Tis the season to be jolly… or is it? November 19, 2008
Posted by columbiaagedcare in Residential Aged Care.Tags: aged care services, christmas, columbia, season
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The festive season is just around the corner. Whilst there is often much to celebrate – family and friends coming together, summer holidays, religious festivals, very often the reality does not match our expectations. The festive period can sometimes be wrought with heartache, tension and exhaustion. There is a lot of social pressure placed upon us over this period. There is an emphasis on spending and often unrealistic expectations of giving and receiving.
People can find themselves placed under enormous financial strain that ultimately leads to emotional strain later. Curbing consumer excess during this period can prove very difficult. Although difficult, many people find that deciding to limit excess and sticking to that decision can prove useful. Others have found that instead of a family or friendship group buying individual presents, each person donates to a charity in another’s name. This is one way of reducing the splurge and giving where the giving can really count. The excess is not only limited to gift purchasing.
Especially with the current economic situation, the financial strain may be even tighter compared to other years. Just remember that Christmas should be a happy celebration! So make the most of what you have, reflect on the good times had throughout the year and enjoy yourself.
By David Goldman, Clinical Psychologist
Coping with Change November 4, 2008
Posted by columbiaagedcare in Health, Residential Aged Care.Tags: change, Columbia Aged Care Services, coping, Loss
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One could amend the old saying to include something extra: “the only certainties in life are death, taxes and change.” Change is a constant in life and very often we fear it, often because it’s outcome is largely unknown. Ironically, the environment, people and animals all need change to survive.
When faced with change, it is important not to rush the process. Change involves a transition from one set of circumstances to another and it is essential to give yourself time to adjust and settle. Whatever the change, emotions will play a large part.
Change may often involve a degree of loss so it is appropriate to allow yourself time to deal with the emotions. Whatever emotions are stirred up are important and need validating.
To cope with change, it is imperitive to have a strong support system around you. Family members and friends are essential during periods of change. Having someone to talk to, share a meal with or offer reassurance are all examples of how helpful our support systems can be. Remember to reach out at these times and ask for support when needed.
By David Goldman, Clinical Psychologist
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.
Asthma Attacks September 25, 2008
Posted by columbiaagedcare in Health, Residential Aged Care.Tags: Asthma, Asthma attack, breathlessness, wheezing, peak flow meter
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Asthma, it doesn’t matter whether you are young or old, you need to know what to do if someone is having an Asthma Attack. If you have Asthma then you also need to know what to do. Recognising the warning signs or clues the body sends that the person is not getting enough oxygen is an Asthma Attack. If you witness someone or you have one or more of these signs yourself alert someone who can help.
Some of the symptoms to watch for include;
• breathlessness
• wheezing
• chest tightness
• coughing
Worsening asthma may be indicated by waking at night with asthma symptoms, increasing use of ‘reliever’ medicines, decreasing or variable measures with the peak flow meter. Always seek and follow the advice of a medical practitioner. This advice is of a general nature and further information can be sought from medical practitioners.
In the meantime Asthma NSW has a lot of information on their website www.asthmansw.org. au including material for children and resources translated into languages other than English.
Sourced from Asthma Centre-MediMedia Australia and Asthma NSW.
Understanding the use of gloves September 17, 2008
Posted by columbiaagedcare in Health, Residential Aged Care.Tags: gloves, healthcare workers, latex allergy, wash hands
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There has been an increase in the use of gloves by healthcare workers since the emergence of AIDS in the 1980’s. With the advent of Universal precautions, and now Standard precautions, gloves are recommended to be worn whenever contact with blood or body fluid is anticipated. Staff need to take care to use gloves appropriately, think about why gloves need to be worn and not use gloves unnecessarily. From an Occupational Health and Safety perspective, latex sensitivity and latex allergy must not be ignored. Important issues regarding wearing of gloves are:
• Only use medical examination gloves for direct patient or resident care
• Wear the correct size of glove
• Wash hands before donning gloves
• Wash hands immediately after removing gloves
• Change examination gloves frequently
• Keep fingernails trimmed to reduce incidence of tearing and pinholes
• Liberally use water soluble lotions and moisturisers that are approved for use in the healthcare and aged care setting
• Don’t use hand care products that contain mineral oil, petroleum or lanolin if using natural rubber latex gloves as these chemicals can damage the latex
• Don’t wear gloves for tasks that don’t involve contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials
• Don’t store gloves near sterilizers, heaters, air conditioners or where exposed to temperature extremes, sunlight, ultraviolet light or fluorescent light as these conditions promote glove breakdown, compromising the protection they provide.
Staff featured on WhatCareer September 10, 2008
Posted by columbiaagedcare in Health, Residential Aged Care, articles.Tags: columbia aged care, Columbia Aged Care Services, WhatCareer, Willowood Centre
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Two of Columbia’s Willowood staff have been featured in the career website WhatCareer.
Resident Care Officer — Ryan Apostol
Ryan Apostol came to Australia from the Philippines to practice nursing. Ryan is one of the registered nurse’s for Columbia Aged Care Services in Willowood and loves working with everyone there.
Diversional Therapist — Sheila White
Sheila White is the Diversional Therapist at Columbia Aged Care Center coming into the industry with a background in finance and insurance. Sheila came to Columbia for a career change starting out as a receptionist before developing her role as the Recreational Activities Officer.
Watch their interviews and read their profiles at WhatCareer.
