For those living in Brisbane there are a couple of events to look forward to.

The Senior’s Week 2009 will be held from Saturday August 23rd to Sunday August 31st  and the ‘Bridge to Brisbane’ fun run that takes place on August 30th. The Senior’s Week has various fun programs for our elders ranging from rather daring to very safe. Look out for the program from next week onwards.

I shall be participating on the ‘Bridge to Brisbane’ fun run along with a few of my work colleagues and our manager. It is a worthy cause. See you there!

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27/06/2009 - Update:

Due to the overwhelming response I have received since first launching in 2007, I have spent the past 6 months working on a bigger and better site:
Welcome to the new Golden Carers website!

I have received hundreds of emails from colleagues in the industry asking for all sorts of help, especially documentation. There is clearly a need for more support, resources and ideas for carers.

For this reason, I have decided to cut back on my hours as a Diversional Therapist and dedicate a lot more time to our community via this website. To enable me to do this, I have introduced a small yearly subscription fee of $30 for the ongoing maintenance and continued growth of this website.

The new site has many new categories including care plans, special calendar activities, multi-cultural activities, assessment & evaluation of documents, care plans for CALD residents, newsletters and dementia activities.

I will be taking all your feedback and requests on board and releasing new documents on a weekly basis to subscription members.

Thank you for your support and enthusiasm.

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The Four Corners program on ABC TV last week was very disturbing indeed. Despite the 4 cases they describe being extreme cases I didn’t know for example the Nursing homes in 'Australia can avoid being named and shamed by simply agreeing to improve their standard of care. In order to be named the home must be sanctioned by the Department. In 2008 that happened just 14 times. That means, for the general public, there is no comprehensive way to check the number of complaints made against an individual nursing home'. How many more Nursing homes needed to be sanctioned and weren’t?

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Students in California have been told to fold their arms and sneeze in the crook of their elbows in what they dubbed ‘Dracula Sneeze’. They[ve been told sneezing in this way will help prevent the spread of the 'Swine Flu' or Influenza A as it is now called. I can add to that and advise that students, adults and children should wash their hands often and stay away from public places if they feel sick. A good rule of thumb to washing hands is to sing ‘Happy Birthday” as you go on lathering your hands, when you finish the song it’s then time to rinse. Cheers!

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Last month I attended a seminar on “Culture & Alzheimer” at the QUT campus. The presenter was Professor Carole Cox of Fordham University, New York. Mrs Cox elaborated on the role of culture in shaping perceptions and beliefs in response to cognitive impairment and dementia. She had various examples of how cultures differ, in its attitudes, values and prejudices. Therefore, she continues there is urgency for the Aged Care Industry to develop appropriate cultural interventions with a ‘Cultural Sensitive’ diagnostic tool (which apparently is on the making). She emphasized the importance for staff to become culturally competent to cater for different groups’ specific needs and concerns. She had tips on how to incorporate culture into care. Most interesting was the Q & A when we found out that the industry in the USA is in a very similar stage as our own in Australia.

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I assume that by now everybody in our industry has noticed that there has been a change in the profile of residents going into care in the past few years. There are many factors to this change; one of them is the generous support of governmental programs assisting caregivers and elderly citizens. That means that people being placed in aged care facilities are older, often with multiple medical needs. The implication for Recreation Therapists and other health staff is that this new profile of residents makes participation, cooperation and compliance so much harder to achieve. If you work in a high care facility it is even harder. The best way I found to seek engagement from participants in any activity is to have small groups to start with. Four to six people are easier to encourage and enthuse in my experience. Participants have the advantage of hearing you better, to have speedy assistance when needed and to have the coziness and the privacy only small groups can offer. What are your thoughts? Are you successful with small groups?

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If you would like to donate to the victims of Victoria's bush fires or North Queensland's floods - visit the Red Cross website. Remember, they are also in need of blood donations, volunteers for fundraising and other tasks. It would be nice if everyone could help.

Cheers

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Last week I was listening to ABC radio when Margaret Throsby introduced her morning guest; Dr. Michael J. Valenzuela, Research Fellow at the School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales. Dr. Valenzuela has written a book called “It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Mind’. Using the latest research Dr. Valenzuela explain Dementia; what it is and what causes it. He also gives advice on how to avoid it. He advocates the importance of having a health heart because there is a link between vascular health and dementia. He goes on to explain that diabetes and high cholesterol are linked with dementia as well. What I really found exciting was the fact that Dr. Valenzuela suggests mental activities that promotes brain growth! I have ordered the book and I intend to pass on his advice to you in the future.

Cheers

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Stress, it could be said is inherently entrenched in everybody's life. Experts say that certain kind of stress can be beneficial to some people inducing them to make decisions to move on in life among other things. However for a lot of people it is a debilitating state of health that has a harmful effect on the general  health and functioning of the body. There must be hundreds of ways of coping with stress and I would like to share with you a few tips that I go by.

1) Be positive about yourself and the day ahead.
2) Remember to keep things simple.
3) Be present to everything you do; if you a making a cup of coffee, enjoy doing it.
4) Be aware of your needs. Don't let  them be mixed up with your desires.
5) Do one thing at the time.
6) Avoid procrastination; do the unpleasant things first (no one is going to do them for you anyway) and get them out of the way.
7) If something during the day goes wrong try to find a hidden blessing.
8) Be flexible and forgiving; nobody is perfect.
9) When making new friends stick with the serene people.
10) Be thankful for what you have.

Good Luck!

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Quizzes are wonderful tools to exercise our brains. The more you do it the better you get at it. I have included some examples of quizzes for carers at home and institutional facilities. Don’t assume that elderly people ‘forgets everything’. Remember that statistically only one in five people get dementia, so there are a lot of people out there who are in need of mental stimulation.

‘Opposite Attract’ and ‘Synonyms’ quizzes can be very addictive. Another idea is to have a ‘Letter Quiz’. I have three examples that you can download to start you off and then you can make your own. It is not hard if you use the dictionary. Go to Recreational Activities’ to download examples.

Cheers

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Hi there, to commemorate her birthday , actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan 's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. Julie commemorated her 69th birthday.One of the musical numbers she performed was 'My Favorite Things' from the legendary movie 'Sound Of Music'. Here are the lyrics she used:

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

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CONFLICT IN THE WORKPLACE

Inevitability of conflict

Conflict is pervasive in all layers of society. It is part of life. Conflict is rooted in real and perceived differences of interests according to the position which individuals occupy in a social system. Conflicts can be psychological or cultural when it focuses on the perceptions, beliefs and behaviour of the parties involved. The causes of conflict are varied: economic, political repression, ethnic, religious and hatred.

For this purpose I will concentrate in conflict in the workplace. Conflict in the workplace translates into bullying, intimidation, sexual harassment, psychological torture, ostracism and other kinds of discrimination.

The definition of workplace bullying could be said that it is the repeated inappropriate behaviour, direct or indirect, verbal, physical or otherwise, conducted by one or more person against an individual or more at the place of employment. It is a serious social condition that should not be tolerated.

It is reported that half of the adult population has experienced some type of discrimination in the workplace. This sort of reports is just recently being investigated and information and legislation is still being sought to help solve some of the problems.

Bullying can be perpetrated by employees to employees, employees to subordinates and subordinates to supervisors. The most common are the supervisors towards subordinates where the principle relating to bullying applies with greater force because of the power and authority the supervisor has over the subordinate. Usually this kind of discrimination is directed at people because they are weaker, or from a different race and/or colour, religion, gender. The perpetrator acts abusively and disrespectful to the victim by offending, degrading and humiliating. This sort of behaviour can undermine morale and productivity and damage the health of employees.

The workplace is a very important part of our lives as most of us spend a great deal of time at work. So much of our sense of identity depends on how happy we are with our relationships at work. People need to feel respected and treated with dignity.

Bullying if not stopped can lead to violence and/or ill health. However often there is no violence, just a relentless ‘picking’ on someone by one or more people. To be ‘picked on’ by somebody signifies that a person is having his efforts undervalued, is being public humiliated and teased. It can also get nasty and the victim may be removed from a position of responsibility without consultation, or given unrealistic dead lines, and treated in a demeaning and condescending way. Some times bullying can be very subtle; the perpetrator may use negative facial expression and ostracism. There are also some cases where employees join forces to undermine a superior. In this case, employees act in a subtle way as well but fail to carry out instructions or carry them out poorly and interrupt the superior at meetings at inadequate times.

Employers should be aware that bullying and intimidation couldn’t happen unless there is a climate that allows it to flourish. If that is the case, conflicts will go unreported and both employer and employees will find themselves in a lose-lose situation. The result is health breakdown, lethargy, anger and loss of productivity, loss of confidence and lack of motivation.

Organisations that ignore conflicts at work hoping it will go away are disappointed because it only gets worse. An employee that gets away with acting disrespectfully towards co-workers can prompt others to act as ‘copycats’.

Bullying and all other kinds of harassment should be nipped in the bud as soon as possible. Timing is crucial, the nature of bullying can be very debilitating and if action is delayed, it can lead to violence and/or irreparable damage to employee’s relations.

Many companies have a ‘Work Place Conduct Policy’ where it spells out procedures for reporting and investigating concerns about inappropriate behaviour. The 'Anti-Discrimination Commission of Queensland' is the government body responsible for the legislation and investigation of workplace conflicts. Its role is to "uphold the basic right of all people to fair treatment no matter what their circumstances or background". Prevention is the best policy; however prevention can be difficult because it often involves changing the very culture of the workplace.

Education is a good start to change the culture and attitude of workers.Education will make perpetrators aware of the plight of the victim and its consequence relating to health and stress problems. Education will also teach managers and supervisors to know their role in reporting, documenting and investigating cases. It will make them aware of the importance of role modelling in the work place. All employees will know their rights and responsibilities so that they can demand to be treated with respect and dignity.

If the workplace “Code of Conduct” fails to help, there is always the federal and state legislation regarding Anti-discrimination and Sexual Harassment Board, the WorkPlace Health and Safety Legislation and the Trade Union. Legislation will raise public consciousness to the fact that bullying is not a private matter but a public issue. These organs will give practical guidance and provide organisations with a reference point from which to offer advice and assistance.

A world free of hostility is probably impossible but a hostility-free workplace should be feasible with vigilance and a little tact to the benefit of employer and employees.

Cheers, Solange

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When a resident is on assessment it is vital that it is communicated to all staff. It is very important to complete each assessment properly in order to provide appropriate care and also to ensure that you receive the correct funding for each resident.

Staff needs to be aware that everything that seems out of the ordinary has to be reported and documented. By saying ‘all staff’ I mean everyone working in the facility while assessment is in progress. If you are on a short shift or long shift, if you are a casual or permanent employee, whether you are the Diversional therapist, nurse, cook, handyman, cleaner or volunteer; be alert to anything atypical regarding the resident on assessment. If you are not able to document yourself report the situation to senior staff. If you witness something that you are not sure it is relevant, ask a senior staff member or report it to management.

Cheers

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Good documentation has many advantages.

One of them is to assist in good communication. Another is keep the Health Department at bay by ensuring that you are complying with the Government Standards by providing professional documentation to meet residents’ needs.

When it comes to activities, fine documentation makes good practice. For instance, very often facilities do not have enough recreation staff and when they go on leave mayhem may ensue with other staff members (nurses, volunteers) trying to coordinate activities lest the residents start to get restless.

I have made a small sample of ‘D.T. Working Instructions & Procedures’ which is based on the one I use. You may download this document and adjust/change to suit the management requirements of your facility. I hope you make good use of it.

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Last November the annual ‘National Dementia & Recreation Conference’ took place in Melbourne. Attending were some 500 members of the health profession; doctors, managers and recreational therapists. A number of excellent speakers presented a range of topics over two days. The focus of the conference was on the challenges of delivering meaningful and diverse recreation programs to clients. On the first day the emphasis was on ‘exploring possibilities’. The audience was stimulated to be open to new ideas as well as to critically review their practices and discard some old ones. We talked at length about the five basic needs of clients with dementia as identified by Dr Tom Kitwood. Those needs were: comfort, attachment, identity, inclusion and occupation and can be used to guide our thinking when we consider the types of recreational activities people with dementia may find positive and pleasurable. On the second day the topics were all about news research, legal concerns, volunteer’s program updates and cultural considerations. I was pleased to recognise that my work place is pretty current.

One interesting part of the news research was the ‘Virtual Music Instrument (VMI) which is a software program developed by Dr Tom Chau at Bloorview MacMillan Children’s Centre in Toronto, Canada. The VMI software requires a computer and a TV. When in action the TV will show coloured patterns on the screen which will generate musical sounds depending on the action of the user. For instance: if the user touches one shape on the screen and click his fingers he will hear a soft pleasant music and if claps his hands loudly the musical sound will be much higher. The system was introduced to Australia by David Hobbs to be used with handicapped children. David demonstrated the VMI to a small group of War Veterans last year and found that the system would also have huge potential for use in Aged Care settings. The leisure and lifestyle area would benefit from it as well as Physiotherapists; to use with clients who are resistive to exercises and movement. I certainly could use it with my clients.

Overall the Conference was a well worth exercise; I talked to various colleagues and was able to ascertain how lucky I am in my current job.

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Next week we celebrate Australia Day and at work we are preparing for a day full of music and fun. The residents have been busy painting paper templates of koalas, kangaroos, possums and other Aussie animals which staff are laminating and hanging around the facility in line with the theme. The action will start in the morning just after breakfast. The residents will be escorted to the recreation room where they will be seated around a large table to watch staff making the dumper. Throughout the day we will have Aussie sing-a-longs, Two-Up games, carpet bowls and wheel of fortune games; not forgetting the typical Aussie Barbie at lunch time with rissoles, sausages and steaks. If you have an activity that works for you could you please share it with us? Cheers

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Hi there,

I just arrived from my trip to Brazil. I had a wonderful time touring the Pantanal (wet lands) in Mato Grosso do Sul and the Iguassu Falls plus one exciting week in Rio. It was sensational!

Now it is back to work and I will catch up with those who send me messages and asked questions.

Happy New Year!

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Hi,

I just added a couple more activities for Dementia before I go on holidays. I am off to Brazil tomorrow morning to see my family. I wish you all a great Festive Season and a fabulous New Year! I hope to visit Nursing Homes in Brazil to report to you in January.

So long.

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Hi,

Last week I attended the Total Aged Care ‘Dementia & Recreation’ Conference in Melbourne. This first day was for me very monotonous and repetitive with presenters going over some basic subjects for the umpteen times. The second day was more informative and interesting with updates on insurance, recreational research, multicultural issues and integration x segregation. Overall, it was worthwhile.

On the same subject, there were a lot of companies selling their wares, books, games, music and videos. I made a very silly mistake which I would like to relate so you can learn from my experience. I bought a CD without first listening to it. The CD in question had the grand title of ‘Catching Dust in Mid Air’. The melodies and lyrics were supposed to have been composed by carers of dementia people. Great idea! However the CD is in my opinion appallingly bad; silly lyrics, over the top melodies and strident singers aiming at high notes they can’t reach. Disappointing! Beware of un-listened CDs!!

Cheers,

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Hi, I have just added a couple of music activities in ‘Activities for people with Dementia” and here are some suggestions to be carried out by carers/nurses/volunteers

• Singing with clients as they are dressed in the mornings
• Tuning radio to suit clients preferences
• Using music as a strategy to distract from unacceptable behaviour
• Engaging clients in responding to music: Clapping, tapping and moving.
• Using music to enhance exercises
• Using music for reality orientation
• Instructing and encouraging on how too use percussion instruments

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Hi! The title of the conference promises a lot. I am certainly always looking for new ways to motivate and excite dementia sufferers. I will be attending the ‘Dementia & Recreation National Conference 2007’ next month in Melbourne (Thursday & Friday –November 15 & 16/2007). I am looking forward to meet some of my colleagues there. For more information click: http://www.totalagedservices.com.au/workshops_conferences.asp

Venue
Grand Waldorf Ballroom
The Sebel Albert Park
65 Queens Road
Melbourne Victoria
Australia 3004

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Here as the samples promised. I have used both of them in the past. The format is a matter of choice. Sample 1 is suitable to residents from a multicultural background and sample 2 for English speaking residents. If in doubt when doing care plans consult with the manager or RN Consultant or better still, participate in the ‘Case Conference’ of your clients. Have fun

How to write a care plan

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Conversation is one of the best ways to communicate with clients. However to gain the trust and respect of clients there are a few things we should remember.

Most people have three distinct needs in common:

1. the need to feel important
2. the need to feel appreciated
3. the need to be understood.

• Use good attitude when greeting – make the client feel you are pleased to be there.
• Maintain eye contact
• Smile
• Listen carefully and empathetically
• Remember names (very important)
• Show courtesy
• Express thanks

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Here is some information that may be of interest:

Translating Research into Practice
As part of the 2007 Dementia Awareness Month (DAM) which runs from the 17 September to 17 October, Professor Kenneth Rockwood, from Dalhousie University, Canada will illustrate the theme
'Translating Research into Practice'.
State Library of QLD Theatre, Brisbane, Qld.
Tuesday 25 September, 9am to 12pm.

Culture and Mental Health
8 October 2007, 9:00am - 4:30pm
Greek Club and Convention Centre
South Brisbane

Some of the above are being repeated in other states; I'll keep you posted!

The Queensland Multicultural Festival/07 will be held at Roma St. Parkland on October 14th from 9am till 7pm. Entry is free and I can assure you that if it is anything like last year's event it will be fantastic.

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Hi, last May I was offered the opportunity to go to Townsville for a Diversional Therapists Workshop held by  Diversicare Community Partners Program and ECCQ's Multicultural Advisory Service.
I had to prepare a talk on 'Cultural & Linguistic Diversity in Multicultural Facilities' and 'Assessment of Clients in Multicultural Facilities' Some of the  people attending the Workshop asked me for a copy of my notes and I had none at the time. I promised to put it on the web and there it is. I hope it can be of some use.

Read my article on 'Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Multicultural Facilities' and 'Assessment of Clients in Multicultural Facilities'.

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For those who inquired about the ‘Care Plan’ sample; I am sorry I haven’t been able to do it as yet. One of my colleagues is on leave and I took some of her shifts which leave me with time for little else.

I’ll get into it as soon as I can.

I am very interested in hearing from carers based at home. What sort of activities work for you and what sort of challenges you have.

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I am just letting you know that the ‘Activities’ are now printable and the Volunteer’s Handbook sample is also ready to be downloaded.

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I have just been thinking that bus trips are one of the most popular and most rewarding
activities for residents. The excitement and energy and happy, relaxed faces is a real pleasure to observe.

I am always on the look out for new venues to go In Brisbane, I am very impressed with the New Farm Park for a BBQ or picnic and Scarborough Beach in Redcliffe for fish & chips and a stroll on the esplanade.

If you know of a great place, park or restaurant please let me know. I intend to have a special page on my website with suggestions for good community outings; not only in Brisbane but in all the other states as well. Cheers!

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I just read an amazing story about a cat in a Nursing Home in the USA that can predict the death of residents. The cat, Oscar, who isn’t even very social, seems to have a sixth sense. He has ‘predicted’ more than 25 deaths in the Nursing Home by seeking the company of those near the end of life. It has come to a point where health staff will call the patient’s relatives when Oscar is found sitting on their beds.

I find this fascinating and I will soon be writing an article on Pet Therapy. I would like to hear other people’s experience on this subject.

Read the full article on Oscar on the link below and don’t forget to listen to the 2 minutes audio. Very interesting! http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/26/1989518.htm

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Welcome to the Golden Carers Blog. Thanks to all of you who have sent through lovely comments, it is much appreciated. This website is a work in progress and I am keen to hear all your suggestions.

Based on the feedback I have received so far I am currently working on a sample Care Plan as well as a 'Volunteer Booklet'. This will be available in the coming days.

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