International Day Against Homophobia

For those of you who work in the aged care industry, let me ask a question. Do you presume that all your clients are heterosexual? Have you ever considered that they may not be? What if you had a client who identified as being gay, lesbian or transgender? Do you think they would share that information with you? Would they feel safe to do so in your organisation? How would you act/react if they did?   Did you ever have this discussion in your aged care course?

I hope I have chellenged  you and  given you some food for thought on this very important day. Inetrnational Day Against Homophobia. What can you do to mark this occaision? May I make some suggestions?

• Educate Yourself. If you are unaware of the issues facing GLBTI people in aged care do some research.
• Educate Others: Talk about International Day Against Homophobia with your work colleages. Spread the word and share what you have learned.
• Have a chat with your residents about how they would feel if you had a GLBTI resident.

Here is a link to the Ageing Gay and Lesbian Victoria which addresses issues such as dementia, aged care services and health issues. Check it out!

http://www.glhv.org.au/?q=taxonomy/term/40

Here is another link to International Day Against Homophobia website. See what you can discover about this annual event.

http://www.homophobiaday.org/default.aspx?scheme=1204

Note: GLBTI = Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Intersex

New Dementia Report

This is an article written about in Astralian Ageing Agenda Magazine about the importnace of making decisions early when people are affected by memory loss. Who will provide care? Are the finances in order, who will make the decisions about health, care and lifestyle when the person with memory loss cannot. Follow the link below to the full story.


A new a new report written for Alzheimer’s Australia highlights the importance of planning for the end as soon as a diagnosis of dementia is made, and it's author is on tour explaining its contents in seminars around Australia.

Check out this link
http://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/2011/04/19/article/Be-prepared/MRVCWEFHSZ.html

Who would you put in charge of making decisions for you?

Pet Assisted Therapy - Dogs Helping our senior citizens

Dogs NSW supports the expansion of programs for dogs in aged care facilities. Companion canines can contribute constructively to aged care communities. Research over more than twenty years has shown that pet assisted therapy has beneficial effects on the physical and psychological well-being of aged care residents. Lower blood pressure and relaxed respiratory patterns are just some of the quantifiable improvements reported in residents of aged care facilities when they come into contact with a trained therapy dog. Recovery from illness is improved for many institutionalised people when pets are used in therapy. Interaction with trained and certified therapy animals has been shown to reduce the need for pain medication, and promotes postoperative activity. The unconditional companionship of a dog promotes speech and social activity in otherwise withdrawn people. The “Pets as Therapy” program introduced by the Guide Dog Association, and the Outreach Program coordinated by Australian Veterinary Association and the Animal Welfare League are both examples of programs for pet assisted therapy. Veterinary Adviser and Dogs NSW Spokesperson, Dr Peter Higgins, was involved with the introduction of these two programs in 1989. “I am pleased to see that our political leaders are recognising the therapeutic and soothing benefits of pets. Scientific research has shown conclusively that people benefit both physically and emotionally with dog therapy,” says Dr Higgins. Dogs have a non-judgemental relationship and are associated with unconditional love and affection. Life in an institution can often be lonely and isolated, and these problems can disappear in the presence of a canine companion. The long term therapy of regular interaction with pets has been shown to improve confidence and social activity. The presence of a dog can spark memories of a previous time, and rekindle a positive aspect about life. "No-one is saying that money should be diverted away from nursing and other forms of care but pet assisted therapy is complementary. It has many positive outcomes and is fully justifiable. Therapy dogs are not a new idea; they are mainstream," states Dr Higgins. Humans have had a relationship with companion animals for 130,000 years. Australians, in particular, have embraced the concept of pets as more than 12 million Australians have a pet. Residents of nursing homes should benefit from this lifestyle advantage, too. “It is more than just feel good. The human animal bond should never be underestimated: it goes back to the beginning of our species. Studies have shown that surgery patients and stroke victims in hospitals recover better as a result of having therapy dogs,” explains Dr Higgins.

  Taken from:  http://www.dogsnsw.org.au/resources/media/251-pet-assisted-therapy-dogs-helping-our-senior-citizens.html

Health Care Courses

Yesterda,y I had the pleasure of spending some time with students at ACE Tweed College. The students are undertaking a training course in Aged Care at the college. They are studying topics such as dementia care, personal care, cultural issues as well as assistance with medication. Two of the students I spoke with were very excited about being involved in work placement where they are completeing the voluntary experience hours required to complete their Certificate III Aged Care Qualification.
One student, Teena has in fact been offered and has commenced paid employment at a local aged care facility despite the fact that she still has some of her course left to complete. Teena was very  generous and passionate enough to allow me to record her enthusiasm on my phon,e so I took the opportunity to create an Aged Care Channel on youtube to upload her footage to. Teena is so excited not just to be working but also to be feeling like she is making a difference in the lives of others. She is getting positive feedback about her performance both from her supervisor and from her clients. She is on top of the world and I am sure it is helping her  to have a regular reliable income too. This is what an aged care job can offer. Teena says that participating in a Certificate III in Aged care has changed her life. You can see Teena on  video on the left of this blog in our Video Link.
Have you ever considered doing an aged care course?  If so, what would you like to get out of it? What area of Aged care would you like to work in?