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.

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.

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.

Creating a safe and comfortable home is a simple way to help reduce stress on you and your loved one. Not only will this improve their quality of life, it will also reduce the chances of your loved one becoming injured, anxious or confused. 

Caregiver.com has provided some simple tips to ensure that your loved one feels secure, comfortable and content.

Buy a small lightweight jug
Store the jug in a convenient place and keep it filled at all times. Reminding your loved one to keep hydrated can ward off a number of problems associated with dehydration such as headaches and sleepiness and is great for health and wellbeing.

Avoid lots of mirrors
Your loved one’s memory may start to become affected, and if this happens you may need to prevent your loved one from seeing their reflection. Mirrors can be confusing as your loved one might not recognise their own reflection.

Use large dials or number pads
If your loved one enjoys watching television, ensure the remote has large buttons to make it much easier to use. Installing digital clocks might make it easier for your loved one to read the time if analogue clocks are confusing or frustrating for your loved one.

Clothing
If you buy your loved one’s clothing, keep it simple and basic, this will make it easier for them to pick out their outfits. Organise their wardrobe into sections i.e. skirts, pants, shirts and dresses. This will make it easier for your loved one to find a certain garment they might be looking for.

Read the full article here.

Gardening is an enjoyable pastime and it can benefit seniors in many ways. It is a therapeutic activity that promotes good health, wellbeing and relaxation. Gardening is also an excellent form of exercise for mobility, flexibility, strength and endurance. This type of activity helps prevent medical conditions such as osteoporosis and reduces stress levels.

 Disabled-World.com has provided some great words of advice for seniors who garden or want to start gardening.

• Warm up: this will help reduce muscle soreness felt later on.
• Keep hydrated: drink plenty of liquids and avoid alcohol.
• Be sun safe: always be sure your loved one is wearing sun protective gear such as a hat, long sleeved shirt and sunscreen and that they garden in the morning or afternoon to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
• Be careful with power tools: even small ones can burden worn or weary hands.
• Use adaptive tools: garden tools can be modified to suit the needs of seniors.
• Memory: If your loved one’s memory is becoming affected, securing gates and fences can help keep them safe while still allowing them to care for their garden.

It is important to know your loved ones limitations and make sure they don’t push themselves.

For more tips, read the full article here

As people age, some everyday activities can become difficult or even dangerous. Stairs can present a hazard for elderly people, and are often the cause of falls.

Falls can be traumatic and damaging to health, but they are a preventable accident. Aging Parents Authority has provided some great tips to make stairs safer for seniors.

• Stairs should be well lit, with a light switch near the top and bottom of the staircase.
• Remove any thick carpet on stairs. It can make stair climbing more difficult for the elderly.
• Remove tripping hazards on and around the staircase. This includes small toys, throw rugs or nails sticking up that shoes could catch on.
• Install a sturdy hand railing.
• Seniors should not climb stairs while carrying items that they cannot see over or around.
• Get in shape for stair climbing. Walking, leg stretching and balancing exercises can help build both strength and confidence, which will aid in climbing stairs.
• Consider installing a chair lift. They are now easier to install and use than in the past. If the previous tips are not sufficient, the elderly person may require a chair lift.

If you suspect that there is a hidden problem that is preventing the senior from successfully climbing stairs, see a doctor. Such health problems could be inner ear infections, which affect balance, or arthritis causing stiff, painful joints.

A few simple measures can make a big difference to the safety of staircases.

Read the full article HERE.

Parkinson’s disease has many physical symptoms, such as tremors or shaking, problems with balance, stiffness and slowness of movement. This can make everyday tasks difficult and frustrating. Aged Carer has provided some tips to make living environments easier and safer for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Simple activities like getting dressed can be time-consuming and difficult for people with Parkinson’s disease. This can be made easier by choosing clothes that are easy to put on, such as those with Velcro instead of buttons, elastic waists or bras that hook at the front. Sitting down to dress will also help to make life easier; this should be on a firm chair rather than a soft bed.

At meal times, independence can be inhibited by Parkinson’s disease. Eating well and drinking adequate amounts aids digestion of medications, improving quality of life. Home care equipment such as deep spoons or rocker knives, or plate guards that allow food to be scooped up without spilling, allow for greater independence. However, if a person has problems with swallowing or chewing, they should be referred to a speech pathologist.

A Parkinson’s disease patient could benefit from seeking help from an occupational therapist if they are having trouble with simple tasks. An occupational therapist can identify how symptoms interfere with independence and suggest new ways of doing things as well as helpful home care aids and equipment to make life easier.

To read the full article with more tips and information, CLICK HERE.

Care Giver Stress have provided ten tips to ensure a senior's home is hazard free.

Each year, many older Australians are injured in and around their homes - often from hazards that are easily overlooked, but easy to prevent. By spotting these dangers and taking simple steps to correct them, many senior injuries can be prevented, and family caregivers can have extra peace of mind.

Below is a list of the top 10 safety issues commonly witnessed by Home Instead Senior Care professional caregivers in thousands of senior homes:

Top 10 safety issues

1. Loose area rugs/tripping hazards

2. No "life alert" or other pendant emergency-alert system

3. Spoiled food in the refrigerator

4. Lack of safety bar in bathtub/shower

5. Shower within tub/ No walk-in shower

6. Lots of clutter/furniture make mobility difficult

7. Steep steps

8. Low supply of food

9. Poor lighting

10. No telephone near the bed

Family caregivers should walk through their relative's home to make sure none of these hazards are present, and work with the senior to make he or she feels safe, depending depend on the type of physical limitations this person has and how severe they are.

Acquiring the necessary assistance, such as non-medical home care and safety-proofing your loved one's home, will put all family members at ease.