Living Waters Aged Care Pty Ltd

18/08/2025

11/08/2025

Constipation in Seniors

Constipation is an uncomfortable reality for many seniors, a common experience for nearly 50% of the aging population.

🤔What causes constipation for elders?
🧻Polypharmacy and medication side-effect
🧻Dehydration or lack of liquid consumption
🧻Slowing digestive system due to aging
🧻Lack of fibre and minerals in diet
🧻Reduced mobility and lack of exercise

This causes issues like agitation, frustration, and as for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, aggressive behaviours can increase.

🪠6 Effective Home Remedies for Chronic Constipation
→ AVOID constipating foods: low fibre (white bread, rice), high-fat (fried, fatty foods), processed foods (frozen meals, fast food), alcohol
→ EAT foods that are: high fibre (fruits, vegetables, whole grains), soluble fibre (ripe banana, oats, legumes)
→ DRINK lots of water
→ EXERCISE regularly and vigorously
→ RESPOND immediately to bathroom urges - don’t hold back!
→ GO EASY with laxatives - long-term, overuse of stimulants can increase dependence

Also, don’t hesitate to go see a doctor.

❤️Living Waters Aged Care💙 helps all our seniors with their journey to health and well-being. For more information, talk to us today! Visit us: https://livingwatersagedcare.com.au/

13/02/2025

📝Alzheimer’s Test: Ask 12 Questions

If you're concerned that your senior may be experiencing memory, thinking, or judgment issues, you might consider recommending the SAGE (Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam).

This simple at-home, pen-and-paper test is free, only takes 15 minutes, and effectively detects early signs of Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

💎How to take the SAGE test
There are 4 forms of the SAGE test, each composed of 12 questions. You only need to take one.

1️⃣Download the test: https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/brain-spine-neuro/memory-disorders/sage
2️⃣Print it out and answer the questions with no assistance from others.
3️⃣When finished, take your answer sheet to your doctor so he or she can score it and discuss the results with you.

✔️There is no time limit to this test, but this takes around 10-15 minutes on average.
✔️Don’t look at the clock or calendar while taking the test to avoid any confusion. If you have any questions about an item, just do the best you can.

💎What to do after the test
Once you’ve completed the test, bring it to your primary care physician. Your doctor will score it and explain the results. If necessary, they may recommend additional tests to further assess your symptoms or refer you for further evaluation.

If your score doesn't suggest the need for further assessment, your doctor can keep the test on file as a baseline for future reference. This way, you can retake the test later, and your doctor can track any changes over time.

At ❤️Living Waters Aged Care💙, we understand the challenges that come with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

✨Our caregivers and health professionals provide expert care that is personalised to every client’s needs.

✨Contact us today and start getting the help you deserve now: https://livingwatersagedcare.com.au/book-an-appointment/

06/02/2025

Our immune system weakens as we age.

This increases the chance of getting sepsis, an extreme response to infection that potentially leads to damages to organs, shocks and even death.

Here's what you need to know about sepsis, and what to do to prevent it.

🩹What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a serious, life-threatening response of the body to an infection. It is the tenth leading cause of death for those aged 65 and over.

🩹What are the symptoms?
→ Confusion and tiredness.
→ Fever and chills
→ Shortness of breath
→ Mottled or dusky skin
→ Increased heart rate
→ Pain and physical discomfort

🩹What causes sepsis in seniors?
Older adults are at a higher risk of developing sepsis because of:
→ Weaker immune systems and more fragile bodies
→ Longer hospital stays and surgical procedures
→ The use of catheters, feeding tubes, and IVs, which raise the risk of infection
→ Chronic conditions like diabetes, lung and kidney diseases, stroke, heart attack, and hypertension

🤔How do you prevent sepsis?
💎Treat infections immediately when they occur.
💎Take proper care of all wounds.
💎Keep up-to-date with vaccinations regularly to prevent illnesses such as flu and pneumonia
💎Practice good hygiene, including handwashing

❤️Living Waters Aged Care💙 helps you develop a plan to safeguard your living environment and your senior’s wellbeing. Talk to us today to find more about our services. Visit us: https://livingwatersagedcare.com.au/

09/01/2025

🎉It is 2025, a new year and a chance for a fresh start!🎉

Now is the ideal time to look back to your years and realise that you, a caregiver, should prioritize self-care that you deserve.

Here are 4 self-care goals for caregivers that will help safeguard your long-term health. These goals provide creative solutions that remind you to relax and recharge.

Goal #1: Actively seek help
💎Build your support network of friends, family and community
💎Ask family or friends for help with daily care tasks
💎Seek help from professionals like doctors and home carers to help solve tough care challenges

Goal #2: Spare time for yourself every day
💎Schedule achievable break daily, such as a 2-minute meditation or a walk around the block every morning
💎Do regular exercises to improve your fitness and reduce stress
💎Escape from reality with entertainments like TV shows and audiobook
💎Stay connected with your friends via phone calls, coffee and a meal
💎Commit to looking after yourself and doing the above activities daily

Goal #3: Schedule regular breaks
💎Get someone to sit with your older adult while you spend time on your own
💎Hire an in-home caregiver for a few hours every week
💎Enroll your senior in an adult day program
💎Use local respite care programs

Goal #4: Accept just as is
When pouring in heart and soul into caregiving, it is easy to hope for a change and wish that things will get better.

However, the higher the expectation, the greater the disappointment will be if nothing changes.

It can be tough to admit that certain things won’t change. But ✨accepting the current reality✨ and ✨maintaining your calm✨ helps you to stay in the moment and appreciate the good things in life. Eventually, this will enable you to direct your emotional energy toward positive outcomes.

Are you looking for professional help and support in 2025? Contact ❤️Living Waters Aged Care💙 - we provide compassionate care for our elders to enable independence and healthy lifestyle. Reach out to us today: https://livingwatersagedcare.com.au/book-an-appointment/

19/12/2024

🎄🎁What gift should we get for our beloved caregivers?

While gifts like diffusers and clothes can be nice, what caregivers really wish can be different. A simple, thoughtful gesture and an opportunity for rest can be a valuable gift they deserve.

In this article, we present to you top 6 gift ideas for caregivers that can make them feel supported and provide them a well-deserved time off from caregiving.

1️⃣A series of coffee dates
Caring for an older adult can easily make caregivers feel lonely and isolated. Hence, what caregivers need the most is breaks and catch-ups with their loved ones.

For their Christmas gift, make a plan for regular coffee catch-ups to show your support throughout the year. For those who live far away, consider sending a gift card to a local coffee shop, or schedule a regular phone date to give them the time to reconnect.

2️⃣Relaxation and pampering
A spa or massage gift card is an excellent way to help them unwind and relieve muscle tension. Alternatively, if they prefer to relax at home, consider gifting a back and neck massager to help them relax and de-stress.

If they’re unable to leave home because no one else is available to care for their loved one, you can offer to pay for in-home care or respite care for the senior. This way, the caregiver can get some time off and enjoy their pampering session.

3️⃣Hearty meals
Being too busy, caregivers are often not able to consider the nutritional balance in their daily food intake.

Therefore, cook up some of your delicious home-cooked meals and load them up in their freezer. These meal preps can allow caregivers to not worry about what to eat for the day.

Another great present for caregivers is a nice meal out or a delivery order of their favourite food.

4️⃣A clean house
Pushed by demanding chores, caregivers often do not have time and energy to clean the house.

For this year’s Christmas gift, arrange a cleaning service, or roll up your sleeves and do some cleaning yourself to take this chore off their list. Also, check house maintenance such as mowing the lawn, fixing a slow drain, and gutter cleaning.

5️⃣Encouragement to pursue hobbies
Many caregivers become so occupied with caring for their older adult that they lose touch with their own passions. However, this can lead them to a caregiver burden in the long run.

So, encourage them to keep up their hobbies. If you’re nearby, spend time with the older adult so the caregiver can focus on their interests.

Alternatively, offer to call or video chat with the older adult to keep them company, giving the caregiver time to relax and enjoy their hobby.

6️⃣Stress management activities
As a gift, you can give caregivers things that are therapeutic. For example, a beautiful journal is a good present, as writing in a journal is one of many effective ways to reduce caregiver stress. Another gift idea is a yoga class or yoga mat, which will help them clear their minds and stay in the present moment.

At❤️Living Waters Aged Care💙, we understand that caregiving is a difficult and challenging job. We provide free carer stress assessment for a healthier and more enjoyable life for both you and your loved one.

Contact us now for help: https://livingwatersagedcare.com.au/book-an-appointment/

12/12/2024

❤️2 more weeks and it is Christmas!💚

You may be wondering, ‘Would it be safe to have visitors for my parent with dementia?’ gf

The answer to that question is: YES. Older adults with Alzheimer's disease or dementia can still appreciate having visitors when some preparation before the visit is placed.

🎁4 tips for successful visits
1️⃣Have only 1-2 visitors at a time.
2️⃣Visit at the time of day when your older adult is at their best.
3️⃣Minimise noise and distractions - keep it calm and quiet.
4️⃣Inform visitors of the do’s and don’ts beforehand:

Do’s
✅Keep a friendly and positive tone and body language
✅Make eye contact at eye level
✅Introduce yourself
✅Speak slowly and in short sentences
✅Be patient and give them extra time to speak or answer questions
✅Use open-ended questions
✅Share memories of the past

Don'ts
❌Speak loudly
❌Argue
❌Point out mistakes
❌Say “Do you remember?”
❌Take things personally
❌Talk down to them as if they are children
❌Exclude them from conversations

Please feel free to share the list above with your family and friends. But remember - everyone is unique in their own way. So make sure to alter the list to best facilitate your senior.

❤️Living Waters Aged Care💙 deeply cares about our clients’ wellbeing and overall happiness. We offer a broad range of home care services to support you and your senior in the best possible way. If you are seeking help, please contact us today: https://livingwatersagedcare.com.au/book-an-appointment/

28/11/2024

There can be many post-stroke symptoms during the recovery phase. On top of physical problems, cognitive issues can also occur, one of common ones being pseudobulbar affect (PBA).

💡What is pseudobulbar affect (PBA)?
Reported to show in 53% of stroke survivors, PBA is a neurological condition that causes uncontrollable crying or laughing. These responses are exaggerated or inappropriate to the situation, causing conflicts in social life and relationships. However, it is important to note that they do not reflect the person’s actual feelings.

💡What causes emotional outbursts?
PBA occurs when stroke harms parts of the brain responsible for regulating emotional expression. This damage leads to disruptions in brain signals, resulting in uncontrollable episodes of laughter or crying.

While stroke is a common cause of PBA, it can also be triggered by other neurological conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, dementia, Wilson’s disease, or brain tumors.

💎How to support your older adult with PBA:
✅Keep a record of emotional episodes. Documenting each instance can assist the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis.
✅Remind them the emotional outbursts are not their fault, just a side effect of stroke
✅Reassure and let them know they’re not alone

💎How stroke survivors can manage PBA symptoms:
✅Inform family and friends about the problem so they understand the struggle.
✅If you sense an outburst coming, distract yourself by counting items on a shelf or thinking about something unrelated.
✅Take slow, deep breaths to regain control over the situation.
✅Relax tense muscles, including your forehead and shoulders, during an episode.
✅If you feel like you might laugh or cry, try changing your body position.

Getting a diagnosis is crucial to determine if your older loved one is experiencing PBA. But if you’d like help to determine if you or your loved senior is experiencing PBA, you can take the quiz: https://www.pbainfo.org/pba-quiz

At ❤️Living Waters Aged Care💙, we deeply care about our senior’s safety and independence. If you would like to find more information about how to stay safe and supported, contact us today: https://livingwatersagedcare.com.au/book-an-appointment/

21/11/2024

🎄Christmas time is here!🎅

Whether you’re hosting Christmas at your house or at someone else’s, you would want everyone to be involved in the celebration, including your loved seniors. However, it may worry you that your older adult with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia may get overstimulated or agitated.

We present to you✨6 tips✨to help you modify and adapt holiday activities for seniors with dementia so they would feel comfortable during the time with you and your loved ones.

💚Tip #1: Keep your groups small.
Make changes that will help your senior feel calm and stay away from overstimulation. For instance, instead of hosting a big party for all family members, you can plan small get-togethers spread across December. You can also consider limiting the guest list to immediate family only.

❤️Tip #2: Fit the schedule to your senior
If you are the primary caregiver of your senior, you would know what times of day your older adult is at their best. So, try scheduling the most meaningful Christmas activity at times when your older adult would most likely participate successfully.

💚Tip #3: Arrange a private, quiet space
To avoid agitating your older adult, set aside a quiet room away from the noise. Use this space for individual family members to have one-on-one visits and spend quality time with the senior.

❤️Tip #4: Include activities your senior will enjoy
Make your older adult feel included by planning activities that they already enjoy.

Some ideas you could consider are:
✨A group cookie baking session
✨Looking through family album together
✨Watching the senior’s favourite sports game
✨A family sing-along or dance offs to the senior’s favourite tunes

💚Tip #5: Limit foods that differ from usual diet
It is important to know that many older adults have sensitive digestive systems. So, however delicious and tempting holiday meals are, it would be wise to avoid foods that are too different from their ordinary diet.

❤️Tip #6: Encourage children to spend time with seniors
Make sure to talk with children about Alzheimer’s or dementia. This will help the kids understand your senior and prevent confusion when faced with odd behaviours or angry outbursts.

During the encounter, have an adult watch the interaction in case the senior acts unexpectedly or the kid triggers agitation.

But most importantly,✨make sure to take a break yourself!✨Do what helps you relax, de-stress and recharge your battery. Ask for help when you feel exhausted. And after your well-deserved break, you’ll be able to better help your senior and spend the best Christmas possible.

Do you need extra support? Living Waters Aged Care is here to help. We provide personalised care plans that best suit your senior’s needs and well-being. If you would like to find more about our services, contact us today: https://livingwatersagedcare.com.au/book-an-appointment/

14/11/2024

💛What is Incontinence?
Incontinence is the partial or full loss of bladder or bowel control, leading to accidental leakage of urine or stool. It is a commonly found symptom, affecting around 80% of people in aged care facilities.

💛What Increases the Risk of Bladder Problems?
💥Age: As we age, muscle tone and bladder capacity may decrease, making control over urination more difficult.
💥Gender: Women are more likely to experience urinary incontinence due to childbirth, menopause, and anatomical factors.
💥Chronic Health Conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis can affect the nerves and muscles responsible for bladder control.
💥Medications: Certain medications, including diuretics, sedatives, and medications for high blood pressure, can increase urinary frequency or urgency.
💥Obesity: Excess weight puts pressure on the bladder, leading to leakage.
💥Inactivity: Sedentary lifestyles can weaken pelvic floor muscles, increasing the risk of incontinence.

💛How Do You Manage Incontinence?
💎Bladder Training: Gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits can help improve bladder control.
💎Pelvic Floor Exercises: Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic muscles, which can help manage urinary incontinence. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncwdIZez950
💎Dietary Adjustments: Reduce caffeine, alcohol, and acidic foods that irritate the bladder. Staying hydrated, but avoiding excessive fluid intake late in the day, can also help.
💎Regular Physical Activity: Exercise can strengthen muscles and improve overall bladder function.
💎Absorbent Pads: These are designed to manage leakage and keep the skin dry.
💎Protective Bedding: Waterproof covers for beds and chairs can help manage overnight leakage.

💛When to Seek Professional Help
If incontinence is affecting quality of life, or if there’s sudden onset or severe symptoms, it's important to consult a healthcare provider to identify underlying causes and explore treatment options.

At ❤️Living Waters Aged Care💙, we deeply care about our senior’s health and happiness. Our very own Nursing Practitioner of Aged Care reviews all our clients’ Care Plans.

Start receiving help by contacting us today: https://livingwatersagedcare.com.au/book-an-appointment/

07/11/2024

The digital world can be a tricky place, filled with dangers that older users may not recognise. In fact, the FBI reported that seniors lost nearly $1 billion to scammers in 2020 alone.

This is why it is important to educate seniors about common online risks, and help them avoid potential pitfalls. Here are five tips for seniors to avoid dangers on the internet.

💎Tip #1: Protect your devices with strong passwords
Your device contains all your personal and vital information. So not having a password or an easy password makes it an easy target for scammers and thieves.

👑Try strengthening your code by using patterns that are not personal to you.

💎Tip #2: Learn about common scams
Nowadays, fraudsters have now become creative in ways to trick people, so knowing some common ways can help you avoid the traps.

👑Check out the article by ScamWatch to learn about common types of scams:
- https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams

💎Tip #3: Verify and think before clicking
Be wary of clicking on links or opening attachments in emails and text messages, even if they appear to be safe. This is because there is a possibility that your accounts are hacked, and messages are sent by scammers.

Clicking on suspicious links can install malware and give fraudsters access to your devices.

👑Unless the message is from a verified and trusted source, you should avoid clicking on links or opening attachments.

💎Tip #4: Safeguard credit card and personal details
If you ever feel the need to provide their sensitive information, be watchful and verify the legitimacy of the company.

👑As for online payments, you can do it through a third-party financial service, like Paypal and Applepay, to ensure extra security.

💎Tip #5: Be careful of what you share on social media
Scammers and identity thieves often use social media to gather personal details they can exploit to steal from seniors.

👑To protect themselves, seniors should start by adjusting their privacy settings to ensure that their personal information and posts are shared only to trusted family and friends.

At ❤️Living Waters Aged Care💙, we deeply care about our senior’s safety and independence. If you would like to find more information about how to stay safe and supported, contact us today: https://livingwatersagedcare.com.au/book-an-appointment/

31/10/2024

🔔Have you ever thought about how to age well?

While what aging looks like differs from person to person, it is important to ensure safety and well-being of your senior life. This all starts from their homes.

Aging in place is an excellent choice for many seniors who wish to enjoy the familiarity of their own homes as they grow older. Here are the top nine tips for safely aging in place.

1️⃣Have an open communication
Ensure their needs are being met and their living environment remains safe. You can consider communicating:

❤️Physical and emotional changes
❤️Mobility concerns
❤️Medication side effects

2️⃣Prevent falls by making home modifications
Falls are a major source of injury for seniors. So it is important to make essential modifications in their home to prevent accidents:

🧡Install grab bars in the bathroom, near the toilet and in the shower or tub.
🧡Use non-slip mats in moisture-prone areas like the kitchen and bathroom.
🧡Enhance lighting throughout the house, particularly in hallways and staircases.
🧡Remove tripping hazards, including loose rugs, clutter, and electrical cords.

3️⃣Manage medication system
To avoid missing doses and maintain health, managing medications is essential:

💛Use a pill organiser that sorts out daily medicines
💛Set up reminders or alarms for timely intake
💛Seek for regular medication reviews by health professionals

4️⃣Schedule regular health check-ups
Regular medical appointments can aid in the early detection of health problems and facilitate timely interventions:

💚Coordinate in-home visits from healthcare professionals or nurses for those with limited mobility.
💚Stay up to date with routine screenings, such as vision, hearing, and bone density assessments.
💚Proactively manage chronic conditions through consistent monitoring and medication adjustments.

5️⃣Plan nutrition-rich meals
Preparing meals can become increasingly difficult as people age. So have easy access to nutritious food for successfully aging in place:

💙Set up meal delivery services or grocery deliveries, especially for seniors who have mobility challenges.
💙Prepare meals in advance that can be easily reheated.
💙Think about hiring a part-time caregiver to help with meal planning, shopping, or cooking.
💙A nutrient-rich, balanced diet supports seniors in maintaining their energy levels, immune function, and overall health.

6️⃣Stay physically active
Even moderate exercise can help preserve mobility, enhance balance, and lower the risk of falls:

💜Encourage daily walks or gentle stretching to strengthen joints and muscles.
💜Consider joining exercise classes tailored for seniors, such as chair yoga or water aerobics.
💜Seek guidance from a physical therapist for customised exercise plans suited to individual mobility and health requirements.

7️⃣Create a strong support system
It is important that older adults have a strong support network to help them navigate daily challenges:

💗Have family members, friends, or neighbours check in regularly
💗Join local senior groups or activities to promote socialisation
💗Get routinely visits from professional caregivers or home carers

8️⃣Plan for the future
Circumstances can shift, and having a strategy in place ensures that seniors are ready. Therefore, even when aging in place is going well, it's essential to plan for the future:

💞Consider long-term care options, such as in-home care services, assisted living, or skilled nursing facilities, even if they aren't needed yet.
💞Prepare legal documents like a will, power of attorney, and healthcare proxy to ensure that wishes are respected.
💞Discuss finances with family members or financial advisors to create a budget for future needs.

Planning ahead on your own can be overwhelming while taking care of your loved senior. This is why we are here.

❤️Living Waters Aged Care💙 provides personalised care plans that support older adults and their families, ensuring their needs are met and their quality of life is enhanced. Contact us today to find out what plan is for you: https://livingwatersagedcare.com.au/book-an-appointment/