​It’s time for some pillow talk.  In this nod to the restorative powers of sleep, we share lifestyle and nutritional tips for your day that will help you reap the rewards at night.
 
Sleep is essential for physical, cognitive and emotional health. In the words of the Sleep Foundation, we need to prioritise it to stay “healthy, happy and sharp”.
 
For adults over the age of 18, health professionals recommend seven to nine hours sleep a night. These precious hours allow for a full body reset.  Mentally, a good sleep supports cognitive functions, memory consolidation, and overall mental wellbeing.  Physically, it supports immune function, cardiovascular health, respiratory health and hormonal balance.  There’s a saying that your gut ‘does its housework’ whilst you sleep, which sums things up succinctly.  When we wake up needing the lavatory, that’s our body needing to put out the rubbish after its work cleaning up overnight.  No wonder we feel like we’re suffering when 40 winks allude us.
 
What sleep type are you?
 
You might understand that you are sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric or melancholic, but did you know there are also sleep types?  Researchers from Pennsylvania State University are working to determine sleep types in adults and figure out what their type means for their overall health.  Sleep types fall into four different categories.

• Good sleepers – those who have ideal sleep.

• Weekend catch up sleepers – those who sleep longer on their days off to make up for lack of sleep during the week.

• Insomnia sleepers and nappers – those who get a good sleep but are also likely to have a nap during the day.

 
Research shows the ‘insomnia sleepers’ are more likely to develop health conditions.
 
‘Nappers’ are also more likely to develop health conditions but less likely than those with insomnia. The researchers believe that the results may suggest that it is difficult to change habits, because sleep is embedded into our overall lifestyle and people tend to undervalue the importance of their sleep and sleep health.
 
So what strategies can you use to improve your sleep health if you don’t fall into the ‘good sleepers’ category?

​Routine  When taking care of babies, we work consistently to establish a soothing sleep routine.  This includes a warm, soothing bath, putting on pjs, reading a book, and going to bed at the same time every night. These rhythmic nightly actions create cues for the baby that sleep time is coming, and their body needs to unwind in preparation for the night’s rest.  There is no reason why a soothing routine shouldn’t continue through an entire lifetime.
 
Create a sleep-friendly environment.  Make sure your bedroom is comfy, quiet and dark.  If you need additional help to block out light or sound, use earplugs or an eye mask and consider using white noise.  To avoid disrupting the effects of melatonin, avoid bright screens before sleep.
 
Keep physically active during the day.  Regular exercise in the daytime can improve sleep quality.  It doesn’t need to be overly vigorous, just try to do it earlier in the day, as all those endorphins you’re creating have stimulating effects which is not what we want at bed time!
 
Substances such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns especially if you are consuming them in the evening or at night.  Without sounding like a complete kill-joy, attempt to keep these to a minimum!

​A ‘cat nap’ or a ‘nana nap’.  These golden nuggets of energy enhancement can be just the ticket, if used correctly!  Expert suggestions for the ideal snooze include keeping it short (10-20 mins).  Set an alarm if you are likely to sleep longer.  A longer lie down runs the risk of disrupting the following night’s sleep - leaving you feeling worse. The halfway mark between when you woke up and plan to go to sleep is ideal so an early afternoon nap makes sense to many. Following these guidelines can lead to better memory, greater tolerance for frustrations, increased learning capacity and (to the benefit of those around you) an improved mood!
 
Watch your medications and check with a healthcare professionals whether anything you’re on has potential to interfere with sleep.  Making sure you are managing underlying health conditions effectively can improve sleep too.
 
See your Doctor if you suspect a sleep disorder. They can refer you to a specialist for testing to pinpoint and treat anything out of whack.

​What to eat to help you sleep

• Look for food with an amino acid named ‘tryptophan’.  Your body converts this into the natural sleep regulation chemicals serotonin and melatonin. Foods like turkey, chicken, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds and tofu are all good sources of tryptophan.

 

• Whole grains, fruits and vegetables also provide sustained energy and help regulate blood sugar levels during the night.  And if you're feeling patriotic, stock up on kiwifruit, which has been shown to promote better sleep too.

 

• Stay away from spicy or acidic foods which can bring on heartburn and indigestion and disrupt sleep.  Sugary foods and drinks, caffeinated beverages and alcohol should be avoided at night as they’ll make it harder to fall asleep.

 

• Consider the timing of your meals.  try to finish your dinner two or three hours before bed and avoid too many drinks in the evening to avoid a trip to the loo at midnight.

 
 
Reference: NZ Best Senior and Living Retirement Lifestyle Guide 2025

Make your heart beat faster
 
Exercise can be a divisive topic.  Some are quite happy with the odd walk to keep the blood flowing, while others are peppy exercise evangelists, regularly pumped up on endorphins.  Suzi Brown helps navigate the territory in between.

​Lycra isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and after all, we’re not all built for distance running or aerobics classes not to mention loud repetitive club anthems...especially as one’s age increases.  But you can find a way to exercise in moderation, at a level and intensity that suits you.  And there are methods to fight that natural inclination to stay buttocks-firmly-on-the-couch, even when the weather is less than inviting.
 
From battling the bulge to enjoying a quicker memory, the benefits of increasing your pulse rate are endless and long-lasting.  All research points to the fact that we’ll have healthier, happier bodies and minds if we make a habit of taking some daily exercise.  If you’re currently not exercising, don’t fret, you can work up to it.  I’m no Olympian, but I have learnt a few tips and tricks to encourage myself to go just a little bit further, or a little bit faster... because there really are rewards beyond the comfort zone.

Motivate yourself to get moving

• It’s in the mind.  As a regular runner and gym goer I know the key to getting moving can be as simple as a change of outfit.  Just as climbing into your nightclothes prepares your mind for sleep, changing into ‘active wear’ sends a message that it is time to exercise.  Honestly, once you’re in your gear, half the battle is won.  All you need is a pair of supportive sports shoes and comfortable clothing which has plenty of room for movement.  Remember several light layers are better than one bulky one as your body will heat up as you start moving.            Hint:  Second hand shops are simply exploding with barely used exercise clothes.  A new top or shorts can do wonders in encouraging you out of the house.  Even some new cushion-soled sports socks can help do the trick.
• Start small.  This is my oldest, most basic way to trick my mind into an exercise session: if you REALLY aren’t in the mood for it, just tell yourself you will walk/jog/bike a small distance.  Whatever isn’t too overwhelming for your personal level of fitness.  For some this might simply be a slow amble to the corner, for others a jog to the end of the street.  The thing is, once you have actually made it to the corner you’ll find you are surprisingly feeling quite good, and since you went to the trouble of getting changed and onto the footpath, you may as well go to the next corner!  I have tricked myself into a lot of longer-than-intended jogs by using this useful technique.

• Use encouraging affirmations.  Our friends at Nike have hit it out of the park with their slogan which I repeat in my head regularly:  JUST DO IT!  They’re the perfect three words to get up and get going.  And once I am going, another favourite is,  “I am running rings around anyone sitting on their couch right now.”  Then, there are the questions I ask myself: “Am I man or mouse?”  (Correct answer is man.). I also remind myself this is only a very small portion of my 24-hour day, and that I will feel fabulous (and relieved) when I’ve actually finished this thing. (Followed by imagining the relief and joy of the steaming hot shower at the end, and the knowledge that I’ve earned myself a treat after dinner!)

• Find that song.  You cannot overestimate the affect of a well-chosen song on your psychological condition.  Find a playlist in the genre and pop on some headphones or earpods.  If you enjoy a podcast then choose a goodie.  It really is a helpful way to distract your mind from that fact that your body is a bit sore or tired.

• Join a group exercise session.  These are on offer in most retirement villages and many communities.  They range from gentle stretch classes to ‘bootcamps’ or retro dance groups, and offer the opportunity to exercise with a group of like-minded people under the expert tutelage of an instructor.  The group usually runs on a fixed day and time so is easy to incorporate into your weekly routine.  I have been going to a ‘boot camp’ for 12 years now and as we have aged the instructor has adapted the programme to include more body strength and mobility work.  My ‘classmates’ have become good friends and will text to check in on me if I don’t attend which means I don’t make excuses! It is one of the social highlights of my week made even better as it incorporates exercise.

• Make a regular date to meet a friend to walk your favourite circuit or to explore new tracks in your region.  There are also a wide variety of annual charity walks which offer the opportunity to be social, stay fit and support a worthy cause.  Examples include The Pink Ribbon Walk for breast cancer and the Walk to Defeat MND for motor neurone disease.  If you need to find someone to walk with search the web for “Walking groups near me”, and you will find most communities offer at least one group aimed at those over 50.

• Dangle a carrot!  Once you have done this walk, or that workout, reward yourself with something small but wonderful.  That morning coffee tastes soooo much better when you’ve earned it.

What type of exercise should I choose?

The choices are endless!  I would encourage you to start with what sort of personality you have, or the kind of lifestyle you lead.  If you are surrounded by people a lot, then a walk by yourself might be just the ticket.  However if you perk up around others then choose something more sociable like a group exercise class or a trip to the gym where you can have a chat with those around you.  Women in particular benefit from weight bearing exercises as they age, as bone density decreases.  Weight training encourages not only firmer muscles, but the ability to retain strong bones and stave off osteoporosis.  Some examples would be:

• Weight bearing exercises – a group of activities that are carried out while on your feet, meaning you bear your own body weight.  You could try jogging on the spot or aerobic dance.

• Body weight training: these are a simple, cheap and effective way to increase your body strength and improve balance and flexibility.  The beauty is they don’t require machinery or extra equipment with only body weight for resistance.  Think push-ups, chair dips, lunges, wall sits or climbing stairs.

• Resistance training.  This generally uses equipment like dumbells or resistance bands.  These exercises in particular are great for increasing bone density, and can also reduce the risk of falls and prevent muscle mass loss.

• Isometric exercises:  Think planks, wall sits, glute bridges or warrior poses.  You can try these at home as they require no equipment and can be achieved without a huge time outlay. 

• Pilates/yoga has multiple benefits.  It is a way to exercise gently, reduce tension and improve flexibility and balance as well as refreshing the mind and soul.

 
Incidental exercise
 
Exercise doesn’t need to be intentional for it to be exercise!  Look out for opportunities for “incidental” activity.  Basically that means exercise that happens during a typical day.  For example: household chores, gardening, shopping and simply skipping the lift and walking up stairs.  These small exercise opportunities have been shown to be hugely helpful in warding off wait gain and improving general health, as well as helping avoid the mental load of putting aside time to be specifically active.
 
TIP:  Add extra incidental exercise to your day by parking a bit further away from a place or person you might be visiting.  Obviously this will increase your daily step count – and every extra step helps.
 
Take a seat
 
Why not try mixing up your usual exercise routine, and take a seat!  Seated exercise can be just as beneficial for improving strength, flexibility and balance as the traditional forms, but with the added positives of being suitable for those with mobility issues or medical conditions.  There are gentle seated exercises to suit almost anyone, and many affordable community-based classes with experienced instructors who can guide you.  You can work on improving your strength, flexibility and balance and leave feeling energised, while enjoying a supportive environment with like minded individuals.

​Resources for every body:
 
Nymbl Balance Training App is ACC’s free digital balance app.  Nymbl enables you to improve your balance by taking you through simple body movements.  Give up on your excuses about cost, this app is completely free!  Enjoy its easy-to-use format with step-by-step instructions. 
 
https://www.livestronger.org.nz/find-a-community-strength-and-balance-class/find-a-strength-and-balance-class/find-a-class
Pop to this webpage to find a great selection of resources including video exercises to do at home or simply click on your region and find a class near you.  Tip:  Some of the church-based community classes are followed by morning tea, where you can reward yourself for your diligent exercise efforts!
 
Workout jargon explained
 
Do you feel like people are speaking ancient Greek when the conversation strays into working out?  It is all actually pretty straight forward.  After digesting the descriptions over the page, you’ll have it down in no time:
 
Cardio (Cardiovascular exercise):
Any form of exercise that makes your heart beat harder and breathe more heavily.  This is a great workout for your heart.
 
Endurance:  This is similar to cardio exercise in that it increases your heart and breathing rate.  As the word suggests, endurance is generally longer lasting.  It can be weight-bearing or non weight-bearing.
 
HIT: High Intensity Interval Training.  This involves alternating short bursts of intense exercise with periods of rest or lower intensity activity.  HIT workouts are known for burning a lot of calories in a short amount of time.
 
Reps (Repetitions):  This refers to one complete cycle of a movement in an exercise.  So, if you do a bicep curl where you raise and lower the weight one time, that’s one rep.
 
Sets:  This refers to a group of repetitions performed consecutively with a short rest in between.
 
Strength training:  This type of exercise uses weights, resistance bands, or your body weight to build muscle strength and endurance.  Examples include squats, lunges, push-ups, rows, and bicep curls.
 
ENOM (Every Minute on the Minute):  This is a workout structure where you perform a set number of reps of an exercise at the beginning of each minute.  The remaining time can be used for rest or recovery.
 
AMRAP (As Many Reps/Rounds As Possible):  This type of workout challenges you to complete as many reps or rounds of a circuit as possible within a set time frame.
 
There are many other exercise terms and acronyms out there, so don’t hesitate to ask a trainer or gym staff if you come across something you’re unsure about.  Thery’re there to help you understand and feel comfortable with you workout routine.
 
 
Reference:  Aged Advisor 2025

Forgotten, but not gone
 
Chances are, as you grow older someone close to you will be diagnosed with dementia - a progressive loss of cognitive abilities, such as memory, significant enough to have an impact on a person’s daily activities.

The stats tell us that it’s an increasingly common illness.  About 70,000 people in Aotearoa are currently living with the disease, and by 2050 this is projected to balloon to 170,000.  It is natural to view it with fear, but with growing research, education, medication options, lifestyle changes and understanding, the future doesn’t need to look as dim as we first imagined.
 
Whether dementia has touched your world yet or not, it’s worth considering these questions.  How can we remove the stigma surrounding it, and then work to delay its progression?  How can we improve the day-to-day lives of those living with cognitive decline?
 
How does one get diagnosed, and what happens next?
 
It is often a loved one who notices a difference.  Examples of changes could include:

• Memory and language could begin to falter – for example a person might forget words or use the wrong ones
• Motor activities and coordination to manage things like doing up buttons could become a problem
• Concentrating, planning or organising skills are impaired
• Recognising or identifying objects change
• Confusion, poor concentration, mood changes and difficulty with everyday tasks

 
Unusual social behaviours
 
If you notice an accumulation of these differences in a loved one and it concerns you, gently suggest a trip to the GP for a check up.  Dementia New Zealand lists some useful ideas on their website (dementia.nz) for how to manage this doctor’s trip and come away with a successful outcome.
 
It would be useful to let the GP know about your concerns prior to an appointment so they are engaged and prepared.  To reduce time pressure, consider booking a double appointment, and come prepared with an honest list of concerns and any incidents that have occured.
 
Getting an early diagnosis can be a blessing, allowing the person and their whānau time to adjust, access support, come to terms with what is happening, plan for the future and make choices about how they might choose to live in the next few years.

Across the globe, there is ongoing scientific research into how doctors arrive at the dementia diagnosis of Alzheimers, or evidence of whether a person is even likely to develop Alzheimers in the future.
 
In early 2024, the UK-based news source ‘The Times’ published an article entitled “Alzheimer’s blood test detects risk 15 years before symptoms”.  According to the article “...scientists in Sweden have taken a simple testing kit that is already commercially available to researchers, and found that it can detect proteins in the blood, which can cause Alzheimer’s and start to build up on the brain 10 to 15 years before symptoms start showing.”  According to Bart De Strooper, a professor of Alzheimer’s research at University College London (UCL), “the findings bring us very close to a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease that can be used in daily practice.”
 
With this sort of research and development, perhaps in the not too distant future we could get a regular, routine diagnosis screening test once we reach the risk age for the disease to begin to develop.
 
Technology is also playing a part in early diagnosis.  Researchers have found that virtual reality technology could be key in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages, according to Australia’s ‘Aged Care Guide’ website.  New results suggest that difficulty with spatial awareness in middle-aged people may be an indicator of Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
 
During the study, researchers asked participants to ‘navigate within a virtual environment while wearing VR (virtual reality) headsets’.  VR headsets incorporate sight and hearing through technology which creates an alternative environment to the one they are physically in.  The headset fits over the person’s eyes and ears and sensors within the headset change the perspective of the virtual environment.
 
Although this innovative research still needs more work to develop the use of virtual reality, used in conjunction with blood and other tests, it could help diagnose the potential for the development of Alzheimer’s disease earlier.
 
Reducing the risk
 
Some risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, like age or genetics, can’t be helped, however there are other factors we can have a chance at influencing.
 

• Lifestyle habits:  Regular physical activity, being socially active, keeping a healthy diet and alcohol consumption to a minimum. Avoid smoking.

• Avoid eating lots of ultra processed foods.  Fizzy drinks, burgers, cakes and sweets are doing no favours to your brain health, according to a large trial linking the ultra-processed food products to stroke and dementia.
• Adopt good sleeping habits such as going to bed and getting up at consistent times or avoiding bright or blue light in bed, like that of screens.
• Play an instrument: Being musical is a way of harnessing the brain’s agility and resilience.
• Engage in brain games and puzzles. These serve as mental exercise that may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.  Brain training apps have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a convenient and accessible way for seniors to exercise their brains and improve mental agility.  These apps feature a variety of games and exercises designed to challenge different cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and problem-solving.  For example Bingo, Chess or Word Search.
• Stay creative and connected. A quick look on the Alzheimers New Zealand website show’s a wonderful selection of free, engaging and fun group activities to encourage participation and staying active.  Check out alzheimers.org.nz.
• Stay engaged socially.  A recent study by our neighbours over the Tasman showed loneliness increases the risk of dementia by 40 per cent for older Australians.  That’s a great reason to stay connected to friends, family members and local community groups.

 
What happens if you get a diagnosis?
Nothing has to change immediately!  Dementia NZ suggests that for some people one of the best ways of coming to terms with a diagnosis is to talk to other people who have already crossed this bridge.  Their website says:
 
“Discussing hopes and fears with others facing the same issues can help reduce some of the anxiety and sense of aloneness that a diagnosis can bring, both for people with dementia and those who are supporting them.  Understanding that a diagnosis does not change who a person is and that it is possible to still enjoy a good quality of life is an important part of learning to live well with dementia.”
 
Somewhere down the line you will need to make some changes though and that will involve considering where to live.
 
Staying at home in a family environment vs going into a care facility
The choice of at home care or a care facility can depend on your culture.  It is more common for those from a Pacific Island or Maori background to choose to keep living at home with the support of family and community help.  For those who choose that route, Dementia NZ has activity respite programs, and every region has organisations which can help.  For example, Brain Tree (www.canterburybraincollective.org) is an innovative facility in Ōtautahi, Christchurch, that supports people living with neurological conditions to live well in the community.  Their purpose is to enable people with a neurological condition to keep living a life full of potential.  They provide a practical, everyday support with a total-wellness approach covering exercise, diet, cognitive stimulation, education and social connection – which has been proven to have a hugely positive impact on the lives of those living with neurological conditions.

If moving into residential care will ensure your loved one’s safety and quality of life, the next step is to find a new home that will look after them as lovingly as you have.  Research is key, and visiting agedadvisor.nz is a great place to start.  Aged Advisor collects independent aged care reviews on rest home and retirement care facilities across New Zealand.
 
Once you have shortlisted what you think might be suitable new home options, simply visit the facilities on agedadvisor.nz for non-biased views shared by family, staff, residents and whānau.  Some good questions to ask when searching for the right place to live are:

• What’s different and special about the facility’s dementia care?
• What is their philosophy of care?
• How are the staff trained and supported to care for people living with dementia?
• How does that facility support family members wishing to spend time with their loved ones?
• What levels of care do they offer?

 
Some innovative options are beginning to spring up as those in the industry begin to prepare for the 1 in 10 Kiwis expected to be diagnosed.  With the projected increase of dementia in the coming years in mind, Ryman Healthcare has rebuilt its model from the ground up, resulting in the myRyman Life programme.
 
In a Stuff article from September 2023, their project specialist, Caroline Bartle, notes, “It’s...about spontaneity, happiness and connection with others, themselves and their environment.  We provide activities both inside and out that help our residents to reconnect with the lives they lived before they came to us.”
 
All of Ryman Healthcare’s New Zealand villages, from Whangarei to Invercargill, have now gained Dementia Friendly Accreditation as recognised by Alzheimers New Zealand.  Specialist dementia care is offered at 32 of their villages, and all have dementia friendly gardens.
 
Similarly, nine Summerset villages offer a specialised Memory Care centre.  Their website comments that they “provide modern apartment style living with innovative design to create a world-class environment for people living with dementia.  Coupled with resident centric philosophy to improve the lives of people living with dementia, residents enjoy a welcoming atmosphere designed specifically for them.”
 
Perhaps it’s time New Zealand care and villages followed in the path of our Australian neighbours, who have begun to think about how they can accommodate the growing numbers of residents with dementia.  At The Prince Charles Hospital, on Brisbane’s northside, a village-like community area named ‘Charlie’s village’ has been developed within the Cognitive Assessment and Mangement (CAM) Unit – the extended care ward that cares for patients with dementia and other cognitive impairments.  The idea is to present a space which gives those suffering a sense of the familiar, and includes familiar facades like a hairdresser, bakery, and post office.  Being in  a hospital-type setting can be distressing, so Charlie’s Village allows residents to wander in a safe and familiar environment.
 
Where to find help:
 
MATE WAREWARE:  https://www.matewareware.co.nz This website provides information for whānau on how to manage mate wareware as well as information about what actions and behaviours can be adopted across the life span to help prevent this disease.  Can also be accessed as an app on both Android and Apple phones.
 
DEMENTIA NZ:  https://dementia.nz/ or Freephone 0800 433 636.  Providing information, support for all ages, resources, advice, meetings and more for people caring for family/whanau affected by dementia in New Zealand.
 
ALZHEIMERS NZ:  https://alzheimers.org.nz/ or Freephone 0800 004 001. Support, information, education programmes and services for individuals and family/whanau affected by dementia in New Zealand.
 
Reference: Aged Advisor 2025

 
1.  Easter Treats for people with swallowing problems 
​
Catering for people with a swallowing problem at Easter can be tricky. It’s hard to know what treats you can give or even to remember many Easter treats are food.
 
Here are some ideas:
 
Pureed diet (smooth and uniform texture)

•  chocolate sauce
• flavoured toppings e.g. caramel, strawberry
• melted chocolate – try adding a little whipped cream to help slow the resetting time
• chocolate mousse

 
Minced and Moist diet: (needs to be very finely cut or mashed). All options suggested for a pureed diet plus:''

• finely grated chocolate,
• mashed cake or muffin with cream or yoghurt,
• trifle, tiramisu (with custard, cream or ice cream)

​Easy to Chew diet: (must be able to be easily and cleanly cut with the side of a fork)
      All of the options in “pureed” and “minced and moist” plus:

• chocolate fudge,
• Russian fudge,
• some soft centred caramels,
• muffins or cake with cream or
• softened chocolate (placed in microwave until soft),
• Turkish delight (made with jelly and icing sugar),
• yoghurt,
• some soft lollies like ‘explorers’ and ‘bananas’ (test first, if left out on the shelf too long they become hard).

 
https://www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz/uploads/4/9/5/2/49523375/can_people_on_modified_diets_have_food_treats_.pdf

2.  No Sunshine No Vitamin D

Daylight saving is over and the days are getting shorter which reduces our ability to produce Vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for:

• bone growth and strength
• muscle health
• our immune system and wound healing

Our main source of Vitamin D is exposing our skin to the sun.  Some foods contain vitamin D too, or supplements can be used, if recommended by your Doctor.
To compensate for the lack of sunlight, find out what foods contain vitamin D by visiting our website’s information and handy hints page or follow this link:
 
https://www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz/uploads/4/9/5/2/49523375/vitamin_d_and_the_winter_months__.pdf

If you need help to improve your dietary intake of Vitamin D our friendly dietitian can help.

3.  Enable Equipment 

We have therapists who are accredited assessors for Enable (government funded equipment. If you are waiting on Health NZ teams for your equipment needs. For the price of an assessment and doing an application we can help you access Enable equipment quicker than waiting on the public waiting list.
 
Repairs and Maintenance
Keep this information by your phone
 
First identify if it’s Enable equipment, there should be a label like this
 
Contact one of the subcontractors listed below:

 More Mobility/ Mobytech Ltd
113 Blenheim Road, Christchurch 8041
 
Phone: 0800 662 983,  (03) 348 3460 Option 3 or 027 516 2340
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.moremobility.co.nz
 
Mobility Services Ltd  (Wheelchair Services (SI) Ltd) (not generally a mobile service)
29 Shakespeare Road, Christchurch 8240
Phone: 03) 366 8815 or 0275 383 584 Email: [email protected]
Website www.mobilitysystems.co.nz '

Rehab Enterprises, mobile workshop. Contact Owen Henwood on Phone: 027 230 5974 or email: [email protected]
 
Total equipment services Ltd.  Phone 03 423 3574. Email: [email protected]
 
 
Alteration or Modification of Equipment
If you wish to have a piece of equipment altered or modified this is not a repair or maintenance. Call the therapist.
 
Re-allocating Equipment
You may have some equipment you are using for more than one resident e.g.  a hoist which is allocated to one resident. If the resident allocated to the equipment no longer requires it, the equipment can be reallocated to another resident by the occupational therapist. Please discuss this with the Therapist.
 
Returning Enable equipment
Phone 0800 ENABLE (0800 362 253), Mondays to Fridays from 8am to 5pm. Or follow this link to email
https://www.enable.co.nz/tools-resources/return-repair-equipment

Enable funded Wheelchairs - Ex- Templeton clients

Health NZ community teams are contracted to provide level 1 and level 2 Wheeled Mobility and Postural Management for the ex-Templeton clients. However if you wish to get a wheelchair quicker you can pay Therapy professionals to do an application. For those who aren’t eligible for an Enable funded wheelchairs you can contract Therapy Professionals to do the assessment and source a chair you would need to pay for.
 
Note if you privately purchase a chair it is your responsibility to do and pay for any maintenance or repairs.

4.  Restrictive equipment

Some of the equipment prescribed by Occupational and Physiotherapists can be considered a restraint under some circumstances.
 
To help decide whether a piece of restrictive equipment is a restraint or not follow this chart

We have updated our Enabler Recommendations form to better reflect Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Service standards on restraints. It will give the clinical rational, list the circumstances the equipment is prescribed for and any possible adverse effects of the equipment’s use.
 
If the equipment is used outside the therapists consented recommended use it is considered a restraint and you will need to follow your restraints policy.
 
If equipment already prescribed by a Therapist could be considered a restraint please contact the Therapist.

5.  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 that area, 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.
 
For more information visit our website’s information and handy hints page or follow this link.
 
https://www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz/uploads/4/9/5/2/49523375/skin_injuries_caused_by_pressure.pdf
 
Pressure injuries are a risk for frail and immobile people in care.  Prevention is always the aim but unfortunately pressure injuries still occur.
 
Our therapists can help with education and managing current or recurring pressure injuries by giving advice on:
 

• pressure relief equipment
• positioning and movement
• diet for wound healing

 
Our friendly Physio, Occupational Therapists and Dietitians can help. Just contact Therapy Professionals on phone: 03 377 5280 or Email: [email protected].

​At any celebration - Christmas, Birthdays and Easter, it’s common for us to have food treats like sweets and nuts.  Unfortunately we notice a great increase in choking incidents and chest infections caused by aspiration over holiday seasons, because people forget these treats are food. 
 
Yes, people on modified diets can have treats however they need to be modified in the same ways as their usual foods.
 
In order to help you keep your clients safe from choking and chest infections our Speech Language Therapists have come up with a few alternatives for you to try.

Minced and Moist diet:  (needs to be very finely cut or mashed).
 
​All options suggested for a pureed diet plus:

• finely grated chocolate
• mashed cake or muffin with cream or yoghurt
• trifle, tiramisu (with custard, cream or ice cream

Easy to Chew diet: (must be able to be easily and cleanly cut with the side of a fork)
 
All of the options in pureed and minced and minced and moist plus:
 

• chocolate fudge
• Russian fudge
• some soft centred caramels
• muffins or cake with cream or yoghurt

• softened chocolate (placed in microwave until soft)
• Turkish delight (made with jelly and icing sugar)
• some soft lollies such as ‘bananas’ (test as if left out or shelved too long, they become hard.

​This list is not a complete list; you may come up with some of your own ideas as long as what you’re giving your clients is the correct texture prescribed
 

If you require any assistance, our Speech Language Therapists can help.
 
           Just contact us:   Phone:           03 377 5280                    Email: [email protected]

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
                     chair:
•       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) Back rest:   Needs to:
•       support the lower spine, neck and head
•       be wide enough to support shoulders
•       lean back only slightly
 
e)  Arm rests:  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

If you want to reduce your risk of falling it’s important to increase your leg strength and balance.  Below are some exercises, which if done regularly, will improve your leg strength and balance and reduce your risk of falls.
 
The following are exercises for the lower part of the body – to improve your coordination, balance, mobility and strength.  You will be working your buttocks, abdominals, thighs, knees, ankles and feet.


​Sit to Stand
 
To work buttocks, abdominals, thighs, knees, ankles and feet.
 
 
Repeat 10 times in succession.
Use as little hand support as possible

​Sit foot Raise
 
To work thighs.
 
A weight around the ankle increases muscle work. Hold for 10 seconds.
Repeat up to 20 times in succession.

​Knee Bends
 
To work buttocks and thighs.
 
Hold table at first then progress to no hand support.
 
Hold for 5 seconds.
Repeat 10 times in succession.

​
​Stand on toes
 
To work calf muscles and ankle joints.
 
Hold table at first then progress to no hand support.
 
Then walk on toes  - forward and backwards.
 
Hold 3 seconds.
Repeat 10 times.

​Stand on heels
 
To work shin muscles and ankle joints
 
Hold table at first then progress to no hand support.
 
Then walk on heels – forward and backwards
 
Hold 2 - 3 seconds.
Repeat 10 times.

​
​Heel toe stand and walk
 

To increase balance.
 
Place one foot in front of other heel to toe.
 
Hold table or wall at first then progress to no hand support.
 
Then walk in a straight line – heel to toe for 10 steps.
 


​Walk:

• Forward/backwards
• With high steps
• With long steps
• Walk and turn

 
Walk Walk Walk!!

​Acknowledgement: 
NZ Falls Prevention Research team, University of Otago Medical School

Memories are best stored and retained, what we call consolidated, by several principles. One is paying attention to the information, another one is repeating that information in different ways and processing that information.
​
"And if you don't spend the time to do that, then you won't remember the name of the person you've just been introduced to, you won't remember where you've  parked your car, and so forth."

There are other factors too, such as mental health issues - anxiety, depression - drug use, stress, and even being "hyper busy", Abraham said, have significant impacts on brain function.

In regards to an increase in the use of technology, Abraham said periods of not actively using your brain - like watching TV - is "probably not good".

"The brain likes to be used, and lots of helpful neurochemicals are released. If you're just interacting with your TV screen that doesn't produce the same effects."
​
Listen to the full interview here
​ 
Reference: RNZ
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/532020/why-are-people-in-their-30s-and-40s-experiencing-increased-memory-problems

​The way parents speak to children about making mistakes shapes whether they view failure as part of learning or something unsafe, according to a new University of Auckland study.

As a parent, psychology professor Elizabeth Peterson found the "gold" of the study was its identification of three 'conversational features' that are crucial in such conversations - a collaborative action plan, the mention of cognitive tools, and emotional support.

"The sense of 'we' in [these conversations] is really important. It's [giving the child] this  idea that 'I have an emotion, I have a plan, and there's support behind me.'"

The study - which analysed recorded conversations between more than 200 mothers and their 8-year-old children after a recent setback - was published in the British Journal of Educational Psychology.

Although rates of anxiety among children are high and many are easily overwhelmed by a mistake or instance of failure, many parents in the study didn't mention their child's emotional response at all.

"Going back about it, over a past event, the emotions just weren't discussed. And if they were discussed, they were sometimes dismissed, ie 'Oh, you're a bit silly to think that way'."

Over half of the recorded conversations did not include any discussion of a forward plan for the child, Peterson says, and a lot didn't mention resources such as reframing and cognitive regulatory strategies.

"If they only discussed an action plan without any kind of collaborative resources behind it, those kids tended to fear making mistakes more, probably, because there was that sense of isolation."
There's real value in equipping children, from an early age, with tools they can call on when they hit a setback, Peterson says.

Alongside this, it's helpful that parents convey the message that making mistakes is a normal part of the learning process.

"Mistakes are welcome. Mistakes can often be signals of where we need to go a bit deeper. It's about being curious about them.

"Often we think of learning as this ladder that we have to get better and better and better at something. But actual real learning, I like to think of it more as a tide coming in where we learn some stuff and then we have some struggles and we go backwards."

Education specialist James Nottingham's concept of the 'learning pit' as a place in which you can't avoid getting messy conveys this well for Peterson.

"It's going to be hard, it's going to be emotional, but if we practise and we persist and we work on it, we'll come out of that learning pit better than we were when we started ... We often have to jump in and get a bit mucky."

For many, music is a central part of life, whether it's to help get you motivated to work up a sweat at the gym, focus on your studies, or even remember a loved one - and sometimes we'll do this without noticing the therapeutic benefits of listening to music.
 
It can help people at all stages of their lives and in many circumstances, physiologically and psychologically too, says Daphne Rickson, an adjunct professor at the New Zealand School of Music - Te Koki, where music therapists train.

"We all use music in our lives for various reasons, but there are a lot of people who are unable or find difficulty, have challenges, who need the support of the therapist. So the therapist, the therapeutic process in music therapy, is just as important as the music," Rickson told Saturday Morning.
 
"I think we would really like for music therapy to be a choice for people, a mainstream choice, for people who are experiencing physical, social, and emotional or spiritual challenges in their lives - that there are ways for them to easily access music therapy."
 
She recalls how a boy with autism struggled to communicate, until she found him humming the notes of a prominent car advertisement and replicated that to get him to sing along.
 
"It was an incredible breakthrough moment, his mum was there and she was very moved by his expression, and I think it's a lovely example ... because I think it's a beautiful way to demonstrate how connected young people can be to music and how they can excel and do things that they're not able to do in other contexts."

​Chris O'Connor, drummer for The Phoenix Foundation, has found a new career in music therapy, which has also helped transform his way of thinking too.
 
"I feel like I'm just a bit less angsty," O'Connor tells Music 101. "Although that could just be because I'm a bit older now, but I think music therapy has also helped sort of burnish off some angsty edges that are quite persistent.
 
"Music is high stakes for me. It's high stakes of if I don't feel a gig has gone well, I'm devastated, you know, it's high stakes, and music therapy has just helped me find my way into a zone, where I can keep the stakes high but actually be not undermining it by being too angsty about it.
 
"So I'm actually able to go a bit more 'you know what? I've got this music therapy job during the day, now I'm at this gig, I'm not here to mess about, I'm going to actually play beautifully, it's going to be wonderful and I'm gonna love, and let's go'."

Being able to help people connect with their emotions or trigger a memory for people with dementia, for example, has been hugely rewarding, he says.
​
"It's an incredibly humbling to be able to facilitate a real sparking moment, when you see that light in someone's eyes, and that's real excitement, it's palpable.

​​"I mean that's the thing with musical experiences, it's like a secret in plain sight, you know, like having an enjoyable musical experience is only something that you can know through having one, and that's a part of what I'm hoping to facilitate in music therapy sessions."
 
He also loves seeing the profession grow culturally.
 
"I think music therapy has really benefitted from more and more non-Western practitioners, more languages, more cultures."
 
'To be with other people who understand them'
 
A musician herself, Rickson was worried about how her daughter, who was born profoundly deaf, would be able to engage with music. After seeing how her pre-school programme used music to improve listening and speech, she decided to become a music therapist.
 
"It was just so obvious how music was engaging the little children, it was non-threatening compared with speech, and that's something goes right through music therapy work; where if somebody asks you a question, you have a feeling that you have to answer and it has to be the right answer, but if you are just invited to sing, then you know there's no right or wrong way to do that, so it felt very non-threatening."

Her research into children at a Christchurch school, which used singing each morning for wellbeing after the 2011 earthquakes, found the students reported feeling more settled and able to learn after their sessions.
 
"Singing together, chanting together is a very connecting activity to do.
​
​"One of the important messages to bring in here is that not all music does all things. So music therapists are very careful in terms of what music they might choose for what purpose ... something that might be calming and helpful for one person might actually remind somebody else that's not so calming.
 
"For example … if there's a piece of music on the radio at the time the earthquake struck, regardless of what that music may have meant to somebody before that moment, it may strike terror again when they hear it next time."
 
Several neurological choirs in New Zealand are also supporting people in communication and wellbeing, she says.
 
"They could go there to sing, and through the singing to improve speech but also to be with other people who understand them, to really get support from the music therapist who knows how to choose songs, adapt songs, compose songs, that are appropriate for the group."
 
With huge demand for music therapy, Chris O'Connor hopes to see more people join the profession.
 
"So many musician friends of mine would make such great music therapists, some of them have already been cornered by me."
 
 
Reference:  RNZ
www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/527406/the-power-of-music-a-secret-in-plain-sight-that-helps-bring-breakthroughs