Self Help Centre
Independance, Dignity and Compassion
Paralysis
Paralysis is the partial or complete loss of voluntary muscle function, often accompanied by a loss of sensation, caused by damage to the nervous system, such as a stroke, spinal cord injury, or neurodegenerative disease.
However, paralysis including Quadraplegia does not need to stop one living as independant life as possible. With equipment available to assist your daily living activities such as work, swimming and even driving can be made possible.
Family, staff and friends must always remember, lack of mobility does not mean lack of capacity unless in the event of stroke or brain injury being the cause and as such safe, independant living should not be questioned.
- Install ramps in the home, widen doors and lower kitchen surfaces for ease of access
- Equipment such as hoists, electric beds and slide boards assist in caregivers during moving and handling routines
- Consistent and routined bowel and catheter care can reduce the risks of discomfort, infection and accidents
- Autonomic Dysreflexia journals- this life threatening response to stimuli must be documented to ensure wellbeing
- Pressure relief and daily sore checks
- Breathing excersises and assisted coughing
- Range of motion excersses
Alzheimer's
Middle to late stage Alzheimer’s disease can be extremely dangerous for patients- causing loss of mobility, bladder and bowel difficulties, and the inability to speak, eat or particpate without assistance.
Night time routines should be met with prioritizing safety. A severe lack of cognitive recognition for their surroundings can also cause some patients to wonder. Placing a mattress next to their bed to keep them sfe in the event of falls, bells on the top of doors to wake family andloved ones in the event of them wanting to leave their room or house and providing ID bracelets can keep them safe in times of wondering.
- Establish a routine, prioritizing safety with simple language & basic tasks.
- Encourage participation (Shopping lists, Housework, Games, Social time)
- Acknowledge their feelings and avoid arguments or testing their knowledge- this can be a trigger to them and may result in a breakdown.
- Provide instructions for basic tasks- such as making a cup of tea, or making their bed. This will provide them with independance.
Self Care-Planning
Care planning requires a personalized, proactive approach that evolves with the disease or challenge, focusing on maintaining independence, safety, and quality of life. Key strategies include establishing a structured daily routine, adapting the home environment for safety, managing medication, and incorporating meaningful activities. Care plans should be reviewed regularly and involve the patient in decision-making whenever possible
One of the most important discussions we have with our clients is the importance of care planning as many dont realise this is not something you neccessarily need.
We at Protea Care provide free care planning and assesments to all of our clients and this document, your ‘care bible’ goes everywhere with you. A care plan is exactly what it reads- a plan of your care and what your healthcare requirements are. Even if you may not require one now; no one knows what tommorrow may bring. We encourage all of our clients, friend and family to have their care plan drawn up to protect themselves in case of the unthinkable.
From your medication requirements, to preferences of meals and your specific health needs for clinical nursing, your care plan includes everything related to your independance, safety and wellbeing.
Did you know?
People put more focus into their will than they do a care plan?
Care plan documents are essential in ensuring your dignity, human rights and wishes are respected and adhered to in the case of injury, illness or lack of capacity.
Our below template can get you started on your basic care plan to get you started. This can also help cross the t’s and dot the i's when securing a new agency or change of care within an agency.
Advance care planning is critical for ensuring your healthcare wishes are respected if you become unable to communicate, providing peace of mind, and reducing the emotional burden on loved ones. It aligns medical treatment with personal values, facilitates better end-of-life care, and prevents unnecessary, unwanted interventions
Your Care Template
Use this basic template to get started on your own care plan or contact us for more information on securing your comprehensive plan.
Name and Date of Birth: Joe Bloggs
Allergies
Medical Diagnosis and History
- Highlighting difficulties experienced during daily living
- What would you like the caregiver to do for you?
- Current and previous diagnosis
- Surgeries / Implants
Routines
- Social - Nutrition - Medication - Sleep - Appointments- Clinical
Try and give as much information here as possible to enable your caregiver to promote your independance
What is important to you?
Pets - Children- Work - Church - Personal Development - Baking - Gardening- Fishing etc
- Type of Care sought
- 'After Care' wishes
- Emergency Numbers
- Power of Attorney
- Lawyer