full article here.

Creating a safe and comfortable home is a simple way to help reduce stress on you and your loved one. Not only will this improve their quality of life, it will also reduce the chances of your loved one becoming injured, anxious or confused. 

Caregiver.com has provided some simple tips to ensure that your loved one feels secure, comfortable and content.

Buy a small lightweight jug
Store the jug in a convenient place and keep it filled at all times. Reminding your loved one to keep hydrated can ward off a number of problems associated with dehydration such as headaches and sleepiness and is great for health and wellbeing.

Avoid lots of mirrors
Your loved one’s memory may start to become affected, and if this happens you may need to prevent your loved one from seeing their reflection. Mirrors can be confusing as your loved one might not recognise their own reflection.

Use large dials or number pads
If your loved one enjoys watching television, ensure the remote has large buttons to make it much easier to use. Installing digital clocks might make it easier for your loved one to read the time if analogue clocks are confusing or frustrating for your loved one.

Clothing
If you buy your loved one’s clothing, keep it simple and basic, this will make it easier for them to pick out their outfits. Organise their wardrobe into sections i.e. skirts, pants, shirts and dresses. This will make it easier for your loved one to find a certain garment they might be looking for.

Read the full article here.

Gardening is an enjoyable pastime and it can benefit seniors in many ways. It is a therapeutic activity that promotes good health, wellbeing and relaxation. Gardening is also an excellent form of exercise for mobility, flexibility, strength and endurance. This type of activity helps prevent medical conditions such as osteoporosis and reduces stress levels.

 Disabled-World.com has provided some great words of advice for seniors who garden or want to start gardening.

• Warm up: this will help reduce muscle soreness felt later on.
• Keep hydrated: drink plenty of liquids and avoid alcohol.
• Be sun safe: always be sure your loved one is wearing sun protective gear such as a hat, long sleeved shirt and sunscreen and that they garden in the morning or afternoon to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
• Be careful with power tools: even small ones can burden worn or weary hands.
• Use adaptive tools: garden tools can be modified to suit the needs of seniors.
• Memory: If your loved one’s memory is becoming affected, securing gates and fences can help keep them safe while still allowing them to care for their garden.

It is important to know your loved ones limitations and make sure they don’t push themselves.

For more tips, read the full article here

When planning a trip all travellers should be careful to ensure that they will stay healthy and safe while they are away. Older people need to be more careful as they may have a few extra concerns.

Nobody wants to fall ill or be worried about health and safety while on holidays – holidays are meant to be relaxing. Therefore, to make the planning process easier when it comes to health and safety, here are some tips the Better Health Channel has provided for travelling seniors:

Pre-trip planning:

• Research the areas you will be visiting and note down the medical facilities there.
• Research factors that may affect you such as climate, language and culture.
• Make arrangements for mobility needs in advance.
• Organise travel insurance.

Your Luggage:

• Make sure your carry-on bag contains everything you will need for the entire flight including a medical kit with medications, painkillers and band-aids.
• Take a pill box with separate weekday compartments to ensure your daily medication routine is not forgotten.
• Take a spare pair of glasses.

Safety Suggestions:

• Don’t travel around at night.
• Don’t wear expensive jewellery.
• Wear valuables on a belt worn under clothes and next to the skin.
• If you are going overseas, carry with you the contact details of the Australian Embassy in case you need help.

Read the full article here.

It is no secret that as you grow older, health becomes a major aspect of life. However, growing older should not be synonymous with bad health. Improving on your health as much as you can will ensure the best quality of life.
 
One of the most important parts of leading a healthy lifestyle is to stay physically active. Without regular exercise, people over the age of forty are at risk of suffering from a range of health problems. Making even the smallest of changes to your physical lifestyle can benefit you and your body. Thirty minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every day (or most days) is extremely beneficial. However, if you are finding it hard to get active, here are some tips from Aged Care Australia:

• Choose activities you enjoy and find interesting. You more likely to keep up with an exercise routine if it’s fun, rather than a chore.
• Make a plan – start off slowly, and aim for small improvements. Keep track of your progress in a training diary for added motivation.
• Exercise with friends. They can help you keep to your plan, remain motivated and be a social occasion.
• Choose appropriate clothing, for example loose clothes and supportive shoes.
• Don't let yourself dehydrate – drink plenty of water before, during and after your activity.
• Don't exercise in hot weather or immediately after meals.

Read the full article HERE.

Falls are all too common among elderly people, but you can reduce the chance of your loved one falling by taking steps to identify potential risks and removing them.

Healthline have provided some useful tips to help your loved one stay safe.

• Be proactive. Some health conditions and medications cause dizziness or loss of balance and can make your loved one more likely to have a fall. A doctor may be able to assist with choosing medications that will reduce this.
• Make your home fall safe. Map out problematic areas of the home like stairs, and install hand rails or take alternative measures to make these areas safer. Keep the floor clear of shoes and anything that might be a tripping risk. Keep a wide walking path around tables and chairs.
• Stay physically active. Exercises such as walking, gentle stretching or yoga will improve balance and coordination, making your loved one less likely to have a fall.
• Be shoe smart. Choose shoes with ankle support and rubber soles. Don’t wear shoes that are too big or are loosely fitting as they present a tripping hazard.

If your loved one has had a fall in the past, use the experience as a lesson to prevent another one. If possible, make a change so that the same problem doesn’t cause another fall.

Read the full article HERE.

Many elderly people suffer from pain, and in some instances, there is no easy solution to the problem. In particular, chronic pain often does not respond to routine medical treatment.

The National Ageing Research Institute has provided some tips on managing pain in order to optimise wellbeing and health.

• First, be sure that your pain is not a symptom of an acute illness. See your doctor and learn about your condition. Even if there is no easy fix, the knowledge will help to reduce anxiety.
• Use low dosage pain relieving medications. Taking these regularly may enable you to stay active and cheerful.
• Maintain healthy relationships with family and friends, and use the support that they provide.
• If you are having trouble sleeping, the exhaustion can make pain seem worse and cause you to be more upset. Take steps to ensure you have a good night’s sleep.
• Light exercise, in particular stretching, can relieve physical pain and improve your mood.
• Use aids such as a heat pack or a walking stick to relieve and manage pain.
• Try alternative medicines such as acupuncture or massage.

Take steps to manage chronic pain and you will optimise your quality of life by feeling better both physically and emotionally.

Read the full article HERE.

Memory loss is a natural part of aging and affects many elderly people. However, there are ways to reduce the likelihood and severity of memory loss.

Newsweek have written a great article that points out six ways you can sharpen your mind – they call it a ‘brain-fitness program’. The steps are:

1. Exercise in order to bring more blood and oxygen to your brain. A study in 2006 even found a link between moderate exercise and a reduced risk of dementia.
2. Games and software that are aimed at sharpening your brain are used for people who need to regain mental abilities, but they are beneficial for everyone. Games like Sudoku are lots of fun and will help to keep your mind in shape.
3. Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids such as walnuts, wild salmon and cooked soy beans can boost moods and concentration levels.
4. Folic acid is also great brain food, found in leafy vegetables or fortified cereal or bread.
5. Alcohol in moderation (one glass a day) has been found to slow the progression of dementia for those with mild memory loss.
6. Relax. Seniors with higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their blood have been found to fare worse on memory tests.

These diet, exercise and activity tips will be a great help for seniors who suffer mild memory loss, and they are simple actions that anyone can do.

Read the full article here.