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The 7 A’s of dementia can help us understand how dementia affects the brain.

Not everyone with dementia experiences all the A’s and symptoms may be different for every person.

Anosognosia: Inability to recognise that something is wrong

Amnesia: Memory loss, beginning with short-term memory

Aphasia: Loss of ability to use language

Agnosia: Inability to recognise objects by using the senses

Apraxia: Difficulty with activities requiring coordination

Altered Perceptions: Misinterpretation of information from senses

Apathy: Lack of interest or ability to begin activities

You are in flow state when you are so absorbed in something that you forget everything else around you. As a result, you do not experience many thoughts about yourself or your performance. This is sometimes referred to as “in the zone”.

There are many ways people can achieve a state of flow such as art, puzzles, gardening, games., reading, which differs from person to person.

A study was done during covid 19 lockdowns, finding that all the participants engaging in activities that required skill and engagement, reduced feelings of loneliness despite their isolation.

Finding activities to achieve a flow state can be very useful for seniors to combat loneliness and keep their brain active to prevent dementia.

The study can be found here: https://www.goodnet.org/articles/how-to-reduce-loneliness-through-flow

Diagram by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

#flow #flowstate #flowstateofmind # agedcare #respitecare #palliativecare #agedplus #brain #memory #homecare #dementiacare #healthcare #support #carersaustralia #caregiver #incontinence #elderlycare #mentalhealth #nurse #caregivers #homecareservices #dementia

My Aged Care can be contacted through a free Auslan video interpreting service.

Upon making a booking, My aged care will set you up a three-way video with an Auslan interpreter and a My Aged Care agent to answer any queries.

Bookings can be made by calling 1300 773 803 or emailing interpreting@deafconnect.org.au. Be sure to get in contact well in advance to ensure an interpreter is available.

For information about our services visit our website at gihc.com.au, Call us on (03) 9863 6149 or 1300 912 155 after hours, email us at info@gihc.com.au

A new law has been passed by the Albanese government requiring registered nurses to be on site 24 hours a day at all aged care facilities.

The Albanese government suggests that for issues a nurse can solve on the spot, thousands of trips to hospital emergency departments will be avoided, saving both stress and money.

Aged & Community Care Providers Association interim chief executive Paul Sadler said one in five providers, totalling 500 aged care homes, would simply not be able to put a nurse on every day and would also struggle on weekends during this staffing crisis. Many providers are likely to seek exemptions as they struggle to fill shifts.

For information about our services visit our website at gihc.com.au, Call us on (03) 9863 6149 or 1300 912 155 after hours, email us at info@gihc.com.au

My Aged Care has released an Operational manual for Home Care Package consumers, which explains in detail what can and cannot be purchased with Home Care Package funds.

Home Care Package funds should only be used for care and services that meet individual’s care needs, personal goals, optimize your health and wellbeing, help you to live safely and independently in your own home, as set out in their My Aged Care support plan and care plan.

HCP funds can also be used to purchase telehealth, assistive technology, as well as aids and equipment that assists a person to perform daily living skills.

What can’t HCP funds be used for?

HCP funds shall not be used to purchase items or services that are not necessary to optimizing the health, safety, and independence of clients in their own home. This includes items that would normally be purchased out of general income; take-away meals, mortgage payments, rent, entertainment activities, gambling activities, home modifications not related to care needs, & more.

If a specific care or services is not listed, you will need to work with your provider to determine whether is it a necessary for you to live safely and independently at home.

Visit the Operational manual for Home Care Package consumers for a comprehensive list of products and services which are part of the inclusions and exclusions. Find the manual here: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-09/operational-manual-for-home-care-package-consumers.pdf

For information about our services visit our website at gihc.com.au, Call us on (03) 9863 6149 or 1300 912 155 after hours, email us at info@gihc.com.au

Transport support services support individuals to travel to places they want or need to go to. Restrictions on the travel of seniors can lead to loneliness, which can develop into more serious issues. It might also be the case that seniors need to go to see a doctor or pick up medication and failing to do so could be a major problem. Providers that assist with helping seniors access the community can help them stay connected with the community and prevent the negative effects of loneliness.

At GIHC, our support workers can take clients to doctors appointments, visit family and friends, attend events, go to the pharmacy, go shopping etc. In addition to transport services, we provide companionship & social support, and shopping support so that clients can be accompanied by their support worker and feel at ease at any of these places.

We also have a cab charge card service for clients, so they can have the freedom to travel to any place on their own. We top up individual cab cards for clients and they can simply pay for their trip with that card.

For information about our services visit our website at gihc.com.au, Call us on (03) 9863 6149 or 1300 912 155 after hours, email us at info@gihc.com.au

Physiotherapists can help identify, diagnose, and treat movement problems. Perhaps you have fallen recently, are scared of falling, have difficulty walking, not feeling steady, feeling restricted, have pain in muscles/joints, or require rehabilitation. A physiotherapist can help improve wellbeing by reducing painful movement.

A list of activities that physiotherapists can help with:
• Identify and treat various physical ailments
• Designing treatment plans
• implementing therapeutic exercise programs
• utilizing specialist techniques to treat different injuries
• Data collection and analysis
• Report writing
• Interacting with other health professionals such as doctors, therapists, and nurses
• Educate and train patients and carers
• Use the most current industry knowledge and treatments
Gratitude In-Home Care provides Allied health services including Occupational therapy and Physiotherapy.
Prior to providing services, we will visit the client’s home and conduct a free home safety assessment and decide whether safety measures need to be put in place, such as non-slip mats in the bathroom, handrails, and lights.

For information about our services visit our website at gihc.com.au, Call us on (03) 9863 6149 or 1300 912 155 after hours, email us at info@gihc.com.au

Dieticians can help with many issues which relate to the food we ingest, or maybe you’re healthy but curious to know what/how you’re eating is right for your health. Here is a list of things dieticians can help with:
• I have High cholesterol.
• I have Digestive issues
• I am always hungry/ I have a lack of appetite
• I often get sick
• I need help with planning meals
• I am tired even with 8+ hours of sleep
• I have difficulty with my weight
• I have a chronic disease. E.g. diabetes, IBS, high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease, cancer, IBD.
• I am unsure what I should be eating
• I have food allergies, gastrointestinal issues.
To find a dietitian, visit dietitians Australia: https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/
Visit our blog: http://www.gihc.com.au/blog for more.
For information about our services visit our website at gihc.com.au, Call us on (03) 9863 6149 or 1300 912 155 after hours, email us at info@gihc.com.au

Your medicines should be reviewed regularly (usually once a year) to check that they are right for you.

When you are first prescribed a medicine, your doctor, pharmacist and/or nurse checks that it is the best medicine for you. However, things can change, for example:
• You might have developed a side effect from the medicine.
• Your health might have changed, such as developing a long-term condition.
• You might have started taking other additional medicines.
• The guidelines for treating your condition might have changed.
• You may be taking a large number of medications (known as “polypharmacy”).
• A medication you are on may be no longer essential for your health day to day.
All of these factors can affect whether a medicine remains the best choice for you.

Falls are Australia’s largest contributor to hospitalised injuries and a leading cause of injury deaths.

• Repair or remove tripping hazards
• Clean up clutter
• Install grab bars and handrails
• Install bright lights
• Stay physically active
• Have your eyes and hearing tested
• Find out about the side effects of any medicine you take
• Get enough sleep.
• Stand up slowly
• Use an assistive device if you need help feeling steady when you walk.
• Always tell your doctor if you have fallen since your last checkup, even if you aren’t hurt when you fall.

Prior to providing services, we will visit the client’s home and conduct a free home safety assessment and decide whether safety measures need to be put in place, such as non-slip mats in the bathroom, handrails, and lights.

We offer the following services:
• Personal care
• palliative care
• Overnight & 24-hour care
• Respite care
• Medication assistance
• Nursing services
• After hospital care
• Companionship
• Shopping support and meal preparation
• Gardening and home maintenance
• Transport support
• Assistance with household tasks
• Community access
• Allied Health Services