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.

The physical and mental changes we will go through as a result of aging are inevitable.  As our loved ones reach the point of old age before us and begin to experience these (often unwanted) changes, it is important we empathise with them and offer our support.

To be able to do this we need to understand what sort of changes old age may potentially bring on. 'Aging - Common ailments of the elderly' on the Ezine Articles website describes the three most common ailments experienced by the elderly.  

Aging can affect many of the members of the family. As a member of the family grows old, there will be lots of changes in the physical, emotional and mental health of the aging person. Most of our family members are not able to cope with the sudden change in the behavior of the aging person. Most aging people experience physical ailments, three of the most common ailments are listed below.

Alzheimer's disease
Is a very common disease among old people. It is often referred to as "the death of the mind before the body". Alzheimer's disease is commonly found to people aging 75 and up.

People suffering from Alzheimer's disease usually suffers also from a lack of acetylcholine, which is a brain chemical used to promote brain activity. What's bad about Alzheimer's disease is that, its symptoms only occur approximately after three years prior to the initial diagnosis. Alzheimer's disease causes the person to lose his perceptions of reality until he becomes incoherent, and forgetful.

Osteoporosis
During the first 3 decades of the life of a person, the process of bone loss and bone formation in his body is continuous. But, by the time a person reaches 30 years old, things start to change in his body, more bone mass is lost in his body than formed. Bone mass reduction is normal, but if the situation is severe, it is then called osteoporosis. Osteoporosis does not choose what gender it affects, it affects both men and women of old age.

To read full article CLICK HERE

Bladder and bowel control problems are common. Around four million Australians experience leakage from the bladder and bowel regularly – this is known as incontinence. Many others have bladder and bowel control problems such as frequency and urgency without leakage. Together these problems are often known as continence problems.

Although incontinence and continence problems have a considerable impact on a person’s quality of life, most people do not seek help. Embarrassment often prevents people talking about their bladder and bowel problems. Some people restrict going out and have little social contact outside their home.

Incontinence and continence problems are symptoms of bladder or bowel dysfunction. They tell you that something is not quite right. Pelvic floor muscle weakness is a common cause of these symptoms. Changes to the nerves controlling the bladder, bowel or pelvic floor can also result in loss of control. Sometimes other health problems such as diabetes, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis can cause bladder and or bowel control problems.

There are things you can do to help keep your bladder and bowel healthy and avoid incontinence and continence problems.

Healthy lifestyle choices include:

* Drink plenty of fluid; at least 1.5–2 litres each day, unless your doctor advises you otherwise
* Eat well to prevent constipation and to maintain healthy body weight.
* Exercise regularly to keep fit and to prevent constipation.
* Tone up your pelvic floor with pelvic floor exercises for good bladder and bowel control.
* Practice good toilet habits to prevent bladder and bowel control problems.
* Go to the toilet to pass urine only when you have the urge to go; don’t go ‘just in case’.
* Take time to completely empty your bladder and bowel.
* Use the correct sitting position on the toilet.
* When you have the urge to use your bowels, don’t delay going to the toilet.

Source: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Incontinence_management?OpenDocument