Is your loved one’s home safe? October 29, 2008
Posted by columbiaagedcare in Health, Residential Aged Care.Tags: Columbia Aged Care Services, elderly care, home safety
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Every year many elderly Australians are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries at home. Many of these injuries result from hazards that are easy to overlook, but easy to fix. By taking some simple steps to correct them, many injuries could be prevented.
When evaluating your loved one’s home, be sure to get his or her cooperation and agreement before installing equipment or changing surroundings. It usually helps to explain the reason for the changes before making them.
Potential hazards may occur in more than just one area of the home. To get you started thinking about these hazards we have provided a small checklist:
Are any outlets and switches unusually warm or hot to the touch? Unusually warm or hot outlets or switches may indicate that an unsafe wiring condition exists.
Are lamp, extension, and telephone cords placed out of the flow of traffic? Cords stretched across walkways may cause someone to trip.
Are all small rugs slip-resistant? Falls are the most common cause of fatal injury for older people.
Always remember to continuously check different areas of the home on a regular basis to prevent unnecessary accidents.
Bug Corner: Preventing Infection Transmission October 15, 2008
Posted by columbiaagedcare in Health, Residential Aged Care, Seniors Activities.Tags: Columbia Aged Care Services, infection transmission, infection prevention, bugs, communal areas
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Residents of aged care facilities can be at increased risk of infection. This can be due to changes to the immune system which occur as a result of the normal aging process as well as development of chronic illnesses which impair our ability to fight off infection.
Many people don’t realise however that living in a long term care facility can also contribute to infection transmission if basic hygiene rules are not followed. We strive to provide a homelike environment for all residents and this is important for both residents and their families. However, we need to be aware that infection transmission can be easier in this homelike setting because of communal dining areas and activity rooms, group outings etc. where there may be increase risks of bugs spreading.
If routine infection prevention measures are not adhered to, infections can easily be spread. Residents’ families or staff can also unknowingly bring infection into a facility.
Here are a few basic strategies to prevent infection transmission:
• Residents and staff must regularly wash their hands
• Visitors and staff should always wash their hands when entering or leaving the facility
• Residents who have symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting, colds, flu, conjunctivitis or other infection should stay in their rooms until symptoms have resolved
• Visitors and staff who have symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting, colds, flu, conjunctivitis or other infection should stay at home until symptoms have resolved
• Always cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
• Good nutrition and plenty of fluids also help prevent infections from occurring.
Learning and Development Opportunities October 8, 2008
Posted by columbiaagedcare in Health, Residential Aged Care.Tags: Columbia Aged Care Services, education, employees, skill development
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Columbia Aged Care Services acknowledges that employees are its most valuable asset. We also recognise the importance of meeting professional and corporate learning needs. Opportunities available to staff include programs such as:
• Orientation for new staff including agency, permanent and casual staff.
• In-service education e.g. compulsory and better practice learning within formal and informal sessions (handover).
• Specific skills development e.g. wound management, infection control, new equipment, specific resident care needs, and identified corporate needs.
• Access to tertiary or vocational education, e.g. Certificate IV in Aged Care and Community Services Work and the Certificate III in Health Assistance (Client / Patient Services).
The aim of any staff education program or learning interest is to promote and maintain acceptable standards of care and to develop staff skills to increase productivity and efficiency. Staff are encouraged to seek opportunities either internally or externally and to discuss their learning
or development needs with their managers.
Oral Care for Everybody October 1, 2008
Posted by columbiaagedcare in Health, Residential Aged Care.Tags: dentist, fluoridated toothpaste, gum disease, Oral Care, tooth decay
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Oral Care is an important part of everyone’s daily hygiene. Prevention of tooth decay is a major part of oral care no matter what your age, and it’s never too late to start!
The main demon is sugar and refined carbohydrates being left on teeth to form plaque, which creates acids. This can be from food like lollies and cakes or drinks like soft drinks and tea or coffee with sugar. These acids attack the teeth and can cause tooth decay. Other important aspects are the impact of fluoride in drinking water and toothpaste as well as amount of saliva produced.
How to prevent and repair tooth decay:
- Regular review by a dentist of your teeth and dental plates if you have them.
- Using fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day after meals,
- reduce sugary between meal snacks in favour of fruit, cheese and nuts.
- Understand if any medications you are taking causes dry mouth and increase sips of water or use a mouth gel.
Where co-operation might be difficult such as someone with dementia, discuss with the dentist or Registered Nurse ways to help with oral care.
International research indicates a link with advanced dental decay and gum disease with heart disease. So it’s a good idea to get those pearly whites cleaned up!
Source: The University of Adelaide Patient Information Pamphlet No 2 Controlling dental decay in your own mouth.
