Columbia Aged Care

As you get older you will experience many changes in your life and lose the things that once occupied your time.

For example, when you retire and your children move away, you may wonder what to do with all your free time. The key to dealing with these changes is to rediscover your purpose and zest for life.

This is the best time to start finding new things that bring meaning to your life and finding new ways of experiencing happiness. You can become more active and start doing the things you love and enjoy.

Helpguide.org has provided some great examples of how you can find meaning and happiness in your life.

• Pick up a long, neglected hobby
• Play with your grandchildren or a pet
• Learn something new, such as a foreign language or a musical instrument, which will also help to keep your mind sharp
• Get involved in your community or volunteer to help a charity organisation
• Join a club
• Travel around Australia or the world
• Spend time outside and experience nature
• Visit your friends and family
• Exercise
• Learn a new skill or take a course

Everyone enjoys different activities, which means there are many more ways you can find happiness in your life. Think about what you enjoy and make it a new purpose in your life to do it.

One of the best ways to find happiness and cope with the changes in your life is to spend time with friends or family and to do things that make you laugh.

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.

As a carer it is extremely important to manage your loved ones medication to ensure they remain healthy. If medications are taken incorrectly they can cause dangerous side effects such as high blood pressure, incontinence, constipation, skin rashes or falls.

Medications must be administered at the right time with the right dosage, which can be difficult when your loved one has a variety of different medications.

Aged Carer has provided some useful tips for managing your loved ones medication.

• Visit only one pharmacist: It’s important to establish a regular pharmacist because they will know the history of your loved one’s medication. They can also consult with your local doctor if there is an issue.
• Use Webster or blister packs: Your loved one’s pharmacist can pack their medication into blister or Webster packs, which arranges their medications into separate days. This allows your loved one to access their medications safely and prevent over medicating.
• Understand all medications: Read the consumer medication leaflet inside the medication package and keep them in a file for future reference. When you know the ingredients in your loved one’s medication you can help to prevent possible allergic reactions.
• Know the side effects of medications: Ask your loved one’s doctor about the possible side effects they can experience from their medication. This will help you to assess the severity of any side effects that occur.
• Keep an up-to-date medication list: This list should detail all of your loved ones medication, allergies and side effects to possible medications. It can be used in emergencies or by respite carers.

If you notice that your loved one is experiencing side effects from their medication consult with their doctor as soon as possible. However with these helpful tips on managing your loved ones medication you can help to prevent medication errors and keep your loved one healthy.

Read the full articlehere.

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.

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.

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.

Moving your loved one into an aged care facility can be emotional and difficult, but with a little planning and consideration, the move can be made as straightforward as possible.

Kate Sumner, author of Caring for Your Elderly Parent: A practical guide for Australian families has provided some great tips on Aged Carer that will help make the move into an aged care facility easier.

• Accept and express your feelings. Both you and your loved one will have concerns about moving into an aged care facility. It’s important to express your feelings thoughtfully, and ideally not to your loved one. Listen to their feelings, but try not to let them get stuck in the negatives.
• Be patient with the staff. Remember that the staff of the aged care facility are getting to know your loved one in the first few weeks and might not get it all right straight away.
• Give your loved one and the staff a chance to get to know each other. While you may want to be by your loved one’s side in the first few days, it’s important that the staff have space to establish your loved one’s new routine, and for your loved one to get to know the staff.
• Say hello and goodbye every time. Don’t just slip out hoping not to upset your loved one as it will actually make them feel less secure. Avoid leaving all together in a big group, but do say goodbye and let them know when you’ll return.

Many families find the initial days difficult, but with care and patience you will help your loved one adjust to their new home and lifestyle.

Read the full article HERE.

It is difficult to assess whether your aging parent, spouse or family member needs help at home. Factors such as declining health or periods of illness can dramatically change the ability to look after themselves.
 
In addition to personal caregivers, there are various types and levels of help available for elderly people both in the home and in aged care facilities. The need for services depends on how independent a person is when coping with activities of daily living. Aged Carer has provided a useful checklist to help you identify the level of care a person may require. This includes:
 
Mobility: Can they safely transfer in and out of bed, on and off the toilet, up and down stairs? Are they unsteady on their feet and prone to falls, slips and trips?
 
Driving and Transport: Are they capable of driving safely or using public transport? Can they get to the shops and to medical appointments?
 
Finances: Are bills being paid? Can they manage their bank account and organise their finances?
 
Social contact: Are they isolated in the home? Do they have regular contact with friends and family? Do they engage in social activities or hobbies?
 
Care needs should be regularly re-assessed, particularly in times of illness or stress. Staying with the person for a few days can help you quickly determine whether they need assistance.

If you feel someone needs more care than you can provide, call in professional help.
 
Read the full article HERE.