... o Our bodies need water to deliver nutrients and carry away wast
Summer 2016 Dutiful Daughters
December 2016
Edition 32
address po box 1725 Bondi Junction, NSW 1355 phone 02 9960 3653 - 02 9387 1039 fax 02 9386 4900 email
[email protected] web dutifuldaughters.com.au abn 60 100 220 406 DIRECTOR’S WELCOME
MY AGED CARE
In this edition
My
we are delighted to announce that we have become an Approved Provider and listed on the MyAgedCare website as a service provider. Of course this doesn’t change anything in the way we provide care. Our focus is and has always been to ensure that we are providing the individualized support each and every one of our valued clients requires and deserves. The home care market has changed as there is more of an acceptance of support by the older community. There is greater recognition of the benefits and demonstrated outcomes of having regular visits from a trained care worker, or just being able to ring and ask for support as and when it is required. The benefits are immense and there is no doubt that it helps reduce the likelihood of falls or poor health. We also have had an exciting few months with the roll out of our Mobile Health Suite. Our staff using MHS can see the benefits of easily being able to provide feedback and review client’s care plans with up to the minute relevant details. Another focus this year has been our holistic training programs, with sessions on nutrition, swallowing, benefits of exercise and care for all aspects of our clients. As the year draws to a close we wish you well for the New Year and safety during the festive season. Regards Kathy
Aged Care is an Australian Government initiative that is basically a ‘one-stop-shop’ for navigating Australia’s aged care system. My Aged Care provides: -
Home Care Packages to fund services, which are delivered via
-
Consumer Directed Care, which gives you more power over the design and delivery of your services, which includes
-
a choice of care providers from a list of approved providers (including DD!).
To get started, call 1800 200 422 or visit www.myagedcare.gov.au. GETTING YOUR BEST CARE
You have a choice in who you want to provide your care. Becoming an approved provider involves a very stringent application process, so all providers are subject to a high level of scrutiny. This is nothing new for DD—we are accredited by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards, the leading authority in health care evaluation and assessment in Australia. All DD staff receive ongoing training and skills development, and we require them to complete an annual minimum number of training hours. Even though our staff are highly
skilled, no two clients have the same care needs, and so we provide holistic care information for each client. Field staff access information via our Mobile Health Suite on their password-protected devices. Instant access to information is vital to good care, and we pride ourselves on our modern database and communications systems. Having such real-time information requires a high standard of observation and reporting. We collect regular feedback from our field staff, and our clinical team performs regular client visits and spot checks during services. We can detect whether a client is not getting proper nutrition, is showing signs of depression, is experiencing changes in dementia symptoms—and we can help address these issues. We can also provide information to other allied services as required. For example, if a client has breathing difficulties, it may be useful for their GP to know that we are concerned about a humid house with mould. DD has always provided individualised care. From the very first phone call, we gather information that is specific to you— everything from your healthcare conditions to how you take your coffee! We’re here for you if you’ve broken your leg and need help around the house, and we’re here for you if you need end-of-life care.
BE SUMMER SMART o
o o
Our bodies need water to deliver nutrients and carry away waste. Age makes us more susceptible to dehydration, and many medications have a diuretic effect. Dehydration can also lead to constipation, asthma, depression, arthritis and much more. Our sense of thirst weakens with age, so older adults need frequent reminders to drink fluids. Heat stress is the #1 natural cause of death in Australia, ahead of all other natural hazards (floods, bushfires etc.) combined. Check on elderly friends and neighbours during heatwaves, and encourage fluids and cooling techniques. The temperature in a parked car can be 20 - 30°C hotter than the outside air temperature. 75% of the temperature rise happens within the first 5 minutes. Never leave children or older adults unattended—not even for a short time.
MORE ABOUT HOME CARE PACKAGES Home Care Packages range from Level 1 (basic care needs) to Level 4 (high-level care needs). Your needs are assessed during a free visit from the Aged Care Assessment Team. All four Package levels include a wide range of support services, domestic assistance, personal care, transport to appointments and social outings, nutrition services, meal preparation and much more.
SUMMER DEMENTIA SAFETY TIPS
VITAMIN D-ELIGHTFUL!
Vitamin D helps your body absorb
A HELPING HAND
Did
you know that the stress of being a family carer:
Impacts your immune system, even up to 3 years after your caring role ends?
Increases your chance developing chronic illness?
Can take up to 10 years off your life? (Source: CAN)
Several of DD’s clients first came to us when their son or daughter needed to get away for an event or emergency, and they desperately needed a solution for their parent’s care needs. They didn’t know what services were available to them until they were forced to step away for the first time in many years. Not only can DD step in to assist (sometimes with only a couple of hours’ notice), but we send regular updates and feedback, making any time away as stress-free as possible. Without a break, the stress and exhaustion of being a carer can be overwhelming. Take a holiday— your health depends on it.
Always supervise loved ones with dementia around water (pools, lakes, etc.) and fires (BBQs, campfires, etc.). Also be wary of hot surfaces, such as a metal railing in the sun. Pack away warm coats, boots, and other clothes that are unsuitable for hot weather, so the temptation to overdress isn’t there. Offer 1 or 2 light, sun-safe outfit choices.
Family gatherings can be confusing and upsetting. Fun, festive name tags can help avoid embarrassing memory slips. Maintain a calm environment, e.g., seat your loved one away from the busy kitchen, and have children run and play outside. Prepare visitors so they are aware of your loved one’s condition.
The festive season can evoke feelings of nostalgia and depression. Visiting your loved one more often during this time can help them avoid feelings of isolation. Allow them to reminisce, but be prepared to steer the conversation toward more positive memories if they become too emotional.
of
Carers are often those who are most in need of a holiday, but have the most barriers to being able to take one. Who will check that Dad is eating properly, or that Mum has taken her medications?
Busy areas and loud noises can cause anxiety and increase confusion. Opt for peaceful alternatives such as watching fireworks from a distance away from crowds, or on TV.
calcium for healthy bones, and summer is the easiest time to get it. The sun is the best natural source of vitamin D, and getting an adequate amount can take only a few minutes each day (visit www.cancer.org.au for your own specific requirements). Some foods also provide small amounts of vitamin D, including fatty fish, eggs, and vitamin Dfortified margarine and milk. We often get our daily requirements in summer without trying, through incidental exposure such as on a short walk to the corner store. However, too much UV exposure can lead to skin cancer, so sun protection must be used when the UV Index is 3 or above (see www.bom.gov.au for daily UV forecasts).
FUN FACT Mushrooms produce their own vitamin D when left in the sun for at least 1 hour before cooking.
GRIEF AND COMPANIONSHIP An unfortunate part of ageing is the loss of loved ones. Bereavement can cause depression and anxiety, as well as some surprising physical impacts such as a weakened immune system. It is important for individuals who are grieving to maintain relationships and continue to leave their home. Even for those who are in good health, grief can cause increased isolation, anxiety and loneliness. DD provides bereaved clients (even those who do not need other forms of care) with companionship in their home, as well as support on outings (e.g., to cafes, museums, and beauty appointments). We help maintain a healthful lifestyle with fresh, healthy meals and light exercise (e.g., walking in Sydney’s many beautiful parks and bays). Having regular visits also helps to establish a routine, which is extremely comforting. As always, the care we provide aims to promote independence, restore confidence, and increase social connectedness.
