Columbia Aged Care

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!

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.

 

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.

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. 

As people age, some may begin to experience significant vision loss.  Vision loss is a global issue that affects thousands of people, particularly the elderly. It can be extremely difficult when a loved one that has been able to see all their life begins to lose their vision.

Better Health Channel has provided some helpful tips for elderly people struggling with deteriorating vision. These recreational activities can be suited to people who are completely blind or are vision impaired.

Books and Magazines
In today’s world, many books and magazines are now available in audio for those struggling with their vision. Vision Australia offers a wide range of audio books as well as large print and Braille books. With a convenient borrowing system, this recreational activity will ensure your loved one will not feel isolated or confined.

Games
Various board games have now been adapted in Braille form to ensure that those experiencing vision loss are able to develop hobbies and feel included. Games that are sold in Braille form include chess, cards and Monopoly. Other types of board games are available in tactile and large print versions.

Gardening
Although elderly people experiencing vision loss may feel lonely and useless, there are many ways they can keep busy in the garden. Elderly people may be able to tell the difference between plants and weeds by touch and a basic layout of garden beds will ensure that your loved one will be able to differentiate between plants.

Where to get help
If you require any help please contact your doctor, vision specialist or a vision loss organisation in your area.

Vision loss can be an isolating, confining and sometimes even a traumatic experience for your loved one – especially if they have had the ability to see their entire life. By including your loved one in activities that are enjoyable you will be able to help your loved one through a tough transition in their life.

Read the full article here.

When your loved one is moved into a nursing home it is important that they don’t feel abandoned and that their close relationships continue.

However, many people can become uncomfortable or distressed when visiting a nursing home. Aged Carer has given some helpful tips to create a more enjoyable and comfortable environment for when you visit your loved one.

• If your loved one is immobile or cannot communicate, holding their hand, stroking their forehead or quietly talking to them will let them know you care.
• Share a meal with your loved one in the dining room or order take away.
• Bring a family pet to visit, go for a walk around the garden and show off the pet to other residents.
• Bring a grandchild to visit. If they have a favourite book have them read it out loud to your loved one or if they play a musical instrument bring it along and put on a mini concert.

A short visit can break up your loved one’s daily routine and for many residents in an aged care facility a family visit is the highlight of their week. Making your loved one feel important and a part of the family is the best way to ensure your loved one is happy and content.

To read the full article, click here.

As your loved one grows older it is important that they maintain contact with friends or make new ones to avoid them becoming lonely. Group activities can be a way to see and learn new things, laugh with people and stay happy and healthy.

Your loved one can easily join in with an existing group activity, or organise their own. Group activities can ease loneliness and depression, bringing physical and psychological benefits. Old Age Health Tips have provided some great ideas:

• Meeting friends. Your loved one will feel cheerful after even a short chat with a friend. Maintain old friendships by meeting regularly for a cup of tea or a walk.
• Explore the world – or just the city. Join an organised tour with a friend or by yourself. Your loved one might find pleasure in exploring a new country, or even just a nearby town or garden.
• Senior dancing. Your loved one may like to learn a few dance steps – and they will be sure to share many more laughs.
• Clubs. Encourage your loved one to join a hobby group that matches their interest. There are endless types, like golf, church, singing, exercise, craft and book clubs.

Group activities will help your loved one surround themself with old friends and new ones, and maybe even find a new interest or skill.

Read the full article HERE.

It can be hard to find activities that are not too physically demanding, yet are entertaining and engaging for the elderly. Consider art and craft activities for your loved one, which come in a range of skill levels to suit all ages and abilities.

Love To Know have provided a great selection of creative activities for the elderly, but don’t stop here – the possibilities are endless!

• Scrapbooking is a great way to enjoy photographs and stimulate memories. With common equipment like scissors, glue, art paper, stickers, and  items like photographs and letters, your loved one will be on their way to creating a masterpiece. Scrapbooks make thoughtful gifts for friends or family members, as a memento of a holiday or special occasion.
• Beading. Craft stores stock a large range of beautiful beads with which your loved one can create necklaces, bracelets or earrings that make unique gifts. They may even like to take a jewellery-making class.
• Photography is an activity that can be carried out anywhere, because there are so many potential subjects. It can be as simple or professional as your loved one is capable of. Some interesting subjects might be people, plants, animals or buildings.

Creative activities are continually engaging because as your loved one refines their skills, they will learn new techniques that provide new challenges. If none of the above activities are possible, try to think of other activities – maybe painting or card making. There’s sure to be something that your loved one will enjoy.

Read the full article HERE.

It is a common reaction to try and correct a loved one when they don't recognise you and call you by the wrong name. It is again a normal reaction to try to correct them if they tell you that they're waiting for the boyfriend they had at 17 when they are clearly well past their 70s.

Unfortunately these slips in memory may become more frequent as a loved one progresses further and further into Alzheimer's disease. Alot of the time your loved one may become unsettled and even angry if you correct them. A number of articles have been written on how to respond to loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's.

The Free Library has written an interesting article titled A world of their own that explores how it might work if we don't continually try to bring them back from their false sense of reality. 

Memory fails us all sometimes. (Quick what did you have for dinner last night?) Over time, our memory lapses multiply, a medical fact of life that we attribute to eroding brain cells and simple aging. Eventually, short-term memory may be all but lost, so we cling to that which was comfortable – the good old days.

But Alzheimer’s disease goes one horrible step further, submerging its victims’ minds into decades-old realities from which they can never emerge.

The process begins with simple memory loss, but gradually "Where are my car keys?" turns into I've forgotten how to drive." It escalates to the point where victims no longer recognise their closest loved ones.

But if you think it's frightening for the relatives of an Alzheimer's patient, imagine what it must be like to have the disease.

"I believe it's close to being dropped off in a foreign country, where the language is foreign, the people are foreign, and everything around you is something you've never seen before," says Jeannette Smith, executive director of Arden Courts, a Sarasota assisted living.

Traditional therapies for Alzheimer's involved reminding--and often challenging--patients to return to their present surroundings. But a therapy called "validation" seeks instead to provide a comfortable existence for the patient within whatever reality they choose.

That means if an 84-year-old woman wants to dress every day for a job she no longer has, she should do so.

Validation therapy was pioneered by Naomi Feil, who developed an acute understanding of seniors while growing up in the nursing home her father managed. The technique encourages caregivers to identify and empathise with the disorientation that causes so much of the anguish of Alzheimer's.

According to Feil, patients under this treatment cry less, withdraw less, communicate more and are less aggressive. They need fewer chemical and physical restraints and seem to regain their sense of humour.  But just as important, validation therapy has given caregivers higher morale and reduced burnout.

Validation is based on the theory that victims who lose their recent memory revert to pleasant periods in their lives. She suggests that instead of viewing Alzheimer's patients as diseased, we see them simply as very old people struggling to survive in whatever reality the condition has plunged them into.

To read full article Click Here 

Feel unable to relate to your loved one when Alzheimer's transports them back to an earlier era? Find some movies from earlier decades your loved one likes or make them a CD with some old favourites. 

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