Looking good and feeling good.

Posted on June 16, 2022 by Von Cam

Clothing Solutions It is so important to wear clothing that provides comfort for those with limited mobility who cannot wear off the peg clothing, and not have to wear oversized stretchy clothes just because it is easier to get them on.    There are options available for stylish clothing and easy dressing.


The Way That You Present A Resident Speaks Volumes About You
Looking good and feeling good have always gone hand in hand. Your appearance is a reflection of the way that you treat yourself, and the way that you treat yourself will always be a reflection of how you feel.

As a person ages, their diminishing physical capabilities can result in a lack of ability to dress and present themselves. For elderly people who reside in aged care facilities, this responsibility will fall to the facility employees who have been entrusted with their care.   

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10 Questions you need to ask

Posted on June 16, 2022 by Von Cam

We are hearing so much these days about the treatment of residents in the nursing homes, and only yesterday another outcry about the low budget meals being served in some nursing homes.

It’s never an easy decision, deciding that a loved one needs to move into aged care, but sometimes it’s a necessary one.

Sometimes the reality is that they cannot live in their own home anymore, or it’s just not possible for the family to care for them. It’s a difficult process that the older person and their loved ones need to work on together to make it a successful one.

At the end of the day, everyone wants what’s best for the person – and that means having quality care in a home that is the best for them.

Though a lot of focus is often on location and cost, there are a number of other things people should be asking on facility tours to ensure they learn as much before making a decision.

Two of the 10 questions people should ask when looking at aged care.

1. What Is Included In The Fees? And What Are “Extras”?

2. What Is The Food Like At The Facility?    Read more here..

I would like to add that consideration should also be given to residents with limited mobility, who may require adaptive clothing that opens at the back for ease of dressing.  Joints becoming stiff and painful and the more dignity and comfort we can provide for our loved ones, the better we all feel.  Sample of available clothing in the video below.

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Can a Concussion Really Lead to Dementia?

Posted on June 2, 2022 by Von Cam

The following interesting article is from the Aged Care Report Card News and I felt it worth sharing, as I am  experiencing this with someone I dearly love.

It’s not just falls that occur later in life that can increase the risk of dementia, as there is also reason to believe that injuries sustained when younger can actually increase the chances of a person developing dementia symptoms.

A new study has suggested that suffering a concussion in your teens or 20s may result in brain damage that can lead to dementia. People in their 30s who had suffered concussions were shown to have thinning brain tissues, similar to those who have Alzheimer’s.

The Boston School of Medicine research brings youth brain health to the forefront, as people that young are typically free of dementia symptoms. The findings are of particular importance to Australian sports such as NRL and AFL, where head injuries are common.

The most important finding is how concussions may influence brain decay and why it is important for it to be assessed and recorded on medical records even if not considered serious.

According the the Mayo Clinic, a severe head injury that knocks you out for more than 24 hours can increase your future dementia risk, and that being unconsciousness for more than 30 minutes, but less than 24 hours, also increases dementia risk by a smaller scale.

Repeated mild injuries may increase risk of future problems with thinking and reasoning. Another recent research even suggests that there may even be a connection between football and soccer and developing dementia.

This particular study began around 40 years ago, with 14 former players taking part. Of the 14, six of them had signs of Alzheimer’s disease when they underwent post-mortem examinations.

Four of the former player’s brains were found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) pathology, which is a possible consequence of repeated impacts to the brain.

However, it should be noted that there are also other factors that contribute to developing dementia aside from injury alone.   Read more….

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Sleep essential for brain function in elderly | Aged Care Insite

Posted on January 27, 2022 by Von Cam

Researchers investigating how the brain could be made more resistant to age-related decline have found that the key is sleep.The University of Queensland’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences researcher, Dr Martin Sale, said artificially boosting sleep-like brain activity in the elderly could help prevent a decline in brain function.“Sleep plays a key role in promoting neuroplasticity – the ability of the brain to re-wire itself – but as sleep quality reduces as we age, our brain function is affected,” Sale said.“Sleep is important in helping to consolidate the changes to brain function that occur whilst you are awake; for example, if you have a good night’s sleep after studying, you’re much better at remembering the material you learnt for an upcoming exam.“A portion of sleep, the deep part of sleep known as slow wave sleep, assists with strengthening the brain changes required for learning and memory that occur throughout the day.“We would like to artificially cause the relevant brain regions to oscillate at this slow frequency, to mimic slow wave sleep, but when the brain is awake.”Researchers can achieve this by passing a “small alternating electric current” between two parts of the brain, using what is described as a safe and often completely unnoticeable procedure.“In essence we are tricking the brain into thinking it’s asleep to harness the beneficial aspects of sleep even though it’s still awake,” Sale said.“Approximately 50 per cent of adults complain of difficulty sleeping and approximately 20 per cent of adults aged over 65 have some form of cognitive impairment.
Source: Sleep essential for brain function in elderly | Aged Care Insite

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Dementia Village

Posted on January 9, 2018 by Von Cam

I was delighted to hear the news last night that the Dementia Village proposed for Tasmania is a little more than just a thought.

“The project is a collaboration between aged care provider Glenview Community Services and health sector superannuation fund HESTA, which will kick in $19 million.  The Commonwealth Government is also providing funding”. as stated by ABC News   read more…

This is closer to patient centered care, but I also acknowledge this is an extreme example that is not possible in every care facility.    I hope we see more of it throughout Australia, or  at least something similar where the residents feel comfortable in their surroundings, and are provided with a lifestyle that relates to who they are and the life they have lived.

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Laugh Yourself To Good Health

Posted on July 27, 2017 by Von Cam

A fun article provided by LiveWell Club 

Laughing with friends seems like a pretty great way to help with anxiety, pain,and stress!

How would you like a laugh-fest each morning? A hearty laugh really gets the day going! Laughing clubs are a place where individuals can practice Laughter Yoga. Also known as Hasyayoga is packed with psychological and physical benefit. Developed by the Indian physician Madan Kataria, these clubs encourage members to participate in prolonged periods of voluntary laughter.
The activity is seen as an exercise, and as a way to encourage fun, healthy joy without equipment or constraint. Laughter relaxes the whole body and has the benefit of being socially contagious, hence Laughing Yoga is so often done in groups rather than as an independent activity.

A class will typically start with socialising and talk, followed by stretching and breathing exercises. Participants then begin exercises with specific elements associated with various forms of yoga, often under the guidance of an instructor. If you’re looking for a way to improve your mental and physical health, as well as that of friends and family, why not give Laughter Yoga a go?    read more..

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Adaptive Clothing

Posted on July 26, 2017 by Von Cam

When a loved one is placed into an Aged Care facility for residents with High Care needs, it is a very emotional time.   I have been through this myself and totally understand how difficult this is.   I always said it felt like I was giving up my child, as I had cared for Mum for an number of years at home.

I must admit, that when Mum settled into the Nursing home, I started to see how comfortable she became with the staff and her surroundings,  as they understood what was happening to her, and her needs, much better than I could at home.  We were very fortunate to have found a wonderful nursing home, with great staff.   I must admit that was back in the early 90’s, and there was not as much awareness of Alzheimer’s and where to get help back then, as there is now for families and carers to assist with home help.

Due to these circumstances and the need for specially designed adaptive clothing for ease of dressing, I created my own designs and started my business Special Care Clothing Solutions  in 2006.     The clothing is manufactured in Australia to ensure quality control, and I use Australian fabrics, being careful that the dye in the fabric is not full of heavy chemicals like some fabrics from China and that they are suitable for the facility laundries.

The designs prevent pressure on the skin as they close and secure at the shoulder with small nylon stud on tape.   As they open completely to enable ease of dressing from the front, there is no lifting of arms or ducking of head required, which can be painful as joints stiffen.       For personal service call Yvonne on 1300 780 755 or download a catalogue here.

We look forward to answering any of your questions and assisting with your loved ones transition in life.

 

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Alzheimer’s disease

Posted on July 25, 2017 by Von Cam

This article is being shared from Health Direct.
Alzheimer’s disease attacks brain cells and neurotransmitters (chemicals that carry messages between brain cells), affecting the way your brain functions, your memory and the way you behave. It is also the most common form of dementia.

Dementia is a syndrome (a group of symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline in mental abilities.

While the exact cause is unknown, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease may be increased by a range of factors, including:

  • age
  • a family history of the condition
  • previous severe head injuries
  • lifestyle factors and conditions affecting heart and brain health.

If you are worried that you may have Alzheimer’s disease visit your doctor to get some advice. Your doctor may ask you about any new or worsening problems you may have noticed such as:

  • forgetfulness
  • speech problems such as difficulty finding the right words
  • difficulty in understanding what people are saying
  • personality and mood changes
  • difficulty with performing everyday routine activities.

There is no single test that can be used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. If your doctor suspects you may have Alzheimer’s disease, they may refer you to a specialist to confirm the diagnosis.

Although Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of ageing, it is more common in older people and may affect about one in four people over the age of 85.

Are you a carer or helping someone out?

Carers are everyday people who provide unpaid and ongoing care and support to someone they know who has a disability, mental illness, drug or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail.

Support for carers

Learn more about practical, financial and emotional support and services that are available for carers. For carers services in your state or territory visit Carers Australia.

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Taking life for granted

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Von Cam

When you are young you don’t really give much thought about getting old.  It is time to have fun and enjoy life, good health and friends.  At twenty do you remember thinking that someone who was 50 was “old” and grandparents in their 60’s & 70’s were really ready to be put to pasture?

As we creep closer to these ages and beyond, we still want to feel young, but just know the body no longer lets us be so agile.   I was looking at my hands yesterday realising how they have aged, now like I remember my mothers looking.   I then drew back and thought about how I felt inside.   I have been fortunate and lived a healthy life, but certainly as I am ageing, parts of me are starting to tell me to slow down, few aches in the hips etc, and that maybe I should exercise a little more, to keep the joints from stiffening up.

It is not hard to understand how painful it must be to move, when joints are stiff and movement is limited.    I am so proud to feel that I have been able to work with the Care Managers to design the right clothing for their residents with High Care needs.    For more information about dignified and comfortable clothing, please browse my website here.

 

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Palliative care boost for regional NSW

Posted on June 13, 2017 by Von Cam

Seniors News | 13th Jun 2017 11:31 AM     Article provided by Seniors News

Elderly woman keeping hands by her lips. Source: Thinkstock.
FOR many seniors, the reality of living out the dream in a country hideaway, was an impractical choice.

However, thanks to new funding, that is all about to change.

The NSW Government has announced a record $100 million spend on palliative care services with a major focus on regional communities.

“Whether you live in Sydney, whether you live in Western Sydney, whether you live in a remote community in rural and regional NSW, you will have access to greater care,” NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

The funding, which will be rolled out over four years, will assign six palliative care nurses and two specialists exclusively to regional and rural areas.

Health professionals working in the country will also be offered the chance to build skills in palliative care with the funding to offer training and scholarships for hundreds of staff.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the funding announcement offered the chance for the elderly to see out their days in their own homes.

“About 70 per cent of us generally say we’d like to pass away at home,” Mr Hazzard said.  “In reality, about 70 per cent of us currently pass away in hospitals and nursing homes.”

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