 Leaky water works - Incontinence There are many myths about incontinence, which are not necessarily true. For instance many people believe incontinence is an inevitable consequence of ageing or if you drink less it will improve the problem. Neither of these beliefs is helpful. Some facts about our Water Works:
There are two types of incontinence – Stress and Urgency. Stress incontinence With stress incontinence there may be leaking when coughing, sneezing, jumping, lifting, pushing, laughing and pulling. This is caused by weak pelvic floor and urethra sphincter muscles. The trick is to strengthen your pelvic floor and urethral sphincter muscles and tighten your pelvic floor muscles before stressful activity occurs. Urgency incontinence Urgency incontinence is the sudden need to go, for example, when opening the front door you generally get the urge. It’s caused by an overactive bladder, which has been trained to empty before it’s full. Typically small amounts of urine are passed more frequently -10 plus times a day. Preventing or fixing incontinence
For both types of incontinence strengthening your pelvic floor and urethra sphincter are important. To do this:
Once you’ve mastered the pelvic floor exercises, practice regularly eg every time you stop at red lights. Tips for managing and training urgency incontinence When you experience the sudden urgency to pass urine, it is often associated with a feeling of panic. The following may help:
If desperate:
If you are still struggling there is help:
You don’t have to suffer alone - contact us we can help Ph: 03 3775280 Email: admin@tpl.nz Web: www.therapyprofessional.co.nz Reference: Women’s Waterworks – Curing Incontinence by Pauline E Chiarelli  Teaching Shaving Skills Shaving is a major part of growing up and for a boy, it signals the transition from childhood into manhood. Shaving is a complex task, which requires consideration of safety and sensory challenges. How can you make this easier? Get him used to the idea he will be shaving his face one day by:
We would recommend using an electric razor to start with, as they can be easier and safer to use. However, for some, the noise or vibration may be too much and a razor blade may more successful. Like all skills, there are a large number of smaller skills or activities used when shaving eg with an electric razor.
To assist teaching, take photos of each of these steps:
If it is not possible, try and locate pictures from the internet showing the shaving steps. Put the photos or simple pictures in the correct sequence with simple words describing the activity. Use this schedule as a prompt while teaching. Initially you may have to use verbal and physical prompts along with the schedule. If you are experiencing any problems with the development of these skills our Occupational Therapist may be able to help. Just contact us at Therapy Professionals Phone: 03 3775280 Email: admin@tpl.nz Web: therapyprofessionals.co.nz https://www.carautismroadmap.org/shaving-for-young-men/   About Dietitians Dietitians help you to improve your health, wellbeing and prevent illness through good nutrition. They can translate scientific information about nutrition into practical dietary advice and tailor an eating plan based on your individual factors (age, medical history etc). Dietitians can help with a range of health problems and chronic diseases such as:
They will recommend practical solutions for:
Dietitians are able to prescribe:
What's the difference between a Dietitian and Nutritionist? Dietitians are health professionals registered under theHealth Practitioners Competence Assurance act 2003 and meet standards required by the NZ Dietitians Board. Dietitianshave a science degree in human nutrition as well as a postgraduate Diploma or Masters in Dietetics. By law, a Dietitian must hold a NZ current practicing certificate, participate in a continuing competency programme and adhere to a code of ethics. Nutritionists: The term nutritionist is not protected and can therefore be used by anyone regardless of qualifications. Nutritionists who meet set criteria are able to become registered Nutritionists with the Nutrition Society of New Zealand. Therapy Professionals has a Dietetic service, so if you need help you just call us we come to you. Therapy Professionals Ltd Phone No: (03) 377 5280 Email: admin@tpl.nz Website: www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz Skin injuries caused by pressure For those of us caring for people who barely move or rely on others to move them, it is important to know how to best look after their skin. Pressure injuries, otherwise known as pressure areas, ulcers or bedsores, are among the negative effects of immobility. What is a pressure injury? A pressure injury is damage to an area of skin, usually around a bony part of the body, which has been under pressure for some time. The pressure stops the blood flow feeding the skin in the area and if the pressure is not removed the skin will break down and eventually become an ulcer. Friction from chaffing, or rubbing over these bony areas can also cause sores and ulcers. What areas are prone to pressure injuries? The diagrams below indicate where most pressure injuries generally occur, however people with unusual posture may develop them elsewhere.  Who is likely to develop pressure?
Anyone who is immobile or can’t feel any sensations are at serious risk, especially those who:
How will I know someone is developing a pressure injury? The skin area around a bony part of the body may:
How can I prevent pressure injuries? A pressure injury is serious, can take a long time to heal, and many are preventable. We can help prevent pressure injuries by relieving direct pressure on the bony areas, taking good care of the skin and having a healthy diet and adequate fluids. Here are a few tips: Avoid direct pressure
Skincare
Diet
What should I do if you think a pressure injury is developing? Immediately reposition the person to completely take all pressure off the affected area and follow all the prevention tips above. Seek help from:
How can Therapy Professional’s Therapists can help? Our therapists can help with:
Dietitians: advise on:
Occupational Therapists: advise on:
Physiotherapists: advise on:
If you require education on prevention and management of pressure injuries, our friendly Physio and Occupational Therapists and Dietitians can help, just contact us at Therapy Professionals. Ph: 03 377 5280 Email: admin@tpl.nz Website: therapyprofessionals.co.nz Getting yourself up from the floor Currently, one in seven New Zealanders are 65 years and over. Around 30% to 60% of people in this age group have a fall each year. And 10% to 20% will end up in hospital with a fracture. Those over the age of 85 are 15 times more likely to fracture their hip in a fall than a 65-year-old. Hip fractures can have a huge impact, with 30% of those over 85 who suffer one, requiring placement in aged residential care. It’s important for those of us who are ageing and those around you, to know how to get up off the floor if you are not badly injured. The majority of calls to London ambulances from over 65 year olds are for help after a fall. Of these, 40% do not need hospitalisation – they simply cannot get up from the floor. Many carers hurt themselves, and the person they are trying to get up off the floor, because of lack of knowledge. To avoid further injury, here are some tips on how to get yourself or help someone up from the floor:  Our friendly Physiotherapists recommend all older people, their families and carers practise getting up from the floor regularly, before you need to do so, after a fall.
If you want advice on falls prevention our friendly Physiotherapists can help, just contact us here at .Therapy Professionals Ph: 03 377 5280 Email: admin@tpl.nz Website: www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz  Making Sense of our Senses To understand our environment we receive information through our senses, our brains process the information, and respond, helping us do our everyday activities. Most of us are familiar with the five senses – sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. However, there are two other senses we use:
We all experience sensation in our own unique way, some of us may overreact while others underreact to sensory input. Someone may find a certain smell nauseating while others don’t even notice it or they may find a fabric irritating on their skin while others don’t. People who overreact to sensory input will tend to avoid the sensory experiences. A person who underreacts will often seeksensory experiences, eg loud music or rollercoster rides. Children with autism or learning disabilities often have issues receiving, processing or appropriately responding to one or more of their senses, making it hard to function in everyday life. Our ability to use this information matures over childhood in an orderly and predictable manner. There may be some variation in the speed with which children acquire each milestone. If milestones are not reached there may be implications for the child’s health, wellbeing, learning and understanding of the world around them. The chart below has some developmental milestones and the behaviours, which may result if the milestones are not acquired. If you have a child who has not yet mastered the milestone at their current age, contact our friendly Occupational Therapists.  Chart designed by Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority.
This chart was designed to serve as a functional screening of developmental skills per age group. It does not constitute an assessment nor reflect strictly standardised research. If a child is found to have trouble with sensory input there are things we can do to help, just contact us: Phone: 03 3774280 or email: admin@tpl.nz Oral Care For those without teeth or are tube fed  Many people mistakenly think because they, or the people they are caring for, have no teeth or are fed via tube, there is no need to clean their mouths. This is simply not true.
Oral and dental diseases can be a contributing factor to pneumonia as the levels of bacteria in the mouth and saliva are increased. If saliva or food/fluid contains these bacteria and enters the lungs (aspiration), it can increase the risk and severity of chest infections. If oral care is not maintained oral and dental disease is more likely and so are chest infections, including pneumonia. Is oral care for everyone? Yes. Each individual should have a plan for oral care including anyone without teeth and even those who do not eat/drink orally (ie are tube fed). Why is oral care important?
How often?
Equipment that can assist with oral care:
How to do oral care/tips: Sometimes it can be hard to remember to do oral cares.
If you are having any trouble implementing oral care, please don’t hesitate to seek help either from an oral hygienist, dentist or our friendly Speech Language Therapists. For advice especially for those with disabilities talk to our friendly Speech Language Therapists who are experienced with disabilities. Just contact us at Therapy Professionals Phone: 03 3775280 Email: admin@tpl.nz Website: www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz Beat morning stiffness If you have arthritis you will probably find it difficult to get moving in the mornings. You’re not alone. Early morning stiffness in the joints is common for people with Arthritis. It pays to wake your joints and muscles up slowly before you rise in the morning. Our friendly Physiotherapists suggest you try this daily routine before getting up in the morning Do each of these exercises 6 times in this order. While still in bed: 1. Wiggle our feet up and down vigorously. 2. Bend your legs up and down, one at a time  3. With both sides bent, rock gently from side to side. 4. Stretch both arms above your head (if necessary help weaker arm with stronger one)  5. Lie on your back with knees bent, lift your bottom off the bed  While sitting on the edge of the bed: 6. Straighten each leg one at a time. 7. Tuck chin in gently turn your head to look over your right shoulder. Repeat on your other side.  Get onto your feet, PAUSE, and get your balance before continuing with your day.
These exercises will help your joints and muscles ease into the day. Take it easy when you change from lying to sitting or sitting to standing as you may experience dizziness which can result from rapid changes of position – lying to standing or sitting to standing. Make a point of moving regularly during the day and even better join one of our Arthritis exercise classes. To find out where they are contact our office.. If you wish to have some additional advice on managing your Arthritis our friendly Physio’s can help. Just contact us: Ph: 03 3775280 Email: admin@tpl.nz Compiled for you by our friendly physio’s. Therapy Professionals Ltd, PO Box 7807, Christchurch 8240 Phone: (03) 377 5280 Fax: (03) 377 5281 Email: admin@tpl.nz Website: www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz  Seating Advice for Residential Care The frail elderly and disabled in care spend much of their day sitting, often in unsuitable chairs, which restrict their mobility and cause them to adopt slumped postures. Correct seating allows clients to:
When a resident has difficulty rising from an armchair, consider the seat height, depth, width, slope and firmness, and the armrest height. When choosing an armchair for your residents consider these things: a) Height: For comfort and ease of getting out of the chair:
b) Width: There needs to be a space of 2-3 fingers either side of the body to allow wriggle room and to keep the armrests comfortable. c) Depth: The depth needs to ensure a good upright posture and for ease
d) Back rest: needs to:
e) Arm rests: need to:
f) The chair surface needs to:
 Residents come in all shapes and sizes, we recommend Residential Providers
Choosing wheeled chairs For staff safety when choosing wheeled chairs, ensure the wheels are larger enough to push easily on all floor surfaces while allowing the ambulant person’s feet to rest on the floor so they can stand easily. If your current wheeled chairs are hard for staff to push, see if you can get larger castors or wheels, or check that fluff is not restricting the wheels.. Couches We don’t recommend couches as they are harder to get out of and harder to assist someone to stand. If you need any advice on purchasing suitable chairs our friendly physios and occupational therapists can help, contact us as follows: Ph: 03377 5280 Email: admin@tpl.nz Website: www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz  Osteoporosis and Diet Therapy Professionals Ltd’s Dietitian reports on Osteoporosis and Diet Bone is a living tissue that is continually remodelled and rebuilt throughout a person’s life. Calcium deposits make bones strong. Eating a balanced diet that includes calcium rich foods is important in maintenance of bone strength. As the body grows, bones become stronger, peaking in mass at about age 30. After this, bones lose calcium as part of natural ageing both in women and men. Oestrogen helps to keep calcium in bones, so when levels drop at menopause, women lose calcium from bones more rapidly than men do. Things that reduce bone strength: Smoking Among the many health benefits of stopping smoking, this will improve absorption of many nutrients from the diet, including calcium. Alcohol Four or more alcoholic drinks a day can reduce calcium uptake by the bones despite dietary intake. Weight Being overweight may add stress to bones, however generally leads to a decrease in mobility and weight bearing exercises. Research shows being underweight or having a slight frame also can increase the risk of osteoporosis.  How to keep my bones strong? Exercise Regular weight bearing exercise where some strain is placed on the bones builds up bones in young people, and slows down loss of bone density in older people. Weight bearing exercise requires your muscles to move against gravity eg walking, jogging and playing sports (swimming, cycling and rowing are not weight bearing activities).  Sunshine Vitamin D is needed for calcium to be deposited into bones. Sunshine (ultraviolet light) is needed for the body to produce its own Vitamin D. If exposure to sunshine is limited during aNZ winter especially in the south island, food sources of Vitamin D are important. These include fish oils, sardines, tuna, eggs, butter and margarine and liver. Healthy diet A diet rich in calcium and a variety of foods from the four food groups - fruit and vegetables, breads and cereals, meat or meat alternatives, and milk and dairy products ensure good general health. How do I achieve a healthy calcium intake Adult men and premenopausal women need 800mg of calcium per day. Adult men and premenopausal women need 1000mg of calcium per day. Post menopausal women (over 51 years) and men over 70 years 1300mg per day. The table below shows how to achieve a healthy calcium intake.  Dietary Supplements
The preferred source of calcium is from food and the preferred sources of Vitamin D are sunlight and food. Food also contains other important nutrients such as phosphorus, zinc and magnesium, protein and other vitamins. Vitamin D If you are unable to get outside regularly you may need a Vitamin D supplement. Calcium If you don’t like, or can’t eat calcium rich foods, calcium supplements may be necessary. Discuss with your doctor whether dietary supplements are necessary, and which type is best for you. Therapy Professionals Ltd has dietitians available who are able to provide information to groups or individuals on many aspects of nutrition. Just contact us Phone: 03 3775280 Email: admin@tpl.nz References Arthritis Foundation of NZ and DAB ‘Your Bones, Your Future’ Arthritis Foundation of NZ and DAB ‘Look after dem bones’ Mann, J, Trusswell S, ‘Essentials of Human Nutrition’ |
AuthorShonagh O'Hagan Archives |
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