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Dental Care For The Elderly October 28, 2009

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Safe Dentistry have written an article providing helpful information and advice on dental care for the elderly. They have reported that improved dental care for the elderly now means that pulling a tooth at the slightest sign of infection is thankfully a thing of the past. By following Safe Dentistry’s advice you or the person in your care will be on their way to ensuring good dental health.
Dental Problems and the Elderly
More people than ever have healthy teeth well into later life but the aging process does bring about its own set of medical problems. Elderly people are more susceptible to oral disease and this can bring about further medical complications and complaints. Many people are unaware that oral disease is closely related to their overall health and if oral disease is discovered it may well be that there are also other underlying medical problems.
Common Oral Problems for the Elderly
Dry Mouth
Among the more common dental complaints of the elderly  is a condition called dry mouth that occurs due to a reduction in the amount of saliva produced. Dry mouth can happen for a number or reasons with the most common being the amount and type of medication taken, it can also occur as the result of cancer treatments using radiation.
Root Decay
Root decay occurs as the gums recede from the teeth, the roots of the teeth are then more exposed to bacteria and more susceptible to decay.
Darkened Teeth
After a lifetime of consuming food, drinking coffee, tea and other stain inducing liquids, older people will find that darkened teeth may be a problem. Darkened teeth can also be caused by changes to dentin, this is the tissue that lies beneath the tooth enamel.
Gum Disease
Gum disease caused by plaque is a major factor in tooth loss and can occur due to a variety of reasons. Poorly fitted dentures, the use of tobacco, an unhealthy diet and food left between teeth will all enhance the risk of plaque. Diseases such as diabetes and cancer will also be common sources of gum disease. If gum disease is left untreated then it can cause other medical complaints such as heart and respiratory problems.
Good dental care for the elderly  will take all of these problems into consideration and restorative measures by a dentist can be taken to ensure that the problems are treated and minimised.
Dental Examinations for the Elderly
Regular dental examinations for the elderly are vital in order to ensure that any oral diseases are caught in the early stages. When you visit your dentist for an examination he will take into consideration health complications that the elderly are susceptible to. If it has been a while since your last examination then the dentist should conduct a thorough oral examination and he will also ask questions on your medical history. The dentist will ask questions regarding your general oral health particularly if there has been any recent bleeding to your gums or swellings in your mouth.
During the examination the dentist will check your face, neck, lymph nodes and salivary glands; this is quite normal as he will be looking for any swellings, lumps or discolouration to the skin. The dentist will then conduct a full oral examination of your mouth, gums and teeth, looking closely for any signs of gum disease or decaying or cracked teeth. If you wear dentures the dentist will also examine these for any signs of breakage or wear.
Daily Dental Care for the Elderly
Daily dental care for older people should consist of a regular brushing and flossing routine. This should occur twice daily, once in the morning and before bed. Partial or full dentures should be cleaned thoroughly to ensure that no food is left on the dentures that can contribute to gum disease. If you have a problem with mobility and find it hard to visit the dentist then there are now mobile dentists who will make visits, either in your home or to your nearest residential home. The aging process does not mean that teeth should be neglected and regular dental care means many senior citizens can have a full set of healthy teeth for the duration of their lives.

Tips for buying shoes for elderly feet October 21, 2009

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Many older people continue to wear ill fitting shoes contributing to pain and trauma in the feet and toes. Aged carer has provided some helpful hints for buying shoes for the elderly.

Ageing feet
Our feet get bigger with age but many people buy shoes that don’t fit properly. Wearing shoes that are too narrow or illsuited to the condition of the feet increase the risk of falls and discomfort from bunions and calluses.

If you are buying shoes for a family member, make sure they fit comfortably on the spot and are appropriate for the kind of activity intended. It can help to get the feet measured and shoes properly fitted by a professional.

Shoes need to be of sufficient length and width. Some people may need to wear special orthoses (inserts) or a custom made shoe to fit misshapen feet. People with hammertoe for instance will need a shoe with enough toe room. If a loved one has diabetes take special care when choosing a shoe, watch out for inside seams that could cause pressure or friction on the feet.

For people in residential care, ask a local shoe shop if they can visit an aged care home or take a tracing of your family member’s foot for some indication of shoe size, take it with you to avoid too many return visits.

Tips for finding shoes for ageing feet

  • Feet can swell during the day so shop for shoes when feet are their largest (end of day)
  • Shoes should not need “breaking in” they should fit comfortably from the start
  • Ensure the toes don’t touch the end of the shoe, allow a 1cm gap from the longest toe
  • Choose rubber soles for extra cushioning
  • Ensure shoes are wide and deep enough to prevent heel slip
  • Lace up, buckles or Velcro should hold the heel in place Velcro straps can be easier for arthritic hands
  • Slip on shoes can encourage the toes to ‘claw’ at the shoe to keep it on leading to discomfort, corns and calluses
  • Look for shoes with soft leather uppers
  • Ensure shoes protect the feet from injury
  • Ask your podiatrist about specific lace techniques to prevent heel slip

Who provides the care in an aged care home? October 13, 2009

Posted by columbiaagedcare in Residential Aged Care, articles.
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Aged Carer has written an article to help you understand who will be responsible for looking after elderly patients in a nursing home.

Many health care professionals will be involved in the care of a resident in a nursing home. Understanding how the aged care home operates, who provides care and who to go to when you have a problem are important in ensuring your relative gets quality care.

Aged care homes are classified as low- level care or high- level care. The nursing staff employed in an aged care home will have various levels of nursing experience.

In some low- level aged care homes a registered nurse will be ‘on call’ in case of an emergency. Always ask the aged care home how many qualified nursing staff actually work on the floor as opposed to being ‘on call’.

Personal care workers who work in low-level care need easy access to qualified nursing staff either an endorsed enrolled nurse or preferably a registered nurse at all times. Keeping up to date on your loved one’s health will be much easier if you understand the roles and experience of key nursing home staff.

Personal care workers
Out of all care staff Personal Care Workers (PCW’s) or Assistants in Nursing (AIN’s) spend the most time with your loved one. Nursing home staff should preferably have their Certificate 111 in Aged Care Work.

PCW’s assist your loved one on a daily basis with personal hygiene, mobility, meals and social interaction. In some nursing homes PCW’s can assist older people with self medication (Taking medication from a Webster Pack).

PCW’s can vary in nursing experience and skills. A good aged care home will organise its staff into nursing teams taking into account every staff member’s knowledge and capabilities.

On occasions nursing home staff will be replaced by agency nurses. Don’t expect agency nurses to know a great deal about your loved one’s care routine or medical history.

If a nursing home is having to rely on agency staff on a regular basis it is generally not a good indicator of continuation of care. 

Registered nurses (RN)
Registered nurses (RN’s) working in residential care are generally university trained with special skills in geriatric, palliative and dementia care.

The number of registered nurses on duty at any time in an aged care home can vary. A registered nurse will direct and supervise PCW’s and ensure a resident is receiving proper care according to their nursing care plan.

On a daily basis a registered nurse will assess your family member’s health, provide physical and technical nursing care and manage medications.

The registered nurse will make sure your loved one receives treatment as prescribed by a doctor. They may also organise other health care professionals to be involved in the care of your family member.

If you are concerned about your family member’s health or you have a problem with nursing home staff, the registered nurse in charge is the person to speak to.

Family should be kept up to date regularly by the registered nurse and informed of any changes in a family member’s health. This includes information such as changes to medication, problems with mobility, nutrition and any recent falls or skin tears.

Director of Nursing (DON)
The Director of Nursing or DON is in charge of the day to day management and administration of a residential care facility.

All aged care homes must be accredited in order to receive government funding. The DON ensures the aged care home meets a set of 44 expected outcomes relating to the care provided to its residents.

You can ask a DON about the aged care homes current accreditation status. An aged care home with three years accreditation shows compliance with the 44 expected standards aged care homes are expected to meet.

An aged care home that focuses on quality assurance and a culture of continuous improvement will be more responsive to the care needs of its residents and more likely to deliver a quality service.

The DON largely drives this culture and will strive to deliver quality care to its residents on an ongoing basis.

When choosing an aged care home ensure you arrange a meeting with the DON. Is the DON approachable? How does the DON interact with residents and staff?

Ask the DON about the nursing homes current accreditation status and how the aged care home handles complaints. Is the DON open to discussing your concerns?

Question the DON about staff turnover. How does the aged care home look after the needs of its staff? What levels of experience do they have? Do you provide opportunities for ongoing education and promotion? How do you reward your staff?

If you are choosing an aged care home take the time to observe the nursing care staff. Nursing staff that are happy and respected will work hard to ensure your family member receives the care they deserve.

10 Ways to Improve Life With Arthritis October 6, 2009

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About.com have written an article to help people gain and maintain control over the limitations imposed by arthritis.

People living with arthritis are often dismayed by how much the disease steals from their lives. If you or someone you care for has arthritis, physical limitations caused by chronic pain, chronic fatigue, stress and more can narrow your world and interrupt living a “normal life.”

With arthritis, energy is consumed just trying to accomplish ordinary tasks and usual daily activities. Your focus may be limited to just “getting through the day.”

Arthritis starts to take control of your life, rather than you taking control of the disease.

How can you better manage your illness?
What modifications can you make to your lifestyle to make living with arthritis easier?
What actions can you take to gain and maintain control over the limitations imposed by arthritis?

1 – Stay Positive
Arthritis is an unpredictable disease, as is the future. Accepting new realities and redefining life within the limitations imposed by disease is important for people with arthritis. Positive attributes can help you manage life with chronic arthritis.

2 – Trust Your Doctor
Doctors play an essential role in the treatment of arthritis. Choosing a doctor is one of the most critical decisions you make when it comes to your condition. It is imperative that your needs are being met. Find a compassionate, communicative doctor you can trust.

3 – Accept Your Situation
Don’t fight the fact that you have arthritis or that your condition changes your life. Don’t deny that you have the disease, nor underestimate its impact. Once you accept that you have a chronic illness and that it is a part of your life for the rest of your life, the decisions you make will be better for you and will ultimately improve your life. You must internalize the acceptance — feel it, don’t just say it.

4 – Set Realistic Goals
Set realistic goals for yourself. Through reflection and contemplation, you can assess what you are not happy with and work to change those circumstances. Be sensitive to your innermost feelings. You can focus and begin to make necessary changes in your life.

5 – Be Informed
If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, it’s important to learn all that you can about the disease. The importance of knowledge and understanding your health condition cannot be overstated. Stay informed — subscribe to our newsletter.

6 – Protect Your Joints
Joint protection can reduce stress on arthritic joints and decrease pain. There are several joint protection principles which, if followed, will help to conserve energy and preserve joint function.

7 – Manage Your Medications
When your doctor hands you a new prescription, it becomes your responsibility to know what the medication is for, how to take it, and what possible side effects might occur. Medication errors have many causes, but usually have one thing in common — they could have been prevented.

8 – Keep Active
The benefits of exercise as part of a treatment program for managing arthritis are well-known and documented. Despite the known benefits, many people with arthritis avoid exercising regularly.

9 – Watch Your Weight
Being overweight, even just moderately, impacts weight-bearing joints and can increase joint pain. As you walk, your hips, knees, and ankles bear three to five times your total body weight. For every pound you’re overweight, the equivalent of three to five pounds worth of added pressure is added to each knee as you walk. The flip side of that is good news: losing just 10 pounds causes 30 to 50 pounds of extra stress to be relieved from the joints.

10 – Seek Mutual Support
Arthritis not only affects people who have the disease, it impacts the people around them, especially family and friends. People living with arthritis and those who have loved ones with the disease can gain insight and draw inspiration from others facing similar challenges. You can share your advice and experiences, offer mutual support, ask questions, and encourage others in our online arthritis forum community.