Indholdsfortegnelse for Spring 2022 i Australian Carers Guide Vic/Tas

During the election campaign the Albanese government promised to “fix the aged care crisis” and in the first weeks of the new government they have introduced two bills, one of those bills has already passed, and they have ordered a review of aged care regulator. Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said “We are wasting no time getting on with the job with fixing the aged care system.” The first bill, The Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022 seeks to legislate many of Labor’s election promises. It will mandate a registered nurse to be on-site at an aged care home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The bill will also introduce reporting requirements to address the “lack of accountability and transparency” identified by the Aged Care Royal Commission.…

1/3 Australians aren’t getting enough sleep. Source: ABS Self-monitoring with self-awareness can help you get the sleep you need using the tool of acknowledging, assessing and assisting. Acknowledge Sleep is vital for physical and mental well-being. However, you may find yourself becoming sleep deprived if you don’t have control over the situation you’re living in. For instance, it is impossible to sleep when you are living with a family member who has moderate-stage dementia and who is consistently getting up in the middle of the night to wander away from home. On the other hand, the loss of sleep may not be due to the care recipient’s behaviour at all. Other factors can influence a caregiver’s sleep, such as your own physical condition (e.g., arthritis) or side effects from medication.…

And why you may need one sooner rather than later Not for one moment did we think that one of us sisters would pass before Dad, but she did. She was the main carer so it made sense that she was the only power of attorney, the only one that knew his financial situation and bank accounts. In a week that we wanted to sit by our darling sister’s bedside – holding her hand, brushing her hair and farewelling her my other sister and I couldn’t. We had to get Dad to his Solicitor, sort out the new power of attorney, find out where his bank accounts were so we could keep paying his aged care bills. Dad was legally blind and our sister had taken care of everything for…

1. The impact of COVID-19 and social distancing requirements on our ageing population has exacerbated the risk of social separation. Re-engagement after lengthy periods of isolation can be difficult for many Seniors. 2. Many Seniors in residential aged care have experienced mental health issues during confinement to their rooms without visitors. Loneliness can also affect Seniors living alone, and even those who are living with their families. Men struggling with isolation can often go unnoticed, due to the social stigma that surrounds male loneliness making it difficult for them to discuss such issues. 3. Social disengagement can be experienced in many forms including psychological, emotional and physical, resulting in isolation and loneliness. This in turn can lead to mobility and cognitive changes in older people, who then require additional care and…

And while we might feel the need to maximise every minute, this constant pressure can damage your health. It exposes you to higher than usual levels of hormones linked to your ‘fight or flight’ response — contributing to health problems including depression and high blood pressure. Stress can become a bit of a cycle. When you’re under pressure you’re less likely to eat well and exercise. We may also resort to overeating, smoking or using alcohol or drugs to cope with life’s demands. These unhealthy habits add to our health problems – so the cycle continues. EXERCISE BEATS STRESS You might feel like reaching for a glass of wine at the end of a long day, but research suggests you’re far better off tackling your stress on an exercise mat…

HOME FIRST. Arrange home delivery whenever you can. It’s easier, involves less waiting and is by far the safest approach for all concerned. MASK UP. As we’ve all heard, you can be a carrier without knowing it. Wearing a face mask or covering in public places helps reduce the risk of spreading. You don’t need professional equipment—that should be reserved for medical personnel. Wearing a face mask to prevent the transmission of the virus is one of the most basic things we can do to be considerate of our fellow shoppers. ONE PERSON, NOT A TEAM. Less is better when it comes to going out. Get organised. Make a list. Plan your trip and don’t stop along the way. Go alone if you can. And whenever possible, designate one person…

However, you may experience resentment from family members, and even have your relationships fall apart due to disagreements about care. Arguments can develop over issues such as the sharing of responsibility for care, the type of care provided, financial decisions and emotional flare ups. Here are some tips that may help you maintain the family bonds. Sole Carer Stress If you are the primary carer for a family member, the stress of managing your responsibilities can sometimes cause resentment and a feeling of injustice. This is a common response to feel this way, and you should not feel guilty for being emotional at a challenging time. You may feel this way even when you enjoy your caring role and feel privileged to be their carer. These feelings may negatively impact…

Yet we all die. Have we truly lost the art of caring for the dying? A skill handed down from generation to generation up to the last one hundred years or so where we could now debate that our Western society has created a ‘death disconnect’ through the introduction of an institutionalised version of dying and death. One where many of us never participate in the care of a dying family member or friend or see a dead person. For many, our discomfort to talk, or in most cases, even think, about death leaves many struggling to engage in this space and creates a significant barrier to engaging in conversations and actions that benefit end‑of-life planning and care. This disengagement leads to too many people not receiving care at the…

I’D RATHER BE KNITTING Grabbing a pair of knitting needles and a ball of wool can be more than just a way of keeping busy. Research shows that knitting: ■ lowers blood pressure, reduces depression, anxiety, and delays the onset of dementia. ■ increases mood and dulls pain, as the repetitive movements promote the release of calming serotonin. ■ reduces the heart rate by an average of 11 beats per minute. ■ helps one to feel relaxed and useful. Source: knitforpeace.org.uk HEALTHY HEART QUIZ Answer “true” or “false” to the following statements. Q Taking the blood pressure in both arms may reveal a higher heart-attack risk. True: You should measure blood pressure in both arms. A difference of 10 points or more means a 38 per cent greater chance of…

Jay’s story is a perfect example of the senseless negativity gossip can bring. Jay was a retirement-home patient who I had instructed to take his medication before he started eating. People gossip. They always have and they always will, especially when they become anxious. So, wouldn’t you know it, a lady at Jay’s table got the false idea that the nitroglycerin he was taking was to prevent him from having a heart attack during the meal. And she went to town, telling everyone and speculating on what might happen. Of course, others around the table got anxious that something horrible might happen between their appetisers and dessert. The lady’s gossiping was hard to avoid and became quite infectious. Residents whispered among themselves and began to ask Jay if he was…

Senior hoarding issues are tough for carers to manage, both physically and emotionally. Hoarding can cause safety hazards like increased fall risk, blocked emergency access, and unsanitary living conditions. To help care for a hoarder, The Australian Carers Guide explains the difference between a pack rat and a hoarder as well as the emotions behind the behavior. They also share tips on how to emotionally support a hoarder and get them the help they need to make a change. Understanding the emotional side of this behavior helps you work toward effective solutions in a kind and gentle way. Hoarding is especially dangerous for seniors Hoarding is dangerous for almost everyone, but it’s especially harmful for seniors. They’re more likely to fall in a crowded home and their health will be…

“I became a carer overnight after a woodshed fire changed my husband’s demeanor. He lost interest in doing things and was making errors. Six months later, he suffered a heart attack and was diagnosed with dementia (Alzheimer’s).” There were subtle changes: being unable to read the calendar, and when reading the clock his thought process was not clear. The following year, I gave up employment to care for him full time. The diagnosis was a shock. We both felt so many emotions. I felt hopeless not knowing what to do. I knew i was losing Fred, but i was unable to prevent this from happening. There was no operation, no wound so it is difficult to understand what had happened. It has been interesting to see the reactions of other…

1 Prepare not just one, but two budgets. One is for your remaining years of working, and the other is for when you have retired. In thinking and dreaming about how you want to live in your retirement, you can start to prepare and budget for it now. This will give you a better understanding of your finances and give you a goal to work toward. 2 Project your income. You need to understand and project your income in your retirement. Knowing how much you will have each month will ground your expectations and give you a chance to organise housing, transportation and future activities. Be realistic, and think about potential unexpected costs and medical expenses. 3 Think about your long-term care needs. A tough as it is, there is…