Elder Care Service

Excellentiam aims to assist high quality Intensive Care Unit’s at home. Finding an ICU at home can be very taxing, both emotionally and monetarily. Excellentiam bridges this gap by providing the most complete and sound supportive critical care at home.

Home-basedcare is where healing happens best are for Patients who are no longer in the acute phase of their illness but still require intensive care.

ICUatHome services include the care and supervision of highly trained critical care therapists, experts and nurses and at a significantly and comparatively lower price than that of a hospital stays.

Our clinical procedures have been developed in consultation with leading hospitals and renowned experts, ensuring the highest quality medical care. We make critical care at home a great choice for the patient and her family.

When Do You Need Critical intensive Care?

When a family member essentially needs anextended or long term ICU care, a lot of doctors and hospitals advise for such care to be provided at home if possible, in case there are no active interventions to be done.

The patient is happier at home and healing can happen without the threat of hospital acquired infections. This is financially easier for the family as well considering such care at home comes at least 20-35% cheaper than in a hospital.

Equipment used in Critical Care

Equipment used in an Intensive Care Unit ranges from familiar equipment, such as blood pressure monitors, to highly specialized devices, such as dialysis machines. Here you will find straightforward explanations of some of the most commonly used equipment.

The information contained on these pages is general in nature and therefore cannot reflect individual patient circumstances. If you are concerned or unsure about anything you read, please ask the healthcare professionals caring for your family member or friend.

• Beds
• ICU Bedside Monitors
• Ventilator
• Endotracheal Tube (ETT or Breathing Tube)
• Intravenous Infusion Pump
• Syringe Driver / Syringe Pump
• Nasogastric Tubes (NG Tube)
• Indwelling Urinary Catheter (IDC)
• Saturation Monitor
• Sequential Compression Devices
• Central Venous Catheters (CVC)
• Resuscitator Bag
• Blood Pressure Cuff

DISCLAIMER

The information on this page is general in nature and cannot reflect individual patient variation. It reflects standard intensive care practice, which may differ from that in other countries. It is intended as a supplement to the more specific information provided by the doctors and nurses caring for your loved one. ICNSW attests to the accuracy of the information contained here but takes no responsibility for how it may apply to an individual patient. Please refer to the full disclaimer.

As we age our body inevitably goes through many physical changes. These natural ages related changes include reduced bone density, reduced muscle strength, increased body fat, poorer coordination and stiffer joints. These normal effects of ageing can affect older people’s mobility and balance and make them more likely to fall and break bones. Older people also become more susceptible illness such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, arthritis and lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. All of this can have a big impact on their daily lives and reduce their independence. For example elderly people often feel that they are not as quick and steady on their feet as they used to be and find that stairs are more difficult. This can then affect their ability to get out and about and lead to reduced independence.

However, we do not have to accept this as an inevitable part of ageing. While physiotherapy cannot stop ageing it can help to reduce the impact that it has on our bodies and our lives. Physiotherapists are trained to identify physical and other factors that prevent people from being as active and independent as they can be, and then they find ways of overcoming them. This makes them ideally placed to help older people stay as active as they can be. In fact physiotherapy has been shown to improve many of the factors associated with ageing including strength, balance, coordination, flexibility and pain levels. Ultimately physiotherapy has been proven by research to help older adults to maintain their health, well-being, functional ability and independence.

Physiotherapy has been shown to improve many of the factors associated with ageing including strength, balance, coordination, flexibility and pain levels— Janet Levingstone – Chartered Physiotherapist.

Physiotherapists can provide advice on how to safely exercise so that older people can realise the benefits of exercise. Studies have shown that older adults who engage in regular physical activity gain many benefits including improved balance, strength, coordination, motor control, flexibility, endurance and even memory. Exercise can also help to reduce the risk and impact of illnesses that are more likely to affect older people. Research also shows how effective physiotherapists are at treating and preventing joint problems, balance disorders, risk of falls, strength decline and reducing high blood pressure and obesity.

If you decide that you could benefit from physiotherapy your physiotherapist should start by carrying out a detailed assessment to determine the specific areas that may be having an impact you. This assessment would typically include looking at your strength, range of movement, balance and walking.

Together you and your physiotherapist will set specific goals to help you address the areas that are difficult for you. They will then use this information to design a tailor made program.

Physiotherapy interventions that are proven to be effective for older people include stretching and strengthening exercise programs and practicing activities that challenge balance. They can also provide equipment such as walking aids to facilitate independent living. Ultimately they will work with you to ensure that you can remain as independent as possible.

We at ‘Excellentiam Elderly Care are strongly suggesting to all our Elderly People to be in constant guidance of reputed Physiotherapist.

Consultation with Nutritionist is the key to maintain a healthy life and that can help to avoid hospitalization largely for all. We at Excellentiam Elderly Care strongly suggest being in constant guidance of a reputed Nutritionist all the time.

During the “golden years,” good nutrition is just as important as ever. But, many older adults become malnourished for a variety of reasons. If you or someone you care for is having trouble getting proper nutrition, here are some practical tips.

Malnutrition and Older Adults
While many people seem to focus their diets solely around trying to lose weight and prevent disease, the nutrition problems facing the elderly can be quite different.

For many elders, it is not a matter of eating too much, but rather a matter of not getting enough. And this all comes at a time of life when getting adequate nutrition—including protein, fiber, hydration, vitamins, and minerals—may be more difficult.Adding to the problem is that many older people deal with a variety of chronic medical conditions. These conditions can contribute to poor nutrition and can also be worsened by poor nutrition.

Contributing Factors
Several factors can cause malnutrition in older adults, including the following:

• Loss of appetite—Older adults lose their appetites for many reasons, such as having a medical condition, having a mental health problem, or taking certain medications.
• Decreased sense of taste and/or smell —Many of the conditions that affect older adults and the medications they take can reduce the sense of smell and taste, making it difficult and even unpleasant to eat.
• Difficulty chewing and/or swallowing—Having dental problems affects many older adults and can contribute to a vicious cycle of malnutrition. As older people become malnourished and lose weight, their dentures may not fit correctly, making it even more difficult to eat. Swallowing problems also affect many older adults, making eating difficult.
• Loss of physical strength or mobility—Elders who are frail or immobile are often unable to shop and cook. Even something as simple as opening a can of soup or a frozen dinner and putting it into the microwave can be difficult for someone who is physically limited.
• Chronic conditions and medications—Older adults often have at least one chronic condition and take several medications. These can interfere with digestion, and even absorption of certain nutrients.
• Mental and emotional factors—Mental illness, such as depression, dementia, and social isolation affect many elders and can dampen their desire and ability to eat.
• Financial insecurity—Financial problems can make it difficult for many older adults to get the nutrition they need.
Practical Tips
Although there are many reasons why older people may become malnourished, there are also many practical ways for dealing with the problem. If you or someone you care for is experiencing malnutrition or unintentional weight loss, the best first step is to see the doctor, who may be able to diagnose an underlying condition or alter a medication regimen that may be contributing to the problem. A doctor can also provide a referral to a registered dietitian, who can design a personalized eating plan. In addition, here are some everyday tips for preventing malnutrition in older adults:

Make Meals and Snacks Nutrient-dense
This means making nutrient-rich foods the focus of the meal. For example, instead of plain chicken broth, try a hearty chicken and vegetable soup. Casseroles, stews, and roasts are also good meal ideas.

Add Extra Calories Without Extra Volume
For people who have a small appetite, there are ways to boost nutrition without adding lots of extra food. For example:

• Add extra sauces, gravies, and grated cheese to entrees and side dishes.
• Stir powdered skim milk into milk, milkshakes, and cold and hot cereals.
• Add honey, molasses, or maple syrup to hot cereal.
• Sprinkle wheat germ into hot and cold cereals, and add it to baked goods, such as breads and muffins.

Use Herbs and Spices When Preparing Foods Because many elders have diminished sense of taste and smell, making food as flavorful as possible is important. Try cooking with garlic and onion powder, salt-free seasoning blends, and fresh and dried herbs, such as basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and cilantro. Make Meals Colorful and Appealing Instead of regular mashed potatoes, try mashed sweet potatoes for a colorful and nutritious boost. Instead of plain buttered noodles, try pasta with a vibrant red tomato sauce.

Serve Several Small Meals and Snacks Older people with diminished appetites are often overwhelmed by large meals, so eating smaller, more frequent meals and snacks can be less overwhelming. Do Not Fill Up on Non-nutritious Items For people with a small appetite, it is important not to fill up on things like coffee, tea, and soft drinks, which can take the place of more nutritious items. Serve up a variety of foods. Research shows that elderly adults eat more when presented with a variety of foods to choose from. Here are some strategies to increase the variety on the table:

• Strive to include foods from every food group and of all different colors.
• Invite friends over for a potluck dinner.
• Go out for a buffet-style Sunday brunch.

Make Mealtime Enjoyable and Social
When possible, invite friends or family over for meal times or visit community-based senior meal sites for social interaction during meals. Use Nutrition Supplements When Necessary While a well-balanced diet is the best bet, some people may find it easier to sip a nutrition supplement drink than to eat a meal. But, talk to your doctor or dietitian to see if this is something that you should do.

Elderly Care and Reiki Our loved ones are aging, and often plagued with health issues as a result of disease, chronic illness or simply as part of the natural aging process. Ailments that the elderly may encounter are numerous, varying from high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, feebleness, broken bones, arthritis, emphysema, hepatitis, pneumonia, stroke and cancer or to memory loss due to age-related dementia or the slow devastation of Alzheimer. Compassion Instead of Sympathy It is very tough to watch loved ones suffer or to see a once strong and independent person become helplessly dependent on others because they are unable to attend to their own personal needs. The natural emotion given them is usually sympathy. However, it is more important to extend compassion instead, which shouldn’t be confused with sympathy. True compassion is unconditional. It is having the ability to feel or to know another person’s predicament (as if you are walking in their shoes) without the need to maintain control of the situation, the person or their surrounding environment. It is the ability to let go of feeling responsible, and to resist criticizing or making rash judgments. Reiki can and does help the Elderly For practitioners of Reiki, by applying the fundamentals of unconditional compassion through energy-based healing techniques, such as Reiki, you can. 1. Help restore, energize or re-align the elderly to higher states of being – specifically the emotional, mental or spiritual levels, regardless of their declining physical condition. 2. Alleviate underlying fear or resistance. 3. Promote total relaxation. 4. Reduce pain or discomfort. 5. Promote peace of mind, plus inner harmony. 6. Increase their overall comfort level. 7. Stimulate better or more open communication. 8. Build or restore more love and trust with self and others. 9. Release old issues at the subconscious level, past or present that may prevent improvement or may impede a peaceful transition. 10. Provide more clarity and understanding so that they come to peaceful terms with their inevitable transition. Precautions for Reiki Practitioners Most Reiki practitioners are super-sensitive to the energy of others or to their surrounding environment. They easily absorb the emotions, pain or suffering of others and because of this, over time, they may also acquire lingering health conditions or experience overwhelming burnout of their own vitality. Therefore, when caring for or assisting the elderly, it is crucial to acquire a daily habit of doing grounding, cleansing and protection techniques before leaving home. Just practice a flexible and easy method that you find comfortable using. It is also crucial to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. If you are ill (such as cold, flu, cancer or any other disease) or if you experience a decline in energy, avoid applying Reiki on the elderly (or anyone else) until you feel balanced or have recuperated back to your normal state. During this time, only apply Reiki to yourself to stimulate faster healing. For Reiki practitioners who are not just super-sensitive to energies, but instead are super-super-sensitive, it is equally important to monitor your over-all well-being throughout the day and to repeat grounding, cleansing and protection techniques as required. Also, be sure to drink lots of water for re-hydration and to eat regular meals fortified with protein. Look for telltale signs such as: a. Oncoming headache b. Feeling aches or pain that are not yours c. Feeling worse coming out of a building than when going in (such as a hospital or care facility or large shopping mall) d. Feeling stressed for no apparent reason e. Unusual tiredness f. Feeling overly anxious or tense g. Feeling suddenly overwhelmed or out-of-sorts h. Getting grouchy or bad-tempered i Feeling spaced-out, light-headed or dizzy Choose Approprvkevnfvniate Reiki Method For the most beneficial results, Reiki treatment can be scaled as follows: Best – Direct hands-on body placement Better – No touch, hands-off body placement (hands held slightly above body) Good – Distant/absentee treatment Best – Lying down for complete hands-on treatment Better – Chair method, partial treatment Good – Distant/absentee treatment But when treating the elderly it may be necessary to adapt and improvise to the specific needs or circumstances of each individual. Follow the directive of your spirit healing team and pay attention to your intuition. The elderly may be bed-ridden or bound to a wheelchair or may constantly suffer debilitating pain or discomfort. It may be impossible to access all sides of the bed-ridden; therefore you will need to improvise your technique as required. For situations involving pain or discomfort, it will be necessary to use the hands-off Reiki method in which the practitioner’s hands are always placed slightly above the body instead of using direct touch. Permission For the elderly who are mentally incapacitated or confined to a hospital, geriatric ward or an elderly care facility, it may be necessary to acquire consent from the attending physician despite receiving an invitation from family members. Be sure to first check with the appropriate staff. Set Focus and Intention Reiki practitioners should never feel obligated, promise or assume that they can permanently heal or “fix” the elderly. Instead, only offer assistance to alleviate pain or discomfort or to give added comfort and relaxation or in the case of imminent death, to support a peaceful transition. 1. Before doing a Reiki treatment on the elderly be sure to ground, cleanse and protect yourself. 2. Depending on the circumstances, decide on an appropriate method – E.g. hands-on, hands-off, distant/absentee, bed style or chair style. 3. Depending on the circumstances, decide on an appropriate time-line – E.g. 20 minutes, 45 minutes or 60 minutes. 4. Make no false promises or guarantees to the elderly, or to their family or friends, as to a specific outcome. 5. Then set your focus and say a prayer of intention to your spirit healing team such as the following example: E.g. “I ask my spirit healing team to assist and guide me during this Reiki treatment so that the healing energy of Reiki releases stuck or negative vibrations, releases all cancerous cells, and replaces them with only 100% healthy cellular structure, releases all toxins and impurities, as well as pain or discomfort and to promote ultimate peaceful relaxation and comfort. Allow Reiki to flow on a timed-release basis to where it is most needed, as well as to all levels past or present, so that the healing energy can be utilized as long as it is needed and whenever it is needed.” 6. After saying your prayer of intention, and before giving the Reiki treatment, release any pre-conceived attachment to your intention; instead just allow the energy of it to flow as it should. 7. Release any expectation to the final outcome; instead, just trust and believe that everything will happen, as it should. 8. After the treatment, be sure to ground, cleanse and protect yourself once more. Acknowledge the Elderly Our present society is the result from those who travelled first; who endured hardships so that a solid foundation could be established in order to pave the way for a brighter future for generations who follow. So using Reiki to unconditionally help the elderly is an excellent form of giving back and is an admirable way to express thanks and gratitude for how we live today.