Katrina Ballantyne, Aged Care and Disability Support

07/08/2025

Today we celebrate Aged Care Employees Day, a time to shine a light on the incredible individuals who dedicate their lives to caring for our seniors. These unsung heroes work tirelessly behind the scenes, often facing challenges that many of us can’t even begin to imagine. From assisting with daily activities to providing companionship, they do it all with compassion and grace.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the patience, resilience, and love that aged care workers bring to their jobs every single day. Whether it’s helping someone take their first steps after an injury or sharing a laugh over cups of tea, the impact they have on the lives of our elderly community is immeasurable.

If you know someone in the aged care field, give them a shout-out today! A simple "thank you" can go a long way in showing our gratitude for their hard work. They deserve all the recognition for the important role they play in ensuring our loved ones are treated with dignity and respect. So, let’s spread the love and honor those who give so much of themselves to make a difference. Happy Aged Care Employees Day!

24/07/2025

24/07/2025

Today, my client and I engaged in soap making, embracing our mistakes, learning collaboratively, and experiencing a rewarding sense of accomplishment.

Ultimately, mistakes in soap-making not only sparked creativity but also enhance the joy of the process, making it an enriching and rewarding experience.

15/07/2025

🌟 We’re Hiring Support Superstars! 🌟
Are you ready to make magic happen in people’s lives?

Optimise Health and Wellness is on the lookout for passionate, reliable, and energetic Support Workers to join our incredible team! We support clients of all ages and abilities — and we’re all about helping them live their best lives with dignity, fun, and heart 💙

We’re looking for people who:
✨ Are ready to work across a variety of rosters (flexibility is key!)
✨ Love working collaboratively with clients to support their goals
✨ Are team players with a can-do attitude
✨ Are boys, girls, young and young-at-heart — we welcome you all!

✅ Must have or be willing to obtain:

Certificate III in Individual Support (or equivalent)

Current First Aid & CPR

Driver’s Licence (and reliable transport)

🎉 Whether you’re experienced or just starting out – if you’ve got the heart, we’ll help with the rest!

👉 Register your interest today by emailing us at jobs@optimisehealthandwellness.com.au or messaging us directly.

Let’s make magic happen – together 💫

08/07/2025

Dementia Talk

Dementia and how it affects our 5 senses, today we will talk about sight.

Dementia is a term used to describe a range of cognitive impairments, affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities. It can significantly influence various senses, including sight. Here’s how dementia can affect our sense of sight:

1. Visual Processing: Individuals with dementia may struggle with processing what they see. They might have difficulty recognizing familiar faces, objects, or places, which can lead to confusion.

2. Depth Perception: Dementia can impair depth perception, making it challenging for individuals to judge distances. This can make walking or navigating environments more difficult and increase the risk of falls.

3. Contrast Sensitivity: Many individuals with dementia experience changes in contrast sensitivity, making it harder to distinguish between similar colors or shades, especially in low-light conditions.

4. Visual Hallucinations: Some types of dementia, particularly Lewy body dementia, may involve visual hallucinations, leading individuals to see things that aren’t there. This can cause fear or anxiety.

5. Difficulty in Tracking Objects: A person with dementia might have trouble following moving objects with their eyes, affecting activities like watching TV or following a person in conversation.

6. Visual Agnosia: This is a condition where individuals can see objects but cannot recognize or interpret them. For example, they might see a spoon but not understand its function.

7. Neglect of Visual Stimuli: In some cases, individuals may ignore visual stimuli from one side (usually the left) due to spatial neglect, which can lead to safety concerns.

Understanding these effects can help caregivers and loved ones provide appropriate support and adaptations, enhancing the quality of life for those living with dementia.

Photo 📸 Fred Nemmøe, my Morfar using a magnifying glass 🔍 to look at family photos.

07/07/2025

Dementia talk hearing

Dementia and how it affects our 5 senses, today we will talk about hearing.

Dementia is a broad term used to describe a decline in cognitive function, which can significantly interfere with daily life and activities. It encompasses various types, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementia, among others.

While dementia primarily affects memory, thinking, and behavior, it can also influence hearing and auditory processing in several ways:

1. Cognitive Decline: As cognitive abilities decline, individuals may struggle to process sounds or follow conversations, leading to difficulties in understanding speech, especially in noisy environments.

2. Auditory Perception: Some forms of dementia can lead to changes in how the brain processes sounds, making it hard to distinguish different noises or recognize familiar voices.

3. Communication Challenges: Dementia can impact language and communication abilities, which may result in misinterpretation of sounds or words, further complicating interactions.

4. Hearing Loss: Age-related hearing loss is common in older adults, including those with dementia. Hearing loss can exacerbate the communication difficulties faced by individuals with dementia.

5. Social Withdrawal: Difficulties in hearing can lead to frustration, misunderstandings, and social isolation, as individuals may avoid social interactions due to fears of not being able to engage effectively.

6. Behavioral Changes: Challenges with hearing and communication can contribute to changes in behavior, such as agitation or withdrawal, as individuals may become frustrated with their inability to communicate.

Understanding these effects emphasizes the importance of regular hearing assessments and support for individuals with dementia to enhance their quality of life and foster better communication.

Hope this helps

Tomorrow we will talk about the last of our 5 senses sight

Photos 📸 top: Fred Nemmøe, my Morfar cupping his hand around his ear so he can hear what I’m telling him.
Photo 📸 Bottom Christa Nemmøe my Mormor pulling me closer so she can hear me.

06/07/2025

Dementia Talk

Dementia and how it affects our 5 senses, today we will talk about touch.

Dementia is a term for a range of cognitive impairments, affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities. One significant aspect of dementia care is the impact of touch. Here are some ways touch can affect individuals with dementia:

1. Emotional Connection: Touch can foster emotional bonding, helping individuals feel reassured and loved. Gentle touch, such as holding hands or a comforting pat on the back, can evoke positive feelings and reduce anxiety.

2. Calming Effect: For many people with dementia, touch can have a soothing effect. Physical contact can lower stress levels, promoting relaxation and comfort during moments of confusion or agitation.

3. Communication: Since verbal communication may become challenging, touch serves as an alternative means of interaction. A caregiver's touch can convey empathy and understanding, facilitating non-verbal communication.

4. Sensory Stimulation: Touch can stimulate the senses and enhance awareness of the environment. Engaging the sense of touch can spark memories and encourage reminiscence, especially when it involves familiar objects or materials.

5. Physical Health: Regular touch can stimulate circulation and improve overall physical health. It may also help reduce symptoms of depression, which can be common in individuals with dementia.

In conclusion, incorporating touch into care for individuals with dementia can play a vital role in enhancing their quality of life, fostering connections, and promoting emotional well-being.

Hope this helps

Tomorrows Dementia Talk we will go over hearing and its affects with Dementia

📸 Photo: Fred and Christa Nemmøe, my Morfar and Mormor

05/07/2025

Dementia Talk

Dementia and how it can affect our 5 senses, today we will talk about taste.

Dementia can significantly impact various cognitive functions, including memory, reasoning, and perception. One lesser-known effect is on our sense of taste. Here are some key points about how dementia may influence taste perception:

1. Altered Taste Buds: Older adults, including those with dementia, may experience changes in their taste buds that can lead to diminished taste sensitivity. This might make food less enjoyable.

2. Loss of Appetite: As taste perception changes, individuals with dementia might lose interest in eating, as food may not taste as good to them anymore. This can lead to weight loss and nutritional deficiencies.

3. Dietary Preferences: People with dementia may develop new food aversions or cravings. Foods they used to enjoy might suddenly seem unappealing, while strange combinations or flavors might become appealing.

4. Cognitive and Emotional Effects: The emotional well-being of individuals with dementia can also affect their appetite and enjoyment of food. Feelings of confusion or frustration may lead to a decreased desire to eat.

5. Importance of Nutrition: Ensuring that individuals with dementia receive adequate nutrition is crucial. It might be helpful to offer a variety of flavors and textures to appeal to their changing taste preferences.

6. Social and Cultural Factors: Mealtime can be an opportunity for social interaction, which is important for emotional health. Integrating familiar recipes and family traditions can enhance the dining experience.

7. Sensory Stimulation: Engaging the senses through colored plates, aromatic herbs, and diverse meal textures can enhance the eating experience, making it more enjoyable even with altered taste perception.

Understanding these aspects can help caregivers and loved ones support individuals with dementia in maintaining a healthy and enjoyable relationship with food.

Hope this helps

Tomorrows Dementia Talk we will discuss how Dementia can affect our sense of Touch.

Photo 📸 Christa Nemmøe, My Mormor eating her yogurt

04/07/2025

Always Learning new skills, I’ve recently completed a Motor Neurone Disease course with the University of Tasmania

Motor neuron disease (MND) refers to a group of neurodegenerative conditions that affect the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. These neurons are responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movements, and when they degenerate, it leads to weakness, muscle wasting, and eventually, loss of motor function.

Key points about motor neuron disease include:

1. Types: The most common form is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), but other types include Progressive Muscular Atrophy (PMA) and Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS).

2. Symptoms: Early symptoms can include muscle weakness, twitching, cramping, and difficulty with coordination. As the disease progresses, it can lead to challenges with speaking, swallowing, and breathing.

3. Causes: The exact cause of MND is often unknown, but genetic factors and environmental influences may play a role. Some forms of MND have a hereditary component.

4. Diagnosis: Diagnosis typically involves a clinical examination, medical history review, and various tests, including electromyography (EMG) and MRI scans, to rule out other conditions.

5. Treatment: There is no cure for MND, but treatments focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. This can include medications, physical therapy, and supportive care.

6. Prognosis: MND progresses at different rates for individuals, with some living for many years after diagnosis, while others may have a faster decline.

Early signs of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) can vary from person to person, but some common initial symptoms may include:

1. Muscle Weakness, Often noticed in the hands, arms, legs, or feet, making it difficult to perform daily tasks.

2. Twitching and Cramping, Involuntary muscle twitching (fasciculations) or cramps may occur.

3. Difficulty with Fine Motor Skills, Trouble with tasks like buttoning clothes, writing, or using utensils.

4. Slurred Speech, Changes in speech patterns, including slurring or a nasal quality.

5. Difficulty Swallowing, Challenges with swallowing (dysphagia), which may lead to coughing or choking while eating.

6. Fatigue, Increased exhaustion or a sense of weakness, even with minimal activity.

7. Changes in Emotional Control, Some individuals experience emotional lability or uncontrollable laughing and crying.

8. Noticeable Muscle Atrophy, Reduction in muscle size, which may be seen in the hands or arms over time.

If you notice any of these signs, especially if they persist or worsen, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation. Early diagnosis and intervention can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

04/07/2025

Dementia Talk

Dementia and how it can affects our 5 senses

We will start of with our sense of Smell

Dementia can impact the sense of smell (olfaction) in various ways. Here are some common signs related to smell:

1. Decreased Sense of Smell: Individuals may have difficulty detecting odors that they previously could smell easily.

2. Inability to Recognize Familiar Scents: A person with dementia may struggle to identify familiar smells, like food or personal care products, which can lead to changes in eating habits or personal hygiene.

3. Changes in Appetite: A reduced sense of smell can lead to diminished appetite, as many people rely on smell to enhance the flavor of food.

4. Safety Risks: Your person with dementia may not notice harmful smells, such as gas leaks or smoke, leading to potential safety hazards.

5. Altered Taste Perception: Since smell impacts taste, a person with dementia may experience changes in how food tastes, impacting their overall enjoyment of meals.

6. Emotional Responses to Smells: The inability to smell familiar scents can affect emotional well-being, as certain smells are often linked to memories.

Hope this helps.

Tomorrow’s Dementia Talk will be about taste

Photo 📸 Christa Nemmøe my Mormor smelling a bunch of roses

07/04/2025

🌷 April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month 🌷
Fun Fact

Did you know? aerobic exercise, does more than just help with movement, it can actually slow disease progression in the brain. 🧠

people with Parkinson’s who exercised for 6 months had better brain connections, improved thinking, and less brain shrinkage.

Exercise can also help improve gait, balance, tremor, flexibility, grip strength, and motor coordination

It’s powerful proof that movement can protect the brain.