Columbia Aged Care

With an increase in wet weather it is important to know how to take care of your home by preventing the growth of mould.

Mould is a type of fungus that thrives in rainy weather. It usually grows in wet or moist areas of your home that lack adequate ventilation. Mould can grow on walls, ceilings, bathroom tiles, carpets, insulation and wood.

If mould is present in your home it can cause a danger to your health. Mould produces spores that are carried in the air and can be inhaled unintentionally. Symptoms of inhaling excessive amounts of mould spores include a blocked nose, irritated eyes, wheezing and mould infections in severe cases.

People who suffer from asthma, a weakened immune system or severe allergies have a higher risk of developing a mould infection in their lungs.

NSW Government Health has provided some helpful advice on how to prevent mould growth in your home.

• Maintain proper ventilation
• Always turn on exhaust fans in the bathroom, kitchen or laundry
• Open windows in damp areas of your house to encourage air flow
• Control humidity by limiting the number of indoor plants in your house
• Repair plumbing problems and water leakages
• If an area of your house gets wet make sure you properly dry the area and throw away anything that cannot be dried
• Prevent rising damp by hiring a professional to install waterproof barriers in your walls
• Make sure air vents in your house remain uncovered
• Purchase damp-rid containers and place them in rooms susceptible to mould. These containers help to soak up extra moisture in the air and prevent the growth of mould.

The key to preventing mould is to reduce moisture in your home. If mould is present in your home you should remove it immediately by calling a professional mould removalist.

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.

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.

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.

Home and personal security is an important part of creating a comfortable living situation and having peace of mind at any age. Many elderly people live alone or have limited mobility and can therefore be an easy target for burglaries.

However, most burglaries can be prevented by using a number of simple home and personal security measures.

The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing has some great tips on how to secure your home and reduce your risk of burglary:

• Use security deadlocks and grilles on doors and windows.
• Always lock all outside doors and windows when you go out, even if it’s for 5 minutes.
• Lock up parts of the house you can’t keep an eye on.
• Prune bushes and trees that hide your home’s windows and doors.
• Don’t hide extra keys in flowerpots or under mats.

Here are some basic safety tips for your personal security:

• Always be aware of other people and your immediate surroundings.
• Be aware of situations that could make you vulnerable to crime, such as laneways, back streets, and poorly lit parking lots.
• Don’t carry large sums of money. Pay your bills by cheque, credit card or over the phone.
• When you are banking always vary your routine.
• If you carry a handbag, hold it under your arm or in front of you and never leave it unattended.

You should always stay up to date on any security issues in your neighbourhood and if a crime does occur contact your local police station.

For more information on how to improve your home and personal safety contact your local Neighbourhood Watch or police station.

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.

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.

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.