Columbia Aged Care

Diabetes is a chronic condition where your body is unable to produce or respond to insulin resulting in high blood sugar levels. Insulin is a hormone that allows the sugar in your blood to enter the cells of your body to be used for energy.

Without this hormone your body does not receive enough sugar which can result in hypoglycaemic shock, however, too much of this hormone means your body absorbs too much sugar which can produce the same reaction.

There are two types of diabetes; type one diabetes is usually diagnosed during childhood while type two diabetes is diagnosed in adults. If you are over the age of 45 then you could be at risk of developing type two diabetes. 

MyDr has provided some helpful tips on the risk factors and symptoms of diabetes.

Diabetes can occur if you are:

• Over 45 years old and have high blood pressure
• Over 45 years old and are overweight
• Over 45 and have one or more family members with diabetes
• Over 55 years old
• Have heart disease
• Have had a heart attack in the past
• Have had high blood sugar levels during pregnancy

Some symptoms of type two diabetes:

• Excessive urination
• Feeling thirsty all the time
• Tired and lethargic

These symptoms are difficult to detect in elderly people because they are often misinterpreted as normal signs of aging. This means that many elderly people remain undiagnosed which can lead to serious health problems such as kidney damage, eye damage and increased risk of a stroke or heart attack.

However, if you have been diagnosed with diabetes you can manage your condition effectively by consulting with your doctor. You can also help manage your condition by not smoking, losing weight and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine.

Read the full article 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.

Lifting and transferring your loved ones can often be a difficult task for many caregivers. If the wrong techniques are implemented then caregivers are at risk of injuring themselves or their loved one. That is why it’s so important for caregivers to learn safe lifting techniques.

Aged Carer has provided some tips on how to safely lift and transfer your loved one without injuring them or yourself.

1. Encourage your loved one to participate
If your loved one is able to, ask them to move to the edge of the chair and push up from the seat. This will help exercise their mobility and muscle strength as well as reduce the risk of injury.

2. Use transfer devices and lifting equipment
Always try to avoid lifting your loved one by yourself. Use equipment such as slide sheets, hoists, lifters, slings and powered lift chairs.

3. Use proper body mechanics
Never lift your loved one by bending your back. Always ensure that your knees are bent and your back is kept straight.

4. Don’t lift under the arms!
Avoid lifting your loved one from under their arms as you may become unbalanced or risk injuring yourself. Your loved ones can often experience discomfort or shoulder injuries when pulled up by the arms. You should support your loved one by placing one hand on their shoulder and the other on their lower back.

Caregivers can seek additional advice on the best lifting equipment and techniques from an occupational therapist or physiotherapist.

Read the full article here.

As we age our feet get bigger, and so we must accommodate this by buying wider or larger shoes, however, many people don’t. By wearing shoes that are ill fitted, too narrow, too tight or not suitable for the wearer, you increase the risk of falls and increase discomfort in the feet, ankles and knees.

Aged Carer has provided some tips on how to find comfortable shoes that fit well.

• Feet can swell during the day so shop for shoes when feet are at their largest – this is generally at the end of the day.
• When trying shoes on, stand up and walk around. Wiggle your toes and make sure that your longest toe has at least a one centimetre gap between it and the end of the shoe.
• Choose shoes that have a rubber sole – this will ensure more comfort as rubber soles provide cushioning for the foot.
• Velcro straps are easiest for arthritic hands.
• Ensure the shoe protects foot from injury.

Uncomfortable or ill fitted shoes can cause many problems and even injuries. To ensure you are making the right decision when buying shoes ask for staff assistance at a shoe shop or take a trip to a podiatrist and ask what shoes they recommend for you.

Read the full article here.

First aid kits are an essential to any home, office or car, as accidents do happen.

A handy, easy to access kit is a great idea and should be a basic house hold item – especially in homes with children or elderly people. Livestrong.com has provided a list of items needed within a first aid kit.

The basic items for any first aid kit are:

• Bandages and gauze
• Adhesive tape
• A torch
• Aspirin
• Latex gloves
• Scissors
• A thermometer
• Tweezers
• A blanket

However, when it comes to a first aid kit for seniors there are a couple of additional items that may be needed.

Emergency supplies:
Be sure to include some emergency supplies of all your medications. This will involve the need to check on all expiry dates regularly. Pick a date you know you will remember, such as the day day-light savings changes or perhaps your birthday, and review all of the contents.

Medical Facts:
Include a short list of medial facts about yourself. Include information such as:

• Any allergies
• Doctors name and phone number
• Any important facts about illnesses you have that people need to know about in an emergency situation, such as allergies, asthma or heart problems.

Extras:
Consider adding an extra pair of glasses, hearing aids, hearing aid batteries, batteries for a wheelchair, an asthma puffer or even oxygen if your daily routine requires it. Be sure to carefully think about what daily, weekly, monthly or even yearly things you use and include replacements or extras of these things just in case.

Prepaid Mobile:
You may not own or want to own a mobile phone but they can be particularly handy – especially in an emergency situation. Even if you don’t ever plan to use a mobile phone, it’s a great idea to add a mobile phone, with a prepaid sim card in it, to your first aid kit. Be sure you know how to turn it on, use the key pad and that you can see the screen clearly.

Read the full article here.

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.

Many caregivers struggle with the role of providing care to their elderly parent, spouse, family member or friend. Common complaints are that there is not enough time in the day, or they feel frustrated with the difficulties of elderly care.

Aging Care has provided some tips to help you care for your loved one.

Remember the person inside: the process of aging changes people’s personalities – conditions such as deafness can cause anger and Alzheimer's affects memory. Keep in mind the person that you have always loved whenever you feel frustrated.

Arm yourself with knowledge: If your loved one has a medical condition, learn all you can about their ailments, symptoms and treatments. This will guide you and instil confidence, and will also help your loved one relax in your care.

Have humility: Don’t underestimate your loved one’s intelligence and knowledge. Embrace all you can learn from their experiences and don’t disregard their opinions. Respond to your loved one as the person they were before they became ‘the patient’.

Remember that it is natural to feel frustrated and overworked at times, but use these tips to make your role easier.

Read the full article here.

It can be a challenge to find interesting and suitable books for your loved one. Many novels today seem to be aimed at the younger generation or special interest groups that are inappropriate or not of any interest to elderly people.

It may also be that your loved one is starting to experience eyesight problems that cause the small text of most novels to blur.

eHow have provided some tips you can use to help bring back the joy of reading to your loved one.

Do some research:
Your loved one may feel reluctant to get back into reading because they haven’t be able to read for a while. On your next visit, casually bring along a magazine or book that has a larger print size and leave it for them to have a flick through. This added benefit of larger print may be all they need to get back into reading.

If they do begin to enjoy reading again there are places where you can order books with a larger font. Another idea is to buy a digital reader – such as a Kindle – that allows you to download books and change the font size on the screen.

Talk to your loved one:
Your loved one may have many interests that you are already aware of but people change. Sit down and have a quick chat about what they like, what are their hobbies or interests and even what programs they like to watch on TV. You never know when one of those interests may translate into a fiction or non-fiction book.

Visit your local library:
Look to your local library for sources of large print books and also for inspiration and ideas of topics that may be of interest to your loved one. Libraries hold many books on all different topics and the staff usually know what books are popular with which age group.

It may be that all your loved one needs is a gentle push in the right direction to get them interested in reading again. Not only is it an enjoyable way to pass time but it also keeps the mind active and healthy.

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.

Anybody can develop skin cancer but people aged 55 years and over are most at risk.

MamasHealth.com has provided an article on skin cancer and seniors including what to look for when checking your skin and what treatment doctors can provide.

What to look for:
All skin cancers could be cured if they were found and brought to a doctor’s attention before they had a chance to spread. It is vital that you check your skin regularly even if you don’t go out into the sun very much.

The most common symptom of a skin cancer is a change on the skin – especially a growth or sore that has not healed after two weeks. Not all skin cancers look the same.

Here are some examples of what a skin cancer may look like:

• A small, smooth, shiny, pale or waxy lump.
• A firm red lump.
• A lump that bleeds or has developed a crust.
• A freckle or mole that has begun to darken in colour or change in shape.
• A flat red spot that is rough, dry or scaly.

Skin cancer treatments:
When a doctor treats a skin cancer their goal is to remove it or destroy the cancer completely. All treatments can be different depending on type, size, location and the person’s general health and medical history.

Treatments include:

• Surgery where the cancer is removed from the body
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• A combination of treatments

Encourage your loved one, and help them if required, to regularly check for skin cancers.

Read the full article here.