Choosing a Comfy Armchair
 
Ageing bodies change shape and our favourite seats may not be suitable anymore.  Believe it or not, having the right armchair may make the difference between staying independent or not!
 
If you find it hard to get out of a chair once in it, you're less inclined to get out of it, until you have to. Getting in and out of chairs helps keep our legs strong, assists us to keep our sense of balance and encourages exercise, which is good for most of our bodily functions.
 
 
When choosing an armchair consider these things:
 
a)  Height:      
For comfort and ease of getting out of the chair:

• allow a 90° angle at the hip, between the thigh and body
• feet need to rest comfortably on the floor
• have enough heel space under the chair for standing.

 
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 are comfortable.
 
c) Depth:                  
The depth needs to ensure a good upright posture and for ease of getting out of.  The:

• user’s bottom needs to be at the back of the chair while feet still on the ground
• seat edge needs to slope down slightly
• space between chair and back of the knees needs to be a 2-3 fingers space to avoid pressure behind the legs

 
d) Backrest:  Needs to:

• support the lower spine, neck and head
• be wide enough to support shoulders
• lean back only slightly

 
e) Armrests:  Need to:

• support the forearms and hands without raising the shoulders
• allow a 90°angle at the elbow, between the forearm and upper arm
• be firm enough to help with standing

 
f)  The chair surface:  Needs to:

• be comfortably firm, for ease of getting out
• easily cleaned
• a fabric that won’t cause sweating

 
 
It’s important to have the main user sit in the chairs for some time and get out of it a number of times before deciding which to purchase.
 
If you need any advice on purchasing a suitable chair our friendly physios and occupational therapists can help, contact us as follows:
 
                                                   Ph:                  03 377 5280    
                                                   Email:             [email protected]
                                                   Website:         www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz

Hearing Loss Causes Communication Breakdown
 
At any age hearing loss negatively effects communication. During early childhood hearing loss, if not picked up, can delay children’s speech and language development significantly.  Often poor speech clarity or language development is the first thing parents will notice. However if parents and others around young children can watch for the following milestones they may pick up a hearing problem early and be able to act quickly.
 
Expected Milestones for babies
 
3 months

• recognise their carer’s voice and makes cooing noises. 
• startle at sudden, loud noises 

 
 6 months

• recognise speech sounds and familiar noises. 
• turn their head towards interesting noises,
• play with their own voice and laugh. 
• use their voice to indicate pleasure and discomfort.

 
 9 months

• may understand simple words like ”mummy' and ”daddy', ”no', ”bye-bye' and their own name.

 
12 months

• toddlers can speak one or more real, recognisable words.

 
18 months

•  retrieve familiar objects on command 
•  speak between 20 to 50 words 
•  uses short and understand simple phrases 
•  learn new words each week.

 
24 months

• spoken vocabulary should be 200 to 300 words 
• simple sentences can be spoken. 
• adults who are not around the child on a daily basis can understand your child's speech. 
• able to sit and listen while being read books.

 
If you notice any of these milestones are not being met see your doctor and get your child’s ears tested.
 
In older children it is more difficult to identify hearing loss because their speech skills are already developed.
 
Nevertheless, these guidelines may help detect a possible hearing loss.  The child:

• has a history of ear infections or glue ear
• seems to hear sometimes and not at other times
• wants the TV, Radio, or music volume louder than others around them
• says "What?" constantly
• moves one ear forward to listen, or complains they can only hear out of one ear
• falls behind at school or their teacher notes they don’t seem to hear or respond as well as their classmates.
• states they ‘can't hear you’. There is a danger in assuming the children are not paying attention.
• appears not to be paying attention
• has unclear speech which lacks the higher frequency sounds such as ‘s’, ‘z’
• starts to speak more loudly than previously
• looks at you intensely when you speak to them

 
You just have a feeling, but you can't put your finger on what your concern is.  Don't let that stop you.  Ask your doctor for a referral to ease your mind.
 
Hearing loss can occur throughout adulthood with one in two adults over 65 years experiencing hearing loss, particularly with higher pitched sounds.  Hearing loss causes frustration and communication problems regardless of age.
 
If you think someone is deaf around you ensure they get their hearing checked regularly, there is likely to be a solution to either solve or reduce the impact of their hearing loss.
 
Some guidelines on speaking to someone who’s deaf

• Get their attention first
• Face the person you are speaking to
• Speak at a normal rate, pausing at the end of each sentence.
• Speak clearly, do NOT shout
• Reduce distractions and background noise
• Wait for a reply – it may take time

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        Therapy Professionals Ltd 
        Phone No:   (03) 377 5280
        Email:            [email protected]
        Website:      www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz

Do you have a Dry or Burning Mouth?
 
A dry mouth happens because you’re not producing enough saliva and it can cause bad breath, a dry throat and cracked lips.

Saliva is important for your digestion, protecting your mouth and teeth from decay and gum disease.
 
In itself, it’s not a serious condition, however can be a symptom of another health condition, so tell your doctor. What causes dry mouth?

• dehydration
• diabetes
• stress and anxiety
• smoking tobacco and marijuana
• mouth breathing
• some medications (discuss this with your Doctor)
• radiation therapy  of head or neck
• some autoimmune disorders
• botulism poisoning
• ageing

 
If you have a dry or burning mouth, firstly make sure you are drinking enough fluids  -
6-8 cups a day is recommended.  If you are drinking enough try the following:

• sip water from a bottle continually or suck on ice cubes
• oil emulsion sprays, their effects last longer than water - they can be found online, however, many taste bad.  Make your own – see recipe below.
• sugar free or denture friendly chewing gum
• discuss with your Doctor or Dentist the use of specialty toothpaste and gel 
• hourly baking soda mouthwash (commercial mouthwashes are alcohol based so dry your mouth out) – see recipe below
• clean your teeth before meals
• avoid alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. 
• limit salt and sugar intake

 
If, after trying these things, you still have a dry mouth ask your Doctor or Dentist.
 
Oil emulsion recipe
 
Make up your own with grape seed or coconut oil.  Use one tablespoon of oil to one tablespoon of water and swish around in your mouth. 
 

Baking soda mouthwash recipe

1. Cup (250 ml) warm tap water.
2. Add 1/4 teaspoon baking soda to cup of water and 1/8 teaspoon of salt
3. Stir until the baking soda and salt until dissolved.
4. Pour the mouthwash into a clean bottle and close the lid.

 
This mouthwash can be used for up to 24 hours, then discard.
 
Swish the mixture around your mouth for about 30 seconds, then rinse your mouth with water.
 
This is also a good mouthwash to use if you have sore gums, or other mouth injuries, since baking soda and salt have both been proven to speed healing.
 
For more advice our friendly Dietitian can help.
 
Just contact us at Therapy Professionals Ltd 
 
       Phone:             03 3775280
       Email:               [email protected]
       Website:          therapyprofessionals.co.nz

To Exercise or Not to Exercise?   
That is the question
 
Here are a few tips to help you decide.

You have got a fever:

• Stay home and rest so the body’s immune system is battling an infection – it doesn’t need the stress from exercise.

 
You’ve got a cold

• You might feel miserable however you don’t have to rule out exercise. Moderate intensity exercise is okay and doesn’t seem to make you sicker.  Just take it easier.

 
You’ve got the flu

• Head for the sofa, do not exercise.  With flu comes a fever so heed the rule not to exercise with a fever. 

 
You’ve had a recent asthma flare up or chest infection

• If the asthma is back under control – start exercising again gently.
• Skip exercise if you have a chest infection (the fever rule), then start again gently.

 
You’ve had a bad night and feel too tired

• Get up and get moving!  It can boost your energy and help improve sleep.  
• Constant fatigue can be a sign of illness so see your doctor.

 
Your muscles are sore

• Keep up the exercise – listen to your body and keep it gentle.

 
You’ve had a rough week

• Exercise can help reduce stress and boost energy. Start with a gentle walk or exercise – and do more if you feel like it.

 
Don’t rush your comeback

• If you have not exercised for some time, do exercise, but start gently and ease back into it (it takes a lot of energy to keep up muscle strength and fitness and very little time to lose it).

 
 
If you need any advice on what’s the best sort of exercise for you we can help.
Just contact us on
 
Ph:      (03) 377 5280                         Email:           [email protected]

‘Young at heart, slightly older in other places’– eating and drinking problems and ageing.
 
Swallowing difficulties (Dysphagia) are a common consequence of many health conditions, and head and neck surgeries, however swallowing difficulties can also be associated with ageing.  Estimates suggest up to 20% of all adults over 50 may be affected. 


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Changes might include such things as reduction in muscle strength for chewing, taste and smell, dental issues, dry mouth or throat, or recurrent illness such as pneumonia.
 
These changes may result in poor nutrition/hydration, unintended weight loss, avoidance of eating in public, loss of enjoyment in previously enjoyed food, and/or a risk of food/fluid entering the lungs (aspiration) leading to pneumonia and chronic lung disease.

What might you notice?

• Difficulty or reluctance swallowing food or fluid 
• Regularly coughing during or after eating or drinking 
• Regularly choking on food, fluid or medication 
• Persistent drooling of saliva
• The sensation of food being stuck in the throat or chest.
• Bringing food back up through the mouth or nose
• Gurgly voice after eating and/or drinking
• Recurrent chest infections or pneumonia
• Difficulty chewing tough or stringy foods such as meat
• Taking longer than 20-30 minutes to eat a meal

Suggestions to help:

• Eat when you are feeling comfortable and relaxed. 
• Reduce distractions and keep conversation to between mouthfuls of food.
• Have smaller meals or snacks more frequently throughout the day instead of three larger meals.
• Chop or grate harder textured foods, and/or add sauces and gravies to keep food moist and easy to swallow.
• Take your time to eat
• Make sure you have swallowed everything in your mouth before taking another bite or sip.
• Drink a glass of water after eating to wash down any residual food.
• Remain upright for at least 30 minutes after eating and drinking. 
• Ensure dentures fit well. Use of a denture paste may assist.

​

Who can you talk to?

• General Practitioner: for medical assessment and advice.
• Pharmacist: about difficulties swallowing medications.
• Dentist: to check dentures for fit and function. 
• Dietitian: to get advice to improve and maintain nutrition and hydration. 
• Speech Language Therapist: for assessment and treatment of swallowing difficulties

For further information or advice please contact Therapy Professionals Ltd as follows:

            Phone                         (03) 3775280,
            Email:                          [email protected]
            Website:                     http://www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz
 
Our Dietitian or Speech Language Therapist will be happy to help. 

The Magic Power of Diaphragmatic Breathing
 
 
Breathing happens automatically like other bodily functions, such as:

• digestion
• metabolic process affecting your weight
• body temperature
• blood pressure

 
These functions are controlled by our autonomic nervous system, which has two parts. The sympathetic system, which usually gets these functions going and the parasympathetic system, which stops them from happening.  The sympathetic controls our fight-or-flight response, while the parasympathetic is in charge of everyday processes.
 
Even though these functions are automatic, we can help regulate our automatic nervous system, with diaphragmatic breathing. This has many benefits — your heart rate and blood pressure can be reduced, helping you to relax. This all helps decrease the amount of stress hormone, cortisol, released into your body. 
  
 
Diaphragmatic or tummy breathing also helps:

• us manage the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder
• reduce stress and improves wellbeing
• improve our tolerance to intensive exercises 
• lowers our chances of injury and wear and tear on our muscles 
• improve our immune system
• improve our sleep
• increase our energy 

 
Many of us breathe only using our upper chest cavity and when we are asked to breathe deeply we pull our shoulders up and expand the upper part of our chests.  Breathing in this way does not make use of the lower capacity of the lungs.
 
Diaphragmatic or deep tummy breathing is named after the diaphragm muscle. This muscle pulls air down into the lungs (like bellows) and as it relaxes, it rises up and forces air out of the lungs.

Disability - A Family Burden
 
We hear stories of families who never get a day off, elderly parents who are still looking after their disabled adult children, and children with less obvious disabilities not receiving any support. 

Often families with disabled members feel isolated, alone and are unaware of the help they can receive. This is especially true for those with the least obvious disabilities.  Compounding the problem health professionals are often unaware of the range of help available or assume families are linked into the services they require.

​The trouble is the system for receiving government-funded supports is across a number of government ministries – Health, Education, and Welfare.  These systems are hard to navigate, especially for stressed families and they don’t dovetail together easily.  Also in the past 30 years government funded disability support services have focused on providing for a small group with the highest needs. 
 
No one would deny this group needs support, however this has left a large group who have been forgotten, many of whom would have benefited greatly from some assistance early in life, making them more independent and improving the quality of family life.
 
There is help.   If your child has not been in contact with the CDHB services, the best place to start is the Needs Assessment and Coordination service (NASC), a Ministry of Health (MOH) funded service. You can refer yourself or a family member without having to go to a doctor.  This will give you access to a number of MOH funded and community services. 
 
The Ministry of Social Development has a range of benefits you may be able to access for yourself or a disabled family member.  The Ministry of Education Special Education Services can be accessed for those at school. 

For your school aged child with special needs, it’s important to investigate the Ongoing Resources Scheme (ORS) and High Medical Needs Ministry of Education Funds as early as possible in their schooling. The sooner your child gets help the better. 
 
On the link below there are some handy links to government agencies, which may help relieve the burden of disability. There are many more organisations that can help, most of which are government funded. 

​All the best navigating through this maze. 

 
http://www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz/uploads/4/9/5/2/49523375/handy_links_for_disability_services_.pdf
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