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Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that damages the nerve cells that produce dopamine, an essential chemical for smooth muscles and movement control. Parkinson’s disease is characterized by both motor and non-motor symptoms.

It is unknown how people get Parkinson’s disease, and less than 10% cases are the result of it being genetically inherited.

In most cases, Parkinson’s disease affects people over the age of 65, but it can appear at a younger age as well.

Some of the main symptoms include:

• Tremors
• Muscle rigidity
• Slowness of movement
• Changes in balance
• Quiet voice

There are several forms of treatment for Parkinson’s disease which boost the level of dopamine in the brain. Medication comes in pill form, injection or administered directly into the small intestine via a tube.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has released an aged care specific covid infographic update with data from 5 September 2022.

As of today 7 September, there are 12,270 active cases in the state of Victoria with 2,237 new cases.

Covid cases are slowly decreasing but it’s still important to make sure you’re protected by social distancing where possible or wearing a mask where social distancing is not possible or on public transport, cleaning hands frequently, self-isolating when you develop symptoms or test positive.

This week is Women’s Health Week, which is focused on boosting the health and wellbeing of Australian Women and gender diverse people.
The Woman’s Health Week website features lots of useful topics, resources and tips.
• Health checks
• Menopause and perimenopause
• Pelvic floor health and pelvic pain
• Mental wellbeing and brain health
• Physical activity

View the all the resources here: https://www.womenshealthweek.com.au/get-involved/health-resources/

Assistive technology is any item, equipment or software that can be used to increase functional capabilities of the user. The following is a list of assistive technology that is available but not limited to these items.

• Mobility aids such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes, prosthetics, orthotics.
• Hearing aids.
• Home modifications such as ramps, handrails, wider doorways, stair lift.
• Bathroom assistive devices such as over toilet aid, and shower stool.
• Computer software, such as voice recognition, and screen enlargement.
• Adaptive switches.

We can assist seniors to source and acquire assistive technology. Call us on (03) 9863 6149 or 1300 912 155 after hours, email us at info@gihc.com.au

Prime Minister Albanese reduces the COVID-19 mandatory isolation period from 7 to 5 days for individuals who no longer show symptoms after 5 days which will come into effect September 9. However, workers in high-risk settings such as aged care and disability will continue to be permitted to isolate for 7 days. The Paid pandemic leave will be reduced to $530 for isolating for 5 days and will end all together on September 30.

Daniel Andrews has announced that the Victorian Government will invest $270 million to fund University studies for all new domestic students enrolling in a professional-entry nursing and midwifery course in 2023 and 2024 as a scholarship of up to $16,500 to cover the full amount of course costs to make it easier to fill rosters and allow more nurses to take up flexible work arrangements.

Students will receive $9000 over their three years of study and the remaining $7500 would be paid off if they work in Victorian public health services for two years.

The package also includes:

• Scholarships for postgraduate nurses to complete studies in specialty areas such as intensive care, emergency, paediatrics and cancer care – worth an average of $10,000
• $11,000 scholarships for enrolled nurses to become registered nurses, covering course costs and boosting the number of registered nurses
• $12,000 scholarships to support training and employment of 100 new Nurse Practitioners in both acute and community settings
• More than $20 million to provide more support to the growing numbers of graduates and postgraduates as they transition to working in our hospitals – ensuring they have access to the clincial educators, preceptors and study time they need.
You can view all the details of Daniel Andrew’s Media release from August 28 

The aim of World Alzheimer’s month is to raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s and dementia. Many people still wrongly believe that dementia is a normal ageing. We want to spread awareness to the warning signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia. By recognising these signs early, people can benefit from information, support, and treatments.

Some common symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia includes:
• Memory loss
• Difficulty with activities requiring coordination
• Problems with language
• Disorientation to time and place
• Misinterpretation of information
• Problems keeping track of things
• Lack of interest or ability to begin activities

In October 2022, a new funding model (AN-ACC) will be replacing the current funding model for residential aged care (ACFI). The AN-ACC assessment tool has been purpose-designed to capture those resident characteristics that best predict the costs of care to meet resident needs more accurately that the current ACFI model.

The department of Health and Aged Care has released the AN-ACC funding and care minutes estimator to give providers an estimate on potential funding and care minutes targets for residential aged care facilities. The estimator can be accessed here: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/an-acc-funding-and-care-minutes-estimator/estimator

The Government funded trial that involved setting up CCTV cameras in residential aged care facilities to detect when patients have accidents such as falling over or other incidents between workers and residents. However, the artificial intelligence that was used in these cameras to detect these incidents was not able to distinguish the difference between a resident kneeling down and having fallen, therefore causing thousands of false alarms, ultimately leading to the failure of the trial.

Advocates say that despite this failure, this idea should not be ruled out and it’s worth exploring more options to tackle these issues.

The Victorian Government opposition pledges to offer free public transport for healthcare workers for the next four years, if elected in the November.

This will help those health care workers that rely on public transport to get to work, however many need a car to get to work because of their work locations and hours of employment.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Victorian secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said that it would be more helpful if Victorians could be encouraged to wear masks in the community to reduce the rate of covid infections relieve pressure on the health care sector.