Forward lean                                         Wrist turns                                       Finger spreads
                        Rest elbows on thighs near the knees.                       Sitting upright with arms hanging loosely.        Rest forearms on desk top or thighs.  
                         Let hands hang loosely,  Relax shoulders..               Turn hands around one way until                        Stretch fingers apart as if trying to make
                         Breathe deeply in the base of lungs.                          gentle stretching is felt.  Hold                              them longer.  Hold stretched for 3 counts then
                        Stay relaxed in this position for 6-8 breaths.             that position for the count of 5.                          relax hand for the count of 5.   Repeat 3 times.
                                                                                                                  Repeat 3 times in each direction.

                                 Arm shakes                                          Head turns                                   Shoulder circles
                 Sitting upright, drop shoulders into a.             With slight chin tuck, turn head to one                       Sitting upright , hang arms by sides.  Roll 
                            relaxed position. Let arms hang                      side then to the other.  Hold for the count           shoulders in a backward direction.  
​                 loosely.  Gently shake wrist and arms            of 5 at the end of each turn.  Repeat 5                        Repeat 10 times.
                           to the count of 5.  Repeat 3 times.           times in each direction.

                       Side stretch                                  Flexor stretch                                         Extensor stretch
   Sitting upright hold onto the seat with one hand.          Hold one arm straight out in front, palm up.               Rest one elbow on desk top with the thumb
  Place the other hand on top of head and gently tip        Hold the front of the fingers with the other hand.       of this hand near your nose.  Resting the other
​  head over to this side.  Hold for the count of 5.              ​Keeping fingers straight bend the wrist back.             hand on the back of the first hand, bend the first
  Repeat 5 times each side.                                                   into; a definite gentle stretch is felt in the                    hand forward until a definite gentle stretch is felt
                                                                                                   forearm and wrist.  Hold for 10 ​counts,,                       over the back of the wrist.  Hold for 10 counts, then
​                                                                                                  then  relax stretch,  Repeat 3 ​times.                               relax,  Repeat 3 times.

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort doing your job out friendly physiotherapists and occupational therapists can help. Just contact us
 
                                    Phone:  03 377 5280                                           Email:  [email protected]

Seating people comfortably

Many elderly and disabled people in care sit for long periods of time.  Some are able to move themselves while others are not able to move without assistance.
 
For those of us caring for the elderly and disabled we need to think carefully about how we seat those in our care. We need to consider things like:

• posture
• pressure relief
• potential mobility

 
Good posture is important to prevent back pain, encourage mobility, assist swallowing and prevent chest infections. When choosing a chair for a client it needs to be supportive to prevent them from slumping over. 
 
When sitting for long periods of time without being able to adjust your position, circulation to areas on a person’s bottom, legs and back can be cut off causing discomfort and, if left, pressure sores.

When sitting for long periods of time without being able to adjust your position, circulation to areas on a person’s bottom, legs and back can be cut off causing discomfort and, if left, pressure sores. 

​Pressure relief is important. Some chairs have pressure relief features built into them; we recommend these, especially for people who are unable to change their position. Alternatively pressure cushions can be used.  
 
Air filled pressure cushions (Rohos) can be problematic.  They can be slippery causing a person to slide forward into a slumped posture.  A slumped posture is uncomfortable, can make it hard to swallow and breathe effectively and take part in activities. The cushions raise the height of the seat, which may cause the feet to dangle, leading to discomfort under the thighs.  While sitting it’s important to have feet on the floor or a footrest.
 
For more information on pressure injuries follow this link.
https://www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz/uploads/4/9/5/2/49523375/skin_injuries_caused_by_pressure.pdf
 
Keeping people mobile as long as possible is in everyone’s best interests.  If you are caring for someone who can still stand themselves up or better still walk safely, it’s important you choose a seat that encourages them to stand and get out of easily. This means their feet must be flat on the floor, the chair has armrests at the right height to push up from and the seat surface is firm enough to wriggle forward.

​The ideal seat for a person, maintains an upright posture with their bottom back in the chair and hips at a 90 degree angle. The chair needs to support the spine, thighs with a gap behind the knees and the armrests should support the arms with relaxed shoulders.  Feet need to be flat on the floor or supported on a footstool.

For more information on choosing a seat follow this link https://www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz/uploads/4/9/5/2/49523375/choosing_a_comfy_armchair__.pdf
 
If you need some help seating the elderly or disabled in your care our friendly Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists can help just contact us at Therapy Professionals.
 
                Ph:      03 3775280                            Email:           [email protected]
 
 

Arthritis

Most of us have heard of arthritis, however, did you know there are about 140 different types of arthritis?  The most common are Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gout.
 
The causes of the different types of arthritis vary, however, the thing they have in common is there is an inflammatory response in the joints causing swelling, pain, stiffness and joint damage. Arthritis can affect all age groups with the elderly being most affected, generally with Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is caused by ‘wear and tear’ on the joints cartilage. Cartilage is on the end of our bones protecting our bones from damage, it act like a cushion. Over time the cartilage breaks down and may completely go. Injuries to joints often accelerate the breakdown of joint cartilage.  It generally affects the feet, hands, knees, hips and lower back. Most people over 65 will have some osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means the immune system attacks the tissues of the body - in this case the linings of the joints.  It also affects other parts of the body.  There may be periods where the disease is active or not active and it may burn itself out after a number of years.
 
It affects all age groups - in childhood rheumatoid arthritis is called juvenile arthritis

​Gout 

In gout uric acid crystals form in and around the joints, commonly around the big toe, and may move to the knees, elbows, wrists, and fingers.  It causes excruciating pain and swelling.  Uric acid is a by-product of digesting a protein called purine, which the body isn’t excreting.  Being overweight, genetics, taking certain medications, sugary drinks, alcohol, eating too much liver, meat and seafood, and existing kidney disease may cause uric acid to stay in the body.  An attack can come on suddenly. To prevent joint and kidney damage, it needs to be treated quickly. 

Treatments

The aim of treatment is generally to reduce the swelling, pain and damage to the joints.

​For more information:

https://www.arthritis.org.nz/forms-of-arthritis/
https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/arthritis
https://www.healthline.com/health/arthritis

If you need help to get mobile, exercise or you need dietary advice our friendly physiotherapists and dietitians can help just contact us.
​
                        Ph:   (03) 377 5280        Email:           [email protected]

​Food for a Healthy Heart

It's never too late to look after your heart, improve your health, and get the most out of life. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the best foods for your heart:
 
​Fruit and Vegetables 
Have fruits and/or vegetables at every meal and for most snacks. 
 
Grains and Starchy Vegetables

• Select whole grain breads or high-fibre breakfast cereals, in place of white bread and low fibre varieties. 
• Have a baked potatoes or kumara instead of deep-fried chips.
• Swap white flour for wholemeal.
• Just eat one grainy or starchy food at each meal

Protein – meat, poultry, legumes, fish, seafood and eggs

• Include a protein in one or more meals each day.
• Cut fat off meat and chicken
• Drain the fat of tinned products
• Steam, grill or pan fry fish and seafood
• Add legumes to meat dishes they make the meat go further

 
Dairy Products

• Have low-fat milk, and milk products.
• Eat reduced fat cheeses
• Select a plain unsweetened yoghurt over sweet baking

Drinks

• Drink plenty of fluids each day, particularly water
• Have unsweetened tea and coffee with low fat milk
• Have soda water instead of fizzy drinks and fruit juices.
• Keep your alcohol consumption down

 
General tips

• When cooking limit sugar or salt 
• Choose ready-prepared foods, snacks and drinks low in saturated fat, sugar and sodium. 
• Avoid butter, deep-fried and fatty foods 
• Have sweet bakery products or pastries and fruit juices only occasionally.

If you are struggling to change your diet Therapy Professionals friendly Dietitian can help just contact us.
                                                Phone: 03 377 5280                      Email: [email protected]

Are My Elderly Parent’s Coping?

As our parents move in to Shakespeare’s ‘Sixth stage of man’ many of us in our middle age are busy with our careers and bringing up children.  We often take our parents for granted and forget they are ageing.  If we see them regularly, we may not notice subtle changes or if we live elsewhere and rarely see them, we may get a shock at their decline between visits.  Compounding this, most parents don't want to be a 'bother' and aren't good at telling their adult children they need help.
 
It can be a shock to see our parents slowing down and not coping. We may have no idea how to deal with their changing state. Some of us respond by ignoring or minimising the situation, while others will behave more like a bossy parent.  More often than not, even with the best intentions, we don't know when and how to respond. 

In my experience with my own mother and observing others it's best to start talking with your parents early in their retirement, and keep talking about all the different scenarios that may happen as they age, good and bad.  For each scenario, find out the options for care or help and discuss these with your parents. Most importantly, find out what they want to happen in each case.

​It may help to start by arranging a power of attorney, and who will be responsible for their health, welfare and finances should they become incapable of making those decisions.  A change in the ability to manage one’s affairs could happen suddenly after a health event, like a stroke, or slowly as a result of dementia.  It’s best to be prepared.
 
Become informed with your parents on how ageing may affect them and how they may look after themselves to extend their independence and enjoyment of life.  There is plenty of information on the Internet to help with this.  I suggest you look at local reputable resources.
 
Regularly check in with your parents, and ask them if there is anything they are struggling with.  If so, discuss alternative ways of managing the problem area. Be observant, and if you notice there has been a change in, say, the standard of house keeping, tactfully discuss this with them.  Again, it is helpful if you've discussed at an earlier time how to manage these changes and how best to broach the subjects with them.

Changes you may notice include, a drop in:
 

• household cleanliness and tidiness
• household and garden maintenance
• personal hygiene and grooming
• weight and lack of food in the fridge and cupboards
• bills being paid on time 
• managing trades people and technology

 
It is well worth having these hard conversations with your ageing parents as it helps take some of the stress out of their decline and allows you to more readily enjoy their final years.
 
If your parents are struggling at home our friendly therapists may be able to help them maintain their independence. Just contact us at Therapy Professionals 
 
Ph:                              03 3775280
Email:                        [email protected]

 
‘The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper’d pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
His youthful hose, well sav’d, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion;
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.’
 
William Shakespeare – As you like it.  “The seven stages of man.”