Delirium

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Delirium – Information for patients, families and Friends

 

It is our hope that this article will help you learn more about:

What is Delirium?

  • The signs and symptoms
  • How it can be prevented and
  • What families, friends and caregivers can do to help
  • Where to find more information

What is Delirium?

Weaving Secret Riddle Confusion Thread Patterns

Delirium is a condition that causes a person to be confused. It is a physical problem (a change in the body) that can cause temporary change in the person’s thinking. Delirium usually starts over a few days and often get better with treatment.

Delirium can happen to anyone, anywhere. But, it often happens when someone is in the Hospital

 

Once identified, delirium is often treated as a medical emergency. Treatment is put in place right away because it can be a risk to patient safety.

 

Delirium can cause patients to slip and fall or to feel a lot of emotional and spiritual distress. A person with delirium may not be able to understand when people are trying to help them. They may become angry with family and hospital staff. They may start to think that everyone is against them or are trying to harm them. Some people with delirium may want to call the police to get help.

Delirium is like being in the middle of a very strange dream or nightmare, but the person is having these experiences while they are fully awake.

 

What is the risk of delirium?

  • About 20 out of 100 patients admitted to hospital will experience.
  • About 70 patients out of 100 admitted to the intensive care unit will experience delirium. 

 

What causes delirium?

Delirium can be caused by:

A Physical illness (that brought someone to the hospital)
  • Someone who is ill can have changes in their body chemicals, become dehydrated (not enough water in the body) or get an infection, such as a bladder infect or urinary tract infection. These kinds of problems can cause delirium.

 

Medications

  • The medications the hospitals use to treat illness or control pain can cause delirium

 

Is delirium the same as depression or dementia?

No. Delirium can happen more often in people who have dementia or depression, but it is different.

Delirium happens quickly. It can come and go at any time. This does happen with dementia and depression.

Patients with delirium cannot focus their attention. This is different from patients with dementia and depression.

 

Types of Delirium

There are 2 types of delirium:

  1. Hypoactive delirium

This type of delirium happens most often in elderly patients but can affect anyone at any age.

Patients with hypoactive delirium may:

  • Move very slowly or not active
  • Not want to spend time with others
  • Pause frequently when speaking or not speak at all
  • Look sleepy
  1. Hyperactive delirium

This type of delirium is easier to recognize.

Patients with hyperactive delirium may:

  • May be worried and afraid
  • Be restless (not able to stay still or have trouble sleeping)
  • Repeat the same movement many times
  • Experience hallucinations (seeing something or someone that is not really there).
  • Experience delusions (believe something that is not true).

At times a patient can have both hypoactive and hyperactive symptoms.

 

What are the signs and symptoms of delirium?

A check list:

Disorganized thinking                                                      YES                NO

Saying things that are mixed up or do not make sense

Difficulty concentrating                                                   YES                NO

Easily distracted or having difficulty following what is being said

Memory changes                                                                YES                NO

Not able to remember names, places, dates, times or other important information

Hallucinations                                                                     YES                NO

Seeing or hearing things which are not real

Having delusions                                                                YES                NO

Thinking or believing things which are not true or real

Feeling restless .                                                                 YES                NO

Not able to stay still, trouble sleeping, getting out of bed

Changing energy levels                                                     YES                NO

Changes from being restless to being drowsy or sleepier than usual

 

How can delirium be prevented?

All patients should be carefully screened (checked) for these factors that may cause delirium:

  • Hearing problems
  • Vision problems
  • Not enough water in the body (dehydration)
  • Not being able to sleep or other sleep problems
  • Dementia, depression or both
  • Difficulty getting up and walking around
  • Medication being taken
  • History of alcohol or recreational drug use
  • Chemical changes or imbalances in your body
  • Low oxygen in your body
  • Other health condition or illness

Having trouble:

  • Thinking clearly, reasoning, remembering and judging
  • Concentrating
  • Understanding
  • Express ideas

 

How is delirium be treated?

  1. The health care team helps the patient stay safe and calm
  1. They will try to find the cause of the delirium. Often, there is more than one cause. They also make sure any factors they find are not caused by another medical condition
  1. Then they will address the factors or ease the symptoms.

This could include:

  • Reviewing and changing medications
  • Provide fluids to rehydrate
  • Correcting chemical problems in the body
  • Treat infections
  • Treating low oxygen levels

 

What can family and friends do to help?

Family and friends and caregivers can all help to prevent delirium for their loved ones in hospital.

 

Keep a careful watch for the signs and symptoms of delirium

  • If you see any signs that could mean delirium talk with your health care team right away. Family members are often the first to notice these small changes.
  • Use the signs and symptoms check list and factors list listed on this article to guide your findings.

 

Help with healthy eating and drinking while at the hospital

  • Ask what is right for your loved one before they eat and drink.
  • Make sure they have their dentures (if needed).
  • Encourage help with eating. Feel free to bring their favourite foods from home, check with the health care team about foods they should not eat.
  • Encourage them to drink often, if that is right for them.

 

Keep track of medications

  • Share a complete list of their prescriptions and any over the counter medications they take with the health care team… including the dosage.

 

Help with activity

  • Ask what is right for your loved one before starting any activities.
  • Talk to the team about helpful and safe activities.
  • Help them sit, stand and walk.

 

Help with mental stimulation

  • Make a schedule for family and friends to visit. This will help your loved one feel safe and comforted.
  • Speak to them in a calm, reassuring voice.
  • Tell them where they are and why they are there throughout the day. If possible, place a large sign in their room or write information on it.
  • For example, you could write: Today’s date, weather, where they are and their room number… this will help them stay connected.
  • Give them instructions one at a time. Do not give too much information at once.
  • Bring a few familiar objects from home, such as photo albums and their favourite music. If your loved one needs special care to prevent the spread of infection, check with the care team first.
  • Open the curtains during the day time.
  • Talk about current events.
  • Read the newspaper out loud or use talking books

 

Help them with eyesight and hearing

  • Make sure they wear their hearing aids or glasses, if they need them.
  • Make sure there is enough light in the room.
  • Help them use a magnifying glass, if they need one.

 

Help them rest and sleep

  • Reduce noise and distraction.
  • Soothe them with handholding, a massage, a warm drink or music.
  • Bring a night light, but check with the health care team first.
  • Use comfort items like their favourite pillow and blanket.
  • Limit the number of visitors who come to see your loved one until the delirium goes away.
  • The health care team may not give your loved one sleeping medications because it could make delirium worse.

 

Take care of yourself

It is not easy to be with a person with delirium, even though you may understand the problem

  • Make sure to look after yourself and get some rest. Go out for short walks, remember to eat and drink fluids to keep up your energy levels.
  • It may help to share your thoughts and feelings with someone. Feel free to speak with the health care team.
  • Try not to become upset about the things your loved one may say during their delirium state. People with delirium are not themselves. In many cases, they will not remember what they said or did.

Who can I talk to if I have more questions or concerns?

There are many members of the health care team who can offer help and support. Talk with your doctor or nurse and any member of the health care team, including a Psychiatry, Spiritual Care or Social Work departments. They will answer any questions or concerns you may have about delirium.

 

Delirium should go away or be greatly reduced with the right kinds of treatment… although in some cases some of the symptoms may remain for an extended period of time.

More information can be found on these helpful websites:

Delirium Mayo Clinic                     www.mayoclinic.com/health/delirium/DS01064

Delirium MedlinePlus                   www.nlm.nih/gov/medlineplus/delirium.html

 

Videos:

Youtube – How to recognize Delirium             www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwz9M2jZi_o

Many other videos choices will be available when you log on to this site.

 

Senior Care: Institutional Infections

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Healthcare-AssociateMRSAd Infections

Perhaps, the reasons and ultimately the deciding factors to consider Home Care Services for your loved one are too many to mention. I could not agree more that its the best decision, for another reason that you may not be aware.

The difficult decision to place a loved one in an institutional setting is intended on keeping them safe, healthy and well taken care of. There are some great institutions whose primary goals and objectives are just that… and do a great job at it. Unfortunately, they do not have the capacity to protect your loved one from the increased probability of contracting infections that are normally present in the very nature of an institutional setting. Some of these infections are highly contagious, nasty and some are even drug resistant. When they’re contracted there’s no simple method of eradication and the elderly are not only susceptible to contracting them, but can even die from it. Below are some details from the Public Health Canada.

The Chief Public Health Officer’s Report on the State of Public Health in Canada, 2013
 Infectious Disease—The Never-ending Threat.

Below I will share some of the relevant details as it pertains to infection control and seniors.

Highlights:

  • More than 200,000 patients get infections every year while receiving healthcare in Canada; more than 8,000 of these patients die as a result.
  • Mortality rates attributable to Clostridium difficile infection have more than tripled in Canada since 1997.
  • The healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection rate increased more than 1,000% from 1995 to 2009.
  • About 80% of common infections are spread by healthcare workers, patients and visitors.
  • Proper hand hygiene can significantly reduce the spread of infection.
  • Best practices in preventing infection can reduce the risk of some infections to close to zero.

The report goes on to say that – Contracting an infection while in a healthcare setting challenges the basic idea that healthcare is meant to make people well. Hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and home care services are meant to help people get better. Yet it is estimated that more than 200,000 Canadians acquire a healthcare-associated infection (HAI) each year and that 8,000 of them die as a result. Although definitive numbers are not available, it appears that these numbers are rising.

The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that HAIs (also known as nosocomial infections) are universal, affecting healthcare systems in every country.

However, noting that Canada is not alone does not make it less of a problem or any more acceptable. More must be done to keep Canadians safe while they seek treatment and care.

A healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is an infection that a patient contracts (or acquires) in a setting where healthcare is delivered (e.g. a hospital) or in an institution (e.g. a long-term care facility) or in a home care arrangement. The infection was neither present nor developing at the time the individual was admitted (or started treatment).

Some of the HAIs monitored by the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program (CNISP) include:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections;
  • Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infections;
  • Clostridium difficile (C. difficile);
  • Surgical site infections (SSI); and
  • Central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CVC-BSI).

Preventing HAIs involves the right engineering and the right equipment; attention to hygiene; training of healthcare providers and staff; and the cooperation and help of patients and their families and friends. Washing hands, cleaning environments and sterilizing instruments are the best ways to prevent HAIs.

However, following best practices is not always simple. It involves many people and increasing awareness in a complex environment. Educating and encouraging healthcare workers, patients and visitors to wash their hands at the right time and consistently perform other hygiene practices is one challenge. Others include the ever-changing characteristics of infectious agents and the increasing risk of infection associated with advances in medical care and increasingly vulnerable patients.

Becoming infected
People become infected with bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites when these micro-organisms spread through the air, through direct or indirect contact or when infected blood or body fluids enter the body (e.g. the bloodstream).

The risk of infection is higher in places where people gather, and the impact is magnified in hospitals and long-term care facilities because patients are already ill and at particular risk of infection due to medical interventions and “hands-on” care. About 8% of children and 10% of adults in Canadian hospitals have an HAI at any given time.

The severity is greatest among those who are elderly, very young, have weakened immune systems or have one or more chronic conditions.

Of greatest concern are the bacteria that are resistant to multiple types of antibiotics. More than 50% of HAIs are caused by bacteria that are resistant to at least one type of antibiotic.

Some infectious agents can spread easily from people who are infected to those who are not. They can also spread from healthy individuals who may carry the agent but do not develop clinical infections or know they are sick. Infection can easily spread from patient to patient through the hands of healthcare workers during treatment or personal care or by touching contaminated shared surfaces, such as bathrooms, toilets or equipment. Even the simple act of holding a loved one’s hand can risk spreading infection if hands haven’t been correctly washed.

An infected individual is one in whom infectious agents have developed to the point where the person gets ill and shows symptoms such as fever and high white blood cell count. An infected person may transmit infectious agents to another person through touch (direct to another person or indirect touching of the same object). However, not all individuals exposed to the infectious agent become infected and sick. Instead, they may become colonized.

Since most colonized individuals have no symptoms, they are unaware they are carrying the infectious agents. As a result, everyone—not just those who are sick—must be vigilant about hygiene and handwashing to protect others.

For some bacteria and viruses the number of colonized people is much higher than the number of infected people (i.e. who are sick). The relationship between the number colonized and the number infected is often referred to as the iceberg effect. The smallest part of the iceberg—the tip visible above the water—represents those who are infected and have symptoms. The largest portion of the iceberg—underwater and mostly invisible—represents the number of colonized people with no symptoms.

The key message here is, that which is visible is not representative of all that is present and we need to be concerned with what is not always visible. While direct person-to-person touch is the primary pathway, the healthcare environment itself can be a route of transmission. Bacteria can exist on many objects in the patient environment (e.g. bedrails, telephones, call buttons, taps, door handles, mattresses, chairs). Some of those bacterial agents can survive for a long time—in some cases for many weeks and even months.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) are two of the most well-known bacteria that are able to adapt and survive in the healthcare environment long enough to cause infection.

Clostridium difficile (C-Diff):
C. difficile is not a new bacterium. First identified in the 1930s, it was recognized as a cause of human illness in 1978.

Within the last five years, C. difficile has earned much public attention as a difficult-to-control superbug that attacks vulnerable patients, particularly the elderly, and undermines the safety of healthcare institutions.

The bacteria are found in feces and causes mild to severe diarrhea as well as other serious intestinal conditions, including life-threatening pseudomembranous colitis, bowel perforation and sepsis.

C. difficile infection (CDI) is the most frequent cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitals and long-term care facilities in Canada.

In hospitals reporting to the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program (CNISP), the incidence of CDI in the first nine months of 2011 was 4.5 cases per 1,000 patient hospital admissions.

Although the incidence of CDI has remained fairly steady in recent years, the severity seems to be increasing. The mortality rate attributable to CDI in Canadian hospitals more than tripled over the last decade and a half, from 1.5% of deaths among CDI patients in 1997 to 5.4% in 2010.

The bacteria can be spread by touching contaminated feces and then a surface object and/or an individual. Eventually, the bacteria can reach the mouth or nose as a result of touching one’s face or eating.

Some populations, particularly seniors and those who are immune-compromised, are more vulnerable to infection.

C. difficile is not a significant risk for healthy people; however, they can still be colonized, potentially passing on the bacteria to others who may become infected.

Research on object contamination shows that as levels of environmental contamination increase, so does the prevalence of C. difficile transmitted between healthcare workers and from them to patients.

This specialized bacterium is very difficult to remove. It creates spores that are resistant to many of the usual cleaning and disinfection practices. The spores can survive for up to 5 months on surfaces such as tables, medical equipment and other objects, making hygiene critically important in hospitals and healthcare institutions.

C. difficile is a particular problem for people already on antibiotics. Antibiotics kill many of the normal ‘good’ bowel bacteria, allowing C. difficile to multiply and produce the toxins that damage the bowel and cause diarrhea.

Simple acts can help reduce the risks of CDI. For example, proper hand hygiene can make a big difference. Since the spores are resistant to alcohol, washing hands with soap and water is recommended over alcohol hand rubs in a healthcare facilities experiencing outbreaks of C. difficile.

Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA):
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a drug-resistant form of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)—the most common cause of serious hospital-acquired infections. S. aureus spreads primarily through direct skin-to-skin contact as well as indirectly, as when people share personal items such as towels, razors and needles. If this bacterium enters the body it can cause infections in many areas including the skin, bones, blood and vital organs such as the lungs and the heart. Many people have S. aureus on their skin at any given time and approximately 30% of people are colonized with S. aureus in their nose.

For healthy individuals, this does not pose a threat; however, they could spread the bacteria by touch to other people. This is particularly difficult to control in healthcare settings where healthcare workers need to touch patients to assess, treat and help them. In addition, visitors often touch a patient to greet or comfort them.

Of particular concern in healthcare situations are MRSA infections as these are generally multidrug-resistant. In the early 1940s, penicillin was completely effective in treating S. aureus. However, after this antibiotic became widely used, the micro-organism quickly adapted and became penicillin-resistant. In the early 1960s, the antibiotic methicillin was introduced and shortly after that MRSA emerged.

Healthcare-associated MRSA rates per 1,000 patient admissions from 1995 to 2009, Canada: Rates of healthcare-associated MRSA infection and colonization have been steadily increasing for more than a decade.

The combined, overall rate went from less than 1 case per 1,000 patient admissions in 1995 to more than 6 cases in 2009. The infection rate increased by more than 1,000%, from 0.17 cases per 1,000 patient admissions in 1995 to 1.96 cases in 2009. The increase in the colonization rate was even larger, with the number of colonized cases per 1,000 patient admissions climbing from 0.15 in 1995 to 4.21 in 2009.

Recognizing the global need for infection control, WHO launched the first Global Patient Safety Challenge in 2005—an international campaign to encourage member states to reduce the risk of infection in healthcare settings. The “Clean Care is Safer Care” campaign includes several components: clean products, clean practices, clean equipment and clean environment, all within the overall goal of implementing WHO hand hygiene recommendations.

Canada joined the Global Patient Safety Challenge in 2006 and later launched the Canadian Patient Safety Institute’s (CPSI) Stop! Clean Your Hands program. This program is part of Canada’s Hand Hygiene Challenge, which is meant to improve hand hygiene practices and compliance in healthcare settings.

Hand hygiene: It’s clear that clean, healthy hands equals better health. Proper hand hygiene—washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs—is the single best way of preventing HAIs.Even small improvements in hand hygiene result in large benefits: an increase in adherence to hand hygiene by only 20% has been shown to reduce the rate of HAIs by 40%.

Even though infection control today has new challenges, such as antibiotic resistance, the principles of hand hygiene remain key to preventing infection. For example, the use of regular soap and water, rather than antimicrobial soaps, is sufficient. In fact, antimicrobial soaps may contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance. When hands are not visibly soiled or soap and water are not readily available, alcohol-based hand rubs should be used.

Despite public health messages about the importance of washing hands to reduce the spread of infection, handwashing is not always done effectively. This could be because people establish hand hygiene patterns in childhood. Old habits are hard to break—changes in practice can be difficult and slow even among some healthcare professionals.

Everyone needs to learn and practice the correct technique for hand washing:

  • Remove all jewellery and rinse hands with warm running water
  • Use a small amount of liquid soap in the palm of your hands and rub your hands together for about 20 seconds to form a lather that covers your entire hands including the palms, the backs, the backs of the thumbs, the fingertips and between the fingers
  • Rinse hands well for about 10 seconds and then dry completely. Try not to touch faucets and other items with clean hands

It is never too early to learn the basics of washing hands. Parents, teachers and childcare workers can teach children the importance of handwashing as well as how to do it correctly. The amount of time it takes children to soap their hands thoroughly is the same as the amount of time it takes to sing a nursery rhyme such as “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”

Patients can also make a difference and improve hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers and visitors by simply asking if they have cleaned their hands or requesting that they do so. However, while most patients want to be involved in improving hygiene, many say that they are reluctant to ask questions in case they become a nuisance to their healthcare team.

Better efforts are needed to make patients and their advocates feel comfortable in speaking up for their own safety and to encourage them to be vigilant in healthcare settings.

Many healthcare settings now use external cleaning services. In these situations, it is also essential that proper policies and procedures are followed. After cleaning and disinfection of the environments in healthcare settings is carried out, there are no national standards in Canada to measure how clean things are. Instead, the level of cleanliness is assessed by how clean things look. Researchers in the United Kingdom found that 90% of the wards that looked clean still contained unacceptable numbers of micro-organisms.

Monitoring infection
Most HAIs are preventable. As many as 70% of some types of HAIs could reasonably be prevented if infection prevention and control strategies are followed. However, just because some type of monitoring occurs does not mean that it is effective in preventing and controlling HAIs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States carried out the Study on the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control (SENIC) project to identify the most effective approaches to infection surveillance, prevention and control.

A survey of Canadian hospitals with more than 80 beds reported in 2008 that hospitals carried out, on average, only two-thirds (68%) of the recommended surveillance activities based on SENIC project findings and only 64% of the recommended infection control activities. In addition, only 23% had the recommended number of infection control professionals on staff.

Mandatory standards, monitoring and public reporting are necessary to understand and tackle HAIs. Some current practices are inconsistent and uncoordinated, and more could be done to improve monitoring, addressing and reporting of HAIs in Canada.

HAIs complicate the lives of Canadians when they are at their most vulnerable, resulting in longer illnesses and greater risk of death. They can impact people even after they are discharged from healthcare facilities. What’s more, the longer patients remain infectious, the longer they can spread infectious agents to others.

There is no doubt that Canadian Institutions understand the magnitude of this problem. However, there’s an inherent complexities within institutions that make it difficult to implement effective and sustainable infection control practices.

While Home Care may not eliminate infections completely, it certainly removes the environmental risk and conditions that contribute to contracting infections. Home Care is a controlled environment and much easier to implement effective & sustainable practices to safeguard your loved one against infections.

Please contact us today, to discuss any challenges you may be facing and how our services can help you remain independent, protected, safe, and in you home / community.

You got questions, we have answers: (905) 785-2341 or email us at 

 

 

 

The Flu or a Cold?

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Original Title: Sneeze_79bj.jpgIs It a Cold or Flu? How to Tell the Difference

This article is not intended to diagnose or determine if you have a cold or flu, simply as a quick reference to distinguish the two. I have collected and compiled as much simplified information as possible to help you identify your symptoms. However, there is no substitute to seeing you family doctor to validate your symptoms.

Colds and Influenza have so much in common that it can sometimes be hard to tell them apart. Both caused by viruses causing your airways to become infected. They share common symptoms that can leave you feeling miserable. You swear it’s a cold, your friend thinks it’s the flu, and the dozens of meds at the pharmacy that promise to make you feel human again claim to target both. So does the difference matter?

Absolutely, says Susan Rehm, MD, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. The influenza virus causes the flu, and since just a few variants of the virus exist, it’s become relatively easy to prevent, with a flu shot, or treat once you’ve got it.

Cold’s can be trickier. The rhinovirus is often responsible, but more than 200 other viruses can trigger the common cold—which means anti-viral prescriptions aren’t typically an option. Instead, over-the-counter symptom-relievers and home remedies are your best bet—but you still need to tread carefully. To get the last word on how to treat—and how not to treat—the common cold and flu, we consulted experts from the field. Here are their tips.

It’s the flu if…

“It hits you like a bolt of lightning,” says Steven Lamm, MD, internist and faculty member at NYU School of Medicine and a frequent guest doctor on The View. “You’ll likely run a fever of above 101F, and you’ll be flat out,” says Dr. Lamm. Chills, fatigue, muscle aches, and tightness of the chest are also characteristic of the flu. You might have a cough, or a runny nose, but you’re less likely to suffer from upper respiratory symptoms than you are with the cold.

What to do…

Get to the doctor—and fast. “The prescription-only anti-viral medications Tamiflu and Relenza must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of the symptoms,” says Karen Hill, MD, the founder of Internal Medicine and Pediatric Associates in Houston. The treatment will reduce the intensity of symptoms, hasten recovery, and significantly decrease the chances of you developing complications such as pneumonia or bronchitis.

What not to do…

Taking several over the counter (OTC) drugs to treat your symptoms can be dangerous, causing you to inadvertently double-dose on any one ingredient, warns Dr. Rehm. “Combination meds sometimes contain acetaminophen without advertising it on the front of the box. If you also take, say, Tylenol, you’re in danger of toxification.”

Antibiotics are another no-no, says Dr. Lamm, because they target bacteria—not viruses. There’s a caveat, though: “When complications develop, like if someone coughs up green phlegm spotted with blood, this signals a bacterial infection, and here antibiotics could be appropriate,” says Dr. Lamm.

It’s a cold if…

“The symptoms are predominantly above the neck,” explains E. Neil Schachter, MD, author of The Good Doctor’s Guide to Colds and Flu. Runny nose, cough, watery eyes, sore throat, congestion, and sneezing signal a cold, and these unpleasant symptoms often build up over a day or two. “You may feel achy or have a fever, but these will be much less severe than with the flu,” says Dr. Schachter.

What to do…

To shave a few days off a cold, take daily 250-500mg of vitamin C at the onset of the illness, says Dr. Schachter. “But there’s no definitive evidence that this works, and too huge amounts will irritate your stomach,” he warns—but it’s worth a shot. Zinc lozenges, such as Cold-Eeze, taken regularly over 48 hours may potentially also help. If your symptoms get bad, hit the pharmacy or your local health food store. Antihistamines can dry up your sinuses, or, for a more natural remedy, Hill suggests a saline nasal spray. “Nasal passages are where the virus replicates and enters into your system,” explains Dr. Hill. “By rinsing them out you’re effectively flushing out some of the virus.”

What not to do…

If you have a mild fever—below 100°F—don’t necessarily reach for the fever reducer, advises Dr. Lamm. “Unless you’re in a high-risk category, fever can be your body’s way of fighting off the infection.” Instead, you may just be better off getting rest and drinking plenty of fluids to make sure you don’t get dehydrated from sweating. You should also avoid decongestants, says Dr. Hill. These thicken mucus and reduce the swelling of the nasal passages, making it easier breathe—but they can also lead to a rebound effect: “They work well the first time,” says Dr. Hill, “but with every subsequent use you’ll have to administer more, and you’ll have to medicate more frequently for relief.”

There are enough differences, though, that may help you figure out which one you have. That can make a difference in what you do to treat your symptoms and keep it from going around.

Symptoms

It’s true that you can get a cold anytime — spring, summer or fall, but most likely in winter.  Flu season typically runs from November through March, although you can get the flu in October or as late as May.

You can catch the flu at other times. But symptoms outside of flu season are more likely to be from a cold or an allergy.

Flu symptoms usually come on faster than cold symptoms. Colds may take two or three days to develop. Normally, you start feeling the flu over just two to three hours.

Flu tends to be much worse than a cold.  And the flu, especially in children and among older people, is more likely to lead to serious health problems such as pneumonia and a hospital stay.

Influenza vs. Common Cold

This chart features some tips to help you differentiate between the symptoms of influenza and the common cold. Rarely, bur sometimes symptoms may not be enough for your doctor to diagnose if you have a cold or the flu, he may order a test to determine what you have.

Symptom Cold Flu
Fever Rare Fever between 100 and 102 in most cases; typically lasts 3-4 day
Chills Not common About half of people with flu get them.
Muscle or body aches Not common. If they do occur, usually mild Common and often severe
Headaches Not common Most cases; may be sudden
Feelings of fatigue, weakness May occur, generally mild Moderate to severe fatigue and weakness; may last up to 2-3 weeks
Cough Common, generally mild to moderate, usually produces phlegm Dry cough (no phlegm) that may be severe; may last several weeks
Sneezing and stuffy nose Common. Stuffy nose may last about a week. Sometimes
Sore throat Common Sometimes
Chest discomfort Sometimes; generally mild Common; may be severe
Vomiting and diarrhea Unusual Not usual; most often in children

You’re Sick! Should You Work Out?

If you’re exercising consistently—and I hope you are—you’ll run into this problem from time to time. According to the American Council on Exercise, the average adult has two to three respiratory infections every year. (Consider this, another reason to get your flu shot.)

The rule to use is called the “neck check.” You can exercise while sick if your symptoms are all above the neck, like a runny nose or a sore throat. Of course, you should always listen to your body and take the intensity of your workout down a bit if your regular pace feels too strenuous.

If you’re suffering from congestion or low energy, exercise often helps you feel better. A brisk walk can unclog your sinuses better than an afternoon on the couch. And gentle exercise will rev up your circulation, to counteract that sluggish, rundown feeling. But this is definitely a personal decision. You’re the best judge of how you feel and what your body can handle when you’re sick.

However, if you have any symptoms below the neck, such as body aches, chills, stomach problems or diarrhea, then it is advise you to take it easy until you’re feeling better. And if you’re running a fever, no matter where your symptoms are, put off exercising until your temperature returns to normal.

Maintaining healthy habits may keep you from getting sick in the first place. So wash your hands frequently, eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water and get adequate sleep. If you can find some room on your calendar, be sure to schedule a little “me time” to relax.

One more thing: If you exercise in a public setting, like a gym, please consider your fellow exercisers and think about how contagious you might be. If you can’t get through a single set on a weight machine without coughing or sneezing, you have my permission to stay home with a box of tissues and some hot tea!

To take, or not to take a Flu-Shot?

There are as many debates as there are advantages and disadvantages about taking or declining the flu-shot.

The flu vaccine isn’t for everyone. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention explains that infants younger than six months of age are not approved to receive the vaccine. Anyone with an allergy to eggs also cannot receive the vaccine because it is developed and grown on eggs and could cause a serious reaction if injected into an allergic individual. Patients who are sick with any sort of illness that is accompanied with a fever cannot receive the vaccine until they have fully recovered.

Side effects common with the flu shot include localized soreness at the injection site, low-grade fever and body aches, explains the CDC. The flu shot is made of an inactive or dead viruses, therefore contracting the flu from the flu shot is not possible. Although more serious side affects have been documented – Other rare side affects.

The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and other experts strongly affirm that the benefits far outweigh the affects. Clearly, this is decision to be made in conjunction with your family doctor who intimately knows your medical conditions, history, tolerances and risk factors.

Please contact us today, to discuss any challenges you may be facing and how our services can help you remain independent, protected, safe, and in you home / community.

You got questions, we have answers: (905) 785-2341 or email us at 

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care… The road ahead

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Alzheimer's & Dementia Article1Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care… The road ahead

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia can be a challenge, not only for the person diagnosed but also for their spouses and family members. Although caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia can seem overwhelming at times, the more information & support you have, the better you will handle the demands and determine the long-term care options that are best suited to you and your loved one.

 

 

THIS ARTICLE WILL DEAL WITH:

  • Preparing yourself for the care
  • Developing routines
  • Engaging your loved one in activities
  • Planning activities with your loved one
  • Handling challenges as they present themselves
  • Considering long term care
  • Assessing assisted living or nursing homes

Preparing yourself for Alzheimer’s & dementia care

You may be dealing with a whole range of emotions and concerns, as you come to grips with an Alzheimer’s or other dementia diagnosis. There’s no doubt you will be worried about how your loved one will change, how you will keep him or her safe & comfortable, and how much your life will change in order to sustain it. Emotions such as anger, grief, and shock will be likely to be experienced. Adjusting to this new reality is neither, easy or immediate. It is critically important to give yourself some time, process the road ahead and reach out for help and support from a number of resources available. The more support you have, the better you will be able to help and manage your loved one, care.

While some of these tips are aimed specifically for people with Alzheimer’s, they can equally apply to persons suffering with other types of dementia.

Early-stage Alzheimer’s care preparations

Some Alzheimer’s & Dementia care preparations that are best done sooner rather than later. It’s hard to consider these questions at first, as it means thinking about a time when you or your loved one is already well down the road of his or her Alzheimer’s journey. However, putting such preparations in place early helps a smoother transition for everyone later on. Depending on the stage of diagnosis, include the person with Alzheimer’s & Dementia in the decision-making process as much as possible. If the person is at a more advanced stage of dementia, at least try to act on what their wishes would be.

Questions to consider in preparing for Alzheimer’s and dementia care:

▪   Who will make healthcare and financial decisions when the person is no longer able to do so?

While this is difficult topic to raise, if your loved one is still lucid enough, getting their wishes down on paper means they’ll be preserved and respected by all members of the family. Consider having a family meeting involving the person and those who may be impacted with the decisions being made (all children, and or grandchildren who may have to ultimately step up and take on a role in their care). In most cases such family meetings can go smoothly as it pertains to respecting the affected person’s wish. However, do not hesitate to involve an elder law attorney to best understand your options. You’ll need to consider power of attorney, both for finances and for healthcare. If the person has already lost capacity, you may need to apply for guardianship/conservatorship. Last but not least, their Personal Will if one is not in place already.

▪   How will care needs be met?

It is not uncommon that some family members assume that a spouse or nearest family member can take on the role of caregiver, but this assumption is not always the case or even possible. Caregiving is a rather a large commitment, and one that becomes greater over time. The person with Alzheimer’s and or advanced Dementia will eventually need round-the-clock personal care. Although family members are more than willing to take this challenge on, many family members may have their own health issues, jobs, and other roles & responsibilities. Communication is essential to ensure that the needs of the affected person are known & met, and that the caregiver has all the support in place to meet those needs.

▪   Where will the person live?

Knowing their wishes ahead of time will certainly ease the process in making this decision. Their own home will more than likely be their first wish. However, before concluding that home care is the final decision, consider a home assessment to determine the appropriateness of the home to meet their care needs. An assessment can be performed free of cost and determine the care needs and client’s challenges for today and moving forward. This way you will know if perhaps the home is fine for now, but difficult to access or make safe for later. On the other hand, the home could be fully suitable for their care… now and to meet future challenges. This is the type of information that will be invaluable to make informed decisions. If the person is currently living alone, for example, or far from any family, it may be necessary to relocate or consider care options that best suits their need, care, wishes… or a facility with more support.

Find out what assistance your medical team can provide in these areas. In some countries, you can also hire a care manager privately. Geriatric care managers can provide an initial assessment as well as assistance with managing your case, including crisis management, interviewing in-home help, or assisting with placement in an assisted living facility or nursing home.

Developing day-to-day routines

Having a daily routine in Alzheimer’s & Dementia care helps caregiving run smoothly. These routines won’t be set in stone, but they give a sense of consistency, which is beneficial to the Alzheimer’s patient even if they can’t communicate it.

While every family will have their own unique routine, you can get some great ideas from your medical team or Alzheimer’s support group, especially regarding establishing routines to handle the most challenging times of day, such as evenings.

  • Keep a sense of structure and familiarity. Try to keep consistent daily times for activities such as waking up, mealtimes, bathing, dressing, receiving visitors, and bedtime. Keeping these things at the same time and place can help orientate the person.
  • Let the person know what to expect even if you are not sure that he or she completely understands. You can use cues to establish the different times of day. For example, in the morning you can open the curtains to let sunlight in. In the evening, you can put on quiet music to indicate it’s bedtime.
  • Involve the person in daily activities as much as they are able. For example, a person may not be able to tie their shoes, but may be able to put clothes in the hamper. Clipping plants outside may not be safe, but the person may be able to weed, plant, or water. Use your best judgment as to what is safe and what the person can handle.

Communication tips

As your loved one’s Alzheimer’s progresses, you will notice changes in communication. Trouble finding words, increased hand gestures, easy confusion, even inappropriate outbursts are all normal. Here are some tips, do’s and don’ts on communicating:

Communication Do’s and Don’ts?
Do
Avoid becoming frustrated by empathizing and remembering the person can’t help their condition. Making the person feel safe rather than stressed will make communication easier. Take a short break if you feel your fuse getting short.
Keep communication short, simple and clear. Give one direction or ask one question at a time.
Tell the person who you are if there appears to be any doubt.
Call the person by name.    
Speak slowly. The person may take longer to process what’s being said.
Use closed-ended questions, which can be answered as “yes” or “no.” For example, ask, “Did you enjoy the beef at dinner?” instead of “What did you have for dinner?”
Find a different way to say the same thing if it wasn’t understood.Try a simpler statement with fewer words.
Use distraction or fibs if telling the whole truth will upset the person with dementia. For example, to answer the question, “Where is my mother?” it may be better to say, “She’s not here right now” instead of “She died 20 years ago.”
Use repetition as much as necessary. We prepared to say the same things over and over as the person can’t recall them for more than a few minutes at a time.
Use techniques to attract and maintain the person’s attention. Smile, and make eye contact, use gestures, touch, and other body language.
Don’t
Ever say things like: “Do you remember?” “Try to remember!” “Did you forget?” “How could you not know that?!”
Ask questions that challenge short-term memory, such as “Do you remember what we did last night?” The answer will likely be “no,” which may be humiliating for the person with dementia.
Talk in paragraphs. Instead, offer one idea at a time.
Point out the person’s memory difficulty. Avoid remarks such as “I just told you that.” Instead, just repeat it over and over.
Talk in front of the person as if he or she were not present. Always include the person in any conversation when they are physically present.
Use lots of pronouns such as “there, that, those, him, her, it.” Use nouns instead. For example, instead of “sit there” say “sit in the blue chair.”
Use slang or unfamiliar words. The person may not understand the latest terms or phrases.
Use patronizing language or “baby talk”. A person with dementia will feel angry or hurt at being talked down to.
Use sarcasm or irony, even if meant humorously. Again, it can cause hurt or confusion.

Planning activities and visitors

As you develop daily routines, it’s important to include activities and visitors into their life. You want to make sure that the Alzheimer’s patient is getting sensory experiences and socialization, but not to the point of getting over-stimulated and stressed. Here are some suggestions for activities:

  • Start with the person’s interests.
  • Ask family and friends for memories of interests the person used to have. You’ll want to tailor the interests to the current level of ability so the person doesn’t get frustrated.
  • Vary activities to stimulate different senses of sight, smell, hearing, and touch. For example, you can try singing songs, telling stories, movement such as dance, walking, or swimming, tactile activities such as painting, working with clay, gardening, or interacting with pets.
  • Planning time outdoors can be very therapeutic. You can go for a drive, visit a park, or take a short walk. Even sitting on a balcony or in the backyard can be relaxing.
  • Consider outside group activities designed for those with Alzheimer’s. Senior centers or community centers may host these types of activities. You can also look into adult day care programs, which are partial or full days at a facility catering to older adults and/or dementia patients.

Visitors and social events

Visitors can be a rich part of the day for a person with Alzheimer’s disease. It can also provide an opportunity for you as the caregiver to socialize or take a break. Plan visitors at a time of day when your loved one can best handle them. Brief visitors on communication tips if they are uncertain and suggest they bring memorabilia your loved one may like, such as a favorite old song or book. Family and social events may also be appropriate, as long as the Alzheimer’s patient is comfortable. Focus on events that won’t overwhelm the person; excessive activity or stimulation at the wrong time of day might be too much to handle.

Handling challenges in Alzheimer’s and dementia care

One of the painful parts of Alzheimer’s disease is watching your loved one, display behaviours you never would have thought possible. Alzheimer’s can cause substantial changes in how a person acts. This can range from the embarrassing, such as inappropriate outbursts, to wandering, hallucinations, and even violent behaviour. Everyday tasks like eating, bathing, and dressing can become major challenges.

As painful as some behaviours are, it’s critical not to blame yourself or try to handle all the changes in behaviour alone. As the challenging behaviour progresses, you may find yourself too embarrassed to go out, for example, or to seek respite care. Unfortunately, difficult behaviour is part and parcel of Alzheimer’s disease. Don’t isolate yourself. Ask for help from the medical team and reach out to caregiver groups for support. There are ways to modify or better accommodate problem behaviours. Both the environment you create at home and the way you communicate with your loved one can make a substantial difference.

Considering long-term Alzheimer’s and dementia care

It’s the nature of Alzheimer’s disease to progressively get worse as memory deteriorates. In the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, your loved one will likely need round-the-clock care. Thinking ahead to these possibilities can help make decisions easier.

Care at home

There are several options for extending care at home:

  • In-home help refers to caregivers that you can hire to provide assistance for your loved one. In-home help ranges from a few hours a week of assistance to live-in help, depending on your needs. You’ll want to evaluate what sort of tasks you’d like help with, how much you can afford to spend, and what hours you need. Getting help with basic tasks like housekeeping, shopping, or other errands can also help you provide more focused care for your loved one. Be sure to look for a service provider who has extensive Geriatric Care experience.
  • Day programs, also called adult day care, are programs that typically operate weekdays and offer a variety of activities and socialization opportunities. They also provide the chance for you as the caregiver to continue working or attend to other needs. There are some programs that specialize in dementia care. Alternatively, you can hire a caregiver for the days you need it for without any time commitment. This may alleviate some stress on the part of the patient, as they do not have to leave their familiar surroundings.
  • Respite care. Respite care is short-term care where your loved one stays in a facility temporarily. This gives you a block of time to rest, travel, or attend to other things. Of course, you can hire a caregiver for the block of time desired. This may alleviate some stress on the part of the patient, as they do not have to leave their familiar surroundings.

Is it time to move?

As Alzheimer’s progresses, the physical and mental demands on you as caregiver can gradually become overwhelming. Each day can bring new additional challenges. The patient may require total assistance with physical tasks like bathing, dressing, and toileting, as well as greater overall supervision. At some point, you won’t be able to leave your loved one alone. Nighttime behaviours may not allow you to sleep, and with some patients, belligerent or aggressive behaviours may exceed your ability to cope or feel safe. Every situation is different. Sometimes, you can bridge the gap by bringing in additional assistance, such as in-home help or other family members to share the caregiving burden. However, it is not a sign of weakness if moving to your loved one to a facility seems like the best plan of care. It’s never an easy decision to make, but when you’re overwhelmed by stress and fatigue, it’s difficult to maintain your caregiving standards. If the person with Alzheimer’s is living alone, or you as the primary caregiver have health problems, this option may need to be considered sooner rather than later.

When considering your caregiving options, it’s important to consider whether you are able to balance your other obligations, either financial or to other family members. Will you be able to afford appropriate in-home coverage if you can’t continue caregiving? Talk to your loved one’s medical care team for their perspective as well.

Evaluating an assisted living facility or nursing home

If the best choice is to move the Alzheimer’s patient to a facility, it doesn’t mean you will no longer be involved in their care. You can still visit regularly and ensure your loved one gets the care he or she needs. Even if you are not yet ready to make that step, doing some initial legwork might save a lot of heartache in the case of a crisis where you have to move quickly. The first step is finding the right place for your loved one.

Choosing a facility

There are two main types of facilities that you will most likely have to evaluate for a loved one with Alzheimer’s: an assisted living facility or a nursing home.

Assisted Living

Assisted living is an option for those who need help with some activities of daily living. Some facilities provide minor help with medications as well. Staff are available twenty-four hours a day, but you will want to make sure they have experience handling residents with Alzheimer’s disease. Also be clear about what stage your loved one is at, as he / she may need to move to a higher level of care.

Nursing Home

Nursing homes provide assistance in both activities of daily living and a high level of medical care. A licensed physician supervises each resident’s care and a nurse or other medical professional is almost always on the premises. Skilled nursing care providers and medical professionals such as occupational or physical therapists are also available.

How do I choose a facility?

Once you’ve determined the appropriate level of care, you’ll want to visit the facility announced and unannounced—to meet with the staff and otherwise evaluate the home. You will also want to evaluate the facility based on their experience with Alzheimer’s residents. Facilities that cater specifically for Alzheimer’s patients should have a designated area, for residents with dementia.

Questions to ask such a facility include:

  • Policy and procedures – Does the unit mix Alzheimer’s patients with those with mental illness, which can be dangerous? Does the program require the family to supply a detailed social history of the resident (a good sign)?
  • Environment – Is the unit clean? Is the dining area large enough for all residents to use it comfortably? Are the doors alarmed or on a delayed opening system to prevent wandering? Is the unit too noisy?
  • Staffing – What is the ratio of residents to staff? (5 to 1 during the day, 9 to 1 at night is normal). What is staff turnover like? How do they handle meals and ensure adequate hydration, since the person can often forget to eat or drink? How do they assess unexpressed pain—if the Alzheimer’s resident has pain but cannot communicate it?
  • Staff training – What training for Alzheimer’s care do they have? Does the facility provide staff with monthly in-service training on Alzheimer’s care?
  • Activities – Is there an activity plan for each resident based on the person’s interests and remaining cognitive strengths? Are residents escorted outside on a daily basis? Are regular outings planned for residents?
  • Services – Does the unit provide hospice services? What were the findings in the most recent Ministry conducted inspection? What are the rates of infectious outbreaks? What is the resident rate of injury incidences?

What to expect during a transition

Moving is a big adjustment both for the person with Alzheimer’s and you as their caregiver. Your loved one is moving to a new home environment with new faces and places. You are adjusting from being the person providing hands-on care to being an advocate. Remember to give yourself and the Alzheimer’s patient time to adjust. If you’re expecting to move, try to have essentials packed and ready to go, and as many administrative details taken care of as possible, as sometimes beds can come up quickly. Work closely with staff regarding your loved one’s needs and preferences. An extra familiar face during moving day, such as another relative or close friend, can also help.

Each person adjusts differently to this transition. Depending on your loved one’s needs, you may either need to visit more frequently or give your loved one their own space to adjust. As the adjustment period eases, you can settle into the visiting pattern that is best for both of you.

Please contact us today, to discuss any challenges you may be facing and how our services can help you remain independent, protected, safe, and in you home / community.

You got questions, we have answers: (905) 785-2341 or email us at 

 

Senior Care: Skin Integrity

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Skin1The importance of skin integrity as we age.

Lets talk about our largest body organ… our skin. As we age, the skin, like every other organ in our body, begins to decline. While we don’t have any way to reverse this aging process there are things that we can do to boost it’s functioning and help prevent skin integrity issues, a major complication in many seniors. 

What does our skin do for us?
• Helps maintain proper body temperature
• Wards off infections
• Waterproof barrier that keeps moisture in and moisture out
• Provides sensory information about our environment and injury

As the body ages, the layer of fat under the skin starts to disappear as well as the blood vessels feeding the skin with lots of oxygen. As a result the skin becomes looser, unable to insulate us well, and thinner. The most visible evidence of this is wrinkling and sagging of the skin. As our skin becomes thinner, it becomes vulnerable to tears and pressure sores. Open skin is an invitation to infection and discomfort.

Our climate, particularly in the cold and wintery weather our skin, the largest system of the body- becomes tight and dry. Our skin has less elasticity and become flaky as we age, it makes it easier for it to crack and tear. Aging skin does not regenerate new cells at the same rate as it did when we were young therefore the elasticity and turgor of our skin also decreases.  In addition, healing takes place at a much slower pace.

In the dry winter season the elderly skin is more at risk for cracks especially on their hands and feet; for the skin is much thinner in these areas. When the skin barrier is broken, the risk for infection sets in. In the elderly, these are serious cause for concern as their immune systems may be compromised.

One of the most common problems for the elderly is dry skin. Many elderly suffer from fragile skin, itchiness, and crackling. Others may need medical treatment for conditions such as Bed sores (ulcers), Dermatitis, Scleroderma and skin infections. Giving proper and consistent care can help prevent these problems associated with aging skin. Below are some helpful hints to help with the care and maintenance of skin care with our seniors.

Other skin integrity risk factors:

  • Diabetes – it is under-diagnosed and under-treated, so make sure you are checking for it regularly with your health care provider. Diabetes causes decreased blood flow to the skin and extremities, encouraging the formation of wounds where there may be pressure points. To make matters worse, it makes the body less efficient in healing wounds, once they have developed.
  • Immobility—Any condition that requires someone to be in bed or confined to a wheelchair for long periods of every day will increase the need to be especially vigilant for skin problems. Daily skin checks for tears and sores are essential. Also, making sure that skin is kept clean and dry is essential. If moisture
    is a problem, check with your health care provider about the use of barrier creams.
  • Hip fracture—In otherwise health and active people, hip fractures can cause long periods of immobility during the healing and rehabilitation process. This immobility can increase chances of developing a bed sores.
  • Dementia—Dementia can contribute to problems with overall skin integrity due to nutritional factors. Not remembering to eat or prepare balanced meals can cause a drop in weight and nutrients essential to the maintenance of the skin. Additionally, inadequate nutrition can contribute to a higher incidence of falls (weakness from low blood sugar and not enough calories), which can open the skin and lead to infection.
  • Rapid weight loss— The lack of ‘padding’, coupled with the underlying cause for weight loss, i.e. poor nutrition or disease, can be problematic for skin integrity.
  • Cancer— During treatment, immunity is compromised, appetite may decline, and chemotherapy can directly affect the condition of the skin. Special care should be taken to avoid a skin tear and to try to make sure that food and liquid intake is maintained as much as can be tolerated.
  • Smoking or history of smoking—Decreases blood supply to the skin.
  • Neurological damage—This can decrease ability to sense discomfort at pressure points that would otherwise prompt one to shift positions.

What you can do NOW?
Nutrition is one of the best defenses against skin break-down. No matter what your current health status, making an appointment with a dietician is a great way to make sure you are getting the adequate nutrition you need to provide your skin the opportunity to keep working for you, not against you.

Nutritional factors that can help maintain skin integrity:

  • Stay hydrated
  • Eat a balance diet that includes protein
  • Include healthy fats in your diet
  • Make sure you are getting enough Vitamin A, C, E, K and minerals zinc, iron and copper
  • Shower or bathe using warm water as needed. Hot water and frequent bathing increases dry skin and possible skin irritation.
  • Use mild soaps without perfumes or added dyes.
  • Apply gentle, non-greasy lotion all over body after a shower or bath.
  • Use humidifier in the dry, wintery months.
  • Use UV protection, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends SPF 15 or higher.
  • Wear hats and light clothing that covers skin exposed to the sun for long periods in the warm weather.
  • Checking the skin routinely for changes, and taking steps to report these changes.
  • Good foot skin care is crucial especially if you are a diabetic. Dry skin can cause the skin to crack and lead to infection, which can cause serious problems for diabetics.
  • Turning and repositioning of the bedridden client at a minimum of every 2 hours to prevent pressure over the bony areas of the body.

While there is no cure for what age does to our skin, there are things that we can do to keep it in the best possible condition to help protect us when we are our most vulnerable.

Finally, it is often said, “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.” This means that if we can prevent it, it is much better and easier than trying to cure it. For those of us who have the honour and the responsibility of taking care of our seniors let us be diligent about managing and maintaining those who have been placed in our trust. Skin care and skin integrity is important to their livelihood so to that end let us continue to work to prevent the breakdown of the skin, protect the skin and provide the tools that are necessary to maintain good skin care.

If you or your loved one is finding any skin texture changes, or experiencing any other skin conditions… consult your doctor for intervention and a care plan. Alternatively you may also contact us for a consultation and a care plan to mitigate some related causes. It does not cost to receive the appropriate information, so you can make educated decisions.