Also known as pressure injuries, bed sores are just one of the challenges caregivers face at home. In this blog, we will share all you need to know about how to manage such injuries.

What are Pressure Injuries?

Pressure injuries are also commonly known as bed sores, pressure ulcers, or medically as decubitus ulcers. They appear on the skin or underlying tissue, and tend to occur at bony areas due to the pressure applied or where there is friction. Pressure injuries can be a worrisome condition, especially for frail or elderly people. Once they develop, it can take days, months or even years to heal. These wounds can also become infected or even become chronic. In severe cases, this can lead to osteomyelitis – an inflammation or swelling of the bone.

Given its far-reaching repercussions, it is important to know how to identify pressure injuries before they become worse, or learn about their prevention.

Signs of Pressure Injuries

Pressure injuries are visible conditions, so you can look out for the signs. Some of these signs include:

• Changes in skin colour or skin texture, such as surface turning purple or swelling
• Skin not turning white when pressure is applied
• Warm and cool patches throughout the body
• Different degrees of hardness and softness around the skin
• Painful or sore areas

These sores usually appear at the back of the head, buttocks or on healing wounds.

Typically, pressure injuries present themselves in four stages:

• Stage one: The painful red area does not turn white when pressed, and skin may feel warm, cool, firm or soft.
• Stage two: Blisters or open sores are seen, and the area around may look red or irritated
• Stage three: The skin develops an open hole or crater, the underlying tissue is damaged, and you may also be able to see body fat.
• Stage four: Ulcers are deeply formed, and cause damage to the muscle, bone, tendons or joints.

Risk Factors of Pressure Injuries

While pressure injuries can happen at home or in the hospital from prolonged bed rest, sitting in a wheelchair, or wearing a cast for too long, there are several factors which can contribute to their incidence. Older people are more prone to bed sores as their skin is thinner, while circulatory diseases such as heart diseases or diabetes can also increase the chances.

Weight can also play a part. Individuals who are underweight or malnourished may have less fat and muscles to protect the skin, while being overweight increases the pressure on the skin’s surface. Lifestyle factors such as reduced mobility and incontinence may also result in the formation of pressure sores. If your loved one is predisposed to such injuries, it is important to implement the right care or seek professional help from medical caregivers such as Jaga-Me in Singapore.

The I.N.J.U.R.Y. Prevention Method

Before you find yourself having to deal with painful pressure injuries, take note of the I.N.J.U.R.Y. prevention method.

Incontinence

• Know that constant exposure to urine and faeces can weaken the skin
• Maintain good personal hygiene to reduce infection
• Stop using scented or harsh soaps to protect the skin barrier
• Dry skin gently to prevent injury

Nutrition and Hydration

• Know that eating and drinking well keeps the skin stronger and healthier
• Ensure a nutritious diet to allow improve skin quality
• Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water per day to keep the skin hydrated

Just Move

• Know that movement helps to keep the skin elastic and supple
• Ensure regular movement every 2 hours if bed-bound
• Change positions three times per hour when sitting
• Encourage blood circulation through massages or stretches

Use Pressure-Relieving Surfaces

• Know that you can use other objects to improve skin movement
• Choose mattresses or cushions which are made to prevent pressure injuries
• Seek help from a healthcare professional to get recommendations on tools and accessories

Reassess Skin Regularly

• Know that constant monitoring is key
• Examine skin once a day
• Look for skin that does not change colour when pressure is applied

You Should Seek Help Early

If you notice a change in the skin or suspect that there are pressure injuries, it is important to contact your healthcare provider early. With early intervention, the healing process will also be faster and less uncomfortable. Avoid letting the problem fester as this can lead to the sores worsening or resulting in more complications.

Manage Pressure Injuries at Home

Those who are bedridden are usually already battling a serious illness such as cancer. Otherwise, they may be an elderly family member who has mobility issues. For those who need to care for their loved ones at home, the responsibilities can be stressful and daunting. This is when you should seek professional help to assist you in daily care.

At Jaga-Me, you will find a wide range of respite care services in Singapore that helps you with tasks – from changing the feeding tube to wound dressing. Our certified nurses are trained to prevent and identify pressure injuries, while providing care and support to you and your family at home. Stop suffering in silence and reach out to us to discuss how we can assist you in your home caring needs.

Travelling outdoors is beneficial for your loved ones with mobility issues as it will give them the encouragement that they can lead a relatively normal lifestyle despite having mobility issues. Safety and comfort should be your top priorities when travelling outdoors. Here are some tips on how to transfer your loved ones from the wheelchair to the car or vice versa.

Wheelchair to Car

Image by DHS

1. Position the wheelchair beside the car.
2. Ensure that you have enough room for the transfer. Push the car-seat as far back as possible.
3. Remove patient’s legs from foot-rests.
4. For the wheelchair, ensure that you have enabled the brakes and remove/move the foot-rests away.
5. Put your arms under the patient’s armpits and lock your hands. Straighten your back and bend your knees before lifting the patient. This is to avoid any back injury.
6. Count to three before lifting the patient.
7. Take small steps toward the door. Use the side of the car for support if needed.  
8. Ensure that the patient’s buttocks are placed as far back to the seat as possible before putting his/her legs into the car. This is to prevent the risk of the patient falling.

Car to Wheelchair

1. Position the wheelchair beside the car.
2. Lock the brakes of the wheelchair and remove the leg-rests.
3. Remove the seat-belt on the patient.
4. Position your left arm on the patient’s back and place your right arm under the knees.
5. Ensure legs are firmly placed on the ground.
6. Place your hands under the patient’s armpits. Bend your knees and straighten your back before lifting the patient.
7. Count to three before lifting the patient out of the car seat.
8. Take small steps towards the wheelchair.
9. Lower the patient on the wheelchair.
10. Put the foot-rests back and place patient’s feet on the foot-rests.

Need a visual demonstration? Watch this video here!

About Jaga-Me 

At Jaga-Me, we believe in the empowerment of our caregivers. You can engage with a professional nurse or occupational therapist to guide you on how to do proper transference techniques for your loved ones. Alternatively, you can engage our home care services and our professional JagaPros will provide you with caregivers’ training on how to move your loved ones around safely and easily while travelling outdoors! 

Eating healthy and sticking to a healthy diet routine is tough. Often, people simply lack the motivation to get started or lose their motivation to maintain the dietary changes they want to make. So here are some tips to help you get started, and hopefully, keep you going:

1. Set clear, specific short-term and long-term goals
   • Plan when, where and how to achieve your dietary goals.
     • I will eat vegetables every day vs I will order two vegetable dishes when I have economy rice. I will have salad at the salad bar near my work place at least two times per week. I will ask for more vegetables whenever possible.
   • Anticipate possible barriers in carrying out your plans.
   • Brainstorm on strategies for coping with these barriers to reduce negative emotions.
2. Focus on past success
   • Recall past instance(s) where you chose a healthy food over an unhealthy food, and the positive emotions that came along with the decision(s)  
   • Plan to replicate the same thought process that led to those decisions in similar situations.
3. Monitor your progress
   • Keep a journal of your daily food and beverages intake will increase your awareness of your food choices and consumption pattern. 
   • Maintain a journal for at least 6 weeks will increase your chances of making positive dietary changes. 
   • Use your journal to monitor your performance against the short-term goals you have set. 
4. Get support from your family and friends
   • Eating is a social activity. Preparing healthier meals at home and having meals together can be enjoyable too. 
   • Social expectations can affect your food choices. Put a little pressure on the rest to order healthier food by being the first to do so in a group dining setting. 
   • Bring healthier food e.g. fresh fruit salad, baked chicken/fish, assorted vegetable casserole to social gatherings. 
5. Increase accessibility to healthier foods
   • Place fruits, raw/baked (unsalted and unroasted) nuts and beans such as edamame in the common area (at home and in office). 
   • Avoid storing unhealthy snacks in your pantry and at your work desk.  
   • Place vegetables, fruits and low fat dairy products closer to eye level in the fridge. 
6. Retrain your taste buds
   • Introduce more fresh and unprocessed foods in your diet. Your taste buds can be retrained such that you begin to appreciate the natural sweetness and flavour of whole fruits, fresh vegetables, beans and unprocessed meat. 
   • Reduce intake of sweetened beverages/desserts, deep-fried and preserved/salted foods.
   • Give yourself a few weeks for your taste buds to become sensitive towards natural sweetness and flavour of healthy foods. 
7. Convert your positive dietary changes into new habits
   • Make a conscious effort to have some healthy foods daily. 
   • The more healthy food choices you make, the more likely you will develop new cravings for healthy food. 

Eating well is not difficult. It involves making gradual, positive changes to your eating habits. Give your body some time to adjust to the dietary changes, you will experience a new level of energy, enjoy health as well as better quality of life in the long run.

We recommend reading Old Age Survival Guide: Nutrition Facts You Should Know as well.

References: 

1. Riekert, K. A., Ockene, J. K., & Pbert, L. (Eds.). (2013). The Handbook of Health Behavior Change (4th ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.
2. Whatnall, M. C., Patterson, A. J., Ashton, L. M., & Hutchesson, M. J. (2018). Effectiveness of brief nutrition interventions on dietary behaviours in adults: A systematic review. Appetite, 120, 335–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2017.09.017

About the Author:
This article is written by Ong Sik Yin for Jaga-Me. Sik Yin holds a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Flinders University. She is an Accredited Dietitian of Singapore (Singapore Nutrition and Dietetics Association) and an Accredited Practising Dietitian (Dietitians Association of Australia). She is an advocate of building a supportive ecosystem and conducive environment to promote health and wellness. She has over 10 years of experience providing nutritional advice and sharing her knowledge in hospital settings and public forums. 

At Jaga-Me, we believe that healthcare should be a social good – it is a basic human need, and should be available to as many people as possible. We aim to deliver the highest quality care through innovation and a commitment to building meaningful relationships.

Save travelling and long wait times at the hospitals. Get specialised medical treatments:
– Urinary Catheterisation
– Complex Wound Care
– Nasogastric (NG) Feeding Tube
– IV Infusion Therapy

Jaga-Me: Your Trusted Medical Home Care Professional

“I am not supposed to give my mother chicken, eggs or seafood, such as prawns, after surgery.”

Some believe that having chicken and seafood slows down wound healing. However, there is little evidence to back these claims. As surgery creates stress for our bodies, we require more nutrients to strengthen our immunity to prevent infections. Protein is a key nutrient that helps in wound healing and chicken, eggs and seafood are good sources of protein.

“Having soy sauce after surgery makes the injury flare up and the scarring will worsen.”

It’s a common belief that taking soya sauce while healing from any infected surgery wounds causes marks. This is a myth as there is no evidence to support this. The best way to heal scars after surgery is to eat a diet rich in protein, vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C and E, Zinc and Iron to help with tissue growth and repair. So if your loved one has some soya sauce with their meal, you can rest assured their skin will not get marks!

Sample Diet Plan

We’ve included a sample meal plan above for post surgery recovery. However please seek your doctor’s advise before embarking on any such meal plans as your lifestyle, allergies and pre-existing conditions should be considered. If you have any doubt, you can teleconsult our doctors in Singapore to get advice on your post surgery meal plan.

Award winning Home Care trusted by health professionals – Jaga-Me

Lumpectomy

A surgery to remove cancerous or abnormal tissues from the breast. This surgery is also known as breast-conserving surgery or wide local excision because only a portion of the breast is removed.

Mastectomy

Mastectomy is the medical term for the removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely.

Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction also can be done many months or even years after mastectomy or lumpectomy. During reconstruction, a plastic surgeon creates a breast shape using an artificial implant (implant reconstruction), a flap of tissue from another place on your body (autologous reconstruction), or both.

What to expect after surgery?

Tubes & Drains

After the surgery (usually following a mastectomy or breast reconstruction surgery), patients may be discharged with tubes or drainage device. These drains are important in removing liquid buildup at surgery site. Patients are usually shown how to care for their tubes or drainage devices. This usually includes emptying the drains, measuring the liquids and keeping an eye out for any infections. Drains are usually removed a week or two post-surgery.

Bras

Post-surgery , patients will get a special bra that holds bandages in place after surgery. The doctor will advise on when the bra can be removed and you will be shown how to change the dressing. This activity is advisable with the aid of a caregiver.

Patients, should they wish to opt-out for breast reconstruction can get prostheses. Find out more about breast prostheses here. 

Being measured for the right size bra is crucial for breast maintenance and breast health. Patients should always size her bra to the larger breast. As bra sizing is not a perfect science, it takes a little trial and error to find the perfect fit.

Daily Activities

Daily activities like sweeping, typing and driving may be hindered while patient is in recovery. What one can manage differs from person to person, depending on which surgery the patient has had. Patients are advised not to carry anything heavy or make any big movements while their wounds heal.

Exercising Your Arm

You will experience pain and stiffness post-surgery. Exercises help to decrease side effects of your surgery and help you get back to your usual activities.

However, it’s important to talk with your doctor before starting any exercise programme. Some exercises should not be done until drains and sutures (stitches) are removed. But some exercises can be done soon after surgery. The exercises that increase your shoulder and arm motion can usually be started in a few days. Exercises to strengthen arm mobility may be added later.

You may be suggested to see a physical therapist or occupational therapist. These professionals are specially trained to design an exercise program for you. Patients who do not have full use of their arm within 3 to 4 weeks of surgery may require such assistance.

How can Jaga-Me Help?

It is important to know that Breast Cancer Patients do not have to go through their recovery alone. We provide professional cancer care for your loved one. If your loved one needs help with their daily activities or wound care, you can engage our services. If you need personalised caregiver training, you can simply ask our nurses! We will assess the condition of the patient and provide you a personalised care plan on how to care for her.

Award winning Home Care trusted by health professionals – Jaga-Me

More than a year on, Singapore is now learning to live with the virus as an endemic rather than a pandemic – meaning COVID-19 is likely here to stay, not unlike the seasonal influenza or dengue fever. As such, travel restrictions are slowly eased as more destinations open up their gates to travellers. If you are sick of the seemingly endless staycations, perhaps now is a good time to utilise those miles you have been saving for. However, travelling during the endemic period requires proper planning.

Before you book those air tickets, keep yourself updated with the latest news and potential risks, and find out what you can do about them.

Vaccinated Travel Lanes, or VTLs

Supported by the high vaccination rate amongst the population, Singapore has successfully implemented several Vaccinated Travel Lanes – or VTLs – which are travel bubbles that allow travellers to go overseas without the need to be quarantined. The VTL air travel programme is available between Singapore and the following countries*:

*Accurate as of 8 December 2021.

Assess the Situation

While the number of COVID-19 cases in Singapore may be stabilising, travellers should still take into account the domestic COVID-19 situation in their travel destination. For example, while India’s count of active cases has declined, there is still a substantial number of new coronavirus infections recorded. There were also more than 20 reported cases of the new Omicron variant.

An area with a population that is largely vaccinated would also make it harder for the virus to spread, thus making it safer for you and your family. Therefore, it is good to stay informed with the vaccination rate. Additionally, you should also be aware of any special requirements such as the need to take pre-departure COVID-19 swab tests, as is the case for residents of Singapore travelling to the Netherlands.

Implement Safety Precautions

Whether you are visiting another country, or going around Singapore, it is prudent to adopt measures that will keep you and the people around you safe from viral transmissions. Remember to wear a mask when you travel outdoors and practice good hygiene by washing your hands often and dispose of used tissues immediately. Bring along an alcohol-based hand sanitiser and see a doctor immediately if you’re feeling unwell.

Read up on the safety measures and regulations of the city or state to prevent flouting the law and avoid large crowds or gatherings where possible. It is mandatory for people in the United States to wear a face covering on planes, buses or any other public transportation modes, even if you are fully vaccinated.

Before & After Testing

If you intend to travel outside of Singapore, do note that it is compulsory to take a pre-departure test within 48 to 72 hours of your flight. You will not be allowed to travel if you receive a positive swab test result. Depending on your destination, you may also be required to take another COVID-19 test to confirm your results. Upon returning home, you’ll also need to complete a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) swab test at Changi Airport.

Safe Travels with Jaga-Me

At Jaga-Me, you’ll find a wide range of at-home PCR and serology COVID-19 tests conducted by qualified healthcare professionals. Approved by the Ministry of Health, our service offers travellers the convenience of booking, doing the swab tests and finding out the results without having to leave home. Our JagaPros will bring the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and test kits to your home, and all you need to do is to present your NRIC and passport to get tested. Read more about our COVID-19 at-home tests, or contact us to find a specialised solution for your needs.

The common types of Diabetes are

• Type 1 Diabetes : This is caused by an autoimmune reaction and usually develops during childhood.
• Type 2 Diabetes : Most common form of diabetes worldwide, affecting middle-aged and older people due to lifestyle ( e.g. unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, obesity)
• Gestational Diabetes : This occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after baby is born

1 in 9 Singaporeans aged 18-69 have diabetes and a third of them do not even know that they have diabetes. In 2011, diabetes was the 10th leading cause of death in Singapore.

Read our other article on Diabetes, Diets & Doting on Your Loved Ones to know more.

While diabetes cannot be cured, there are effective ways to manage your blood glucose levels to preserve your quality of life. 

Mobile apps are gaining popularity in the health space for home diabetes care and other conditions but are they tracking the right metrics?

5 Essential Management Functions for Home Diabetes Care

According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 5 aspects of essential diabetes management.

1. Medication
2. Blood Glucose Level
3. Physical Activity
4. Diet
5. Weight

A quick search on the Apple store shows many apps targeted at diabetics in Singapore but only a small number of apps factor in all 5 of these aspects.

A 2019 study ‘Examining Diabetes Management Apps Recommended From a Google Search: Content Analysis’ by researchers from the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) observed wide variability among the analyzed apps in terms of features and functions for diabetes management. Of the 24 apps tested in the study, two-thirds had blood glucose management features, and less than half had medication management features. The most prevalent feature was a nutrition or diet function, which was present in 79% of the apps. In addition, slightly more than half included functions for physical activity tracking, and a third had weight tracking functions.

Diabetic management requires an all-round approach. While these apps are still useful for a start, users may be misled into thinking that merely tracking some aspects is sufficient.

Based on the findings from the study, they identified two home diabetes care apps on app stores that track the full suite of Diabetes Management Functions.

1. Accu-Chek Connect Diabetes Management App (App Store)
2. Glucose Buddy

1. Accu-Chek Connect Diabetes Management App

• Requires supported Accu-Chek wireless meters to automatically transfer blood glucose results
• Saves you the hassle of written logs.
• Comes with Easy to read graphs to identify trends and patterns.
• Integrates with Apple health 
• Logs your meals, food images, insulin levels, exercise, medications, blood pressure and weight.

2. Glucose Buddy

• Logs your blood glucose, medication and meals in a single entry.
• Logs your meals, helps you understand how your food choices impact your blood sugar levels and make better food choices.
• Tracks trends in blood sugar, insulin, weight and blood pressure. 
• Exports your data into pdf reports to show your medical provider.
• Integrates with Dexcom and Apple Health app.

Below is a chart of the full list of diabetes apps included in the study. Despite most not tracking the 5 metrics, we believe that having some form of tracking coupled with your health checks by a professional is good for a start.

Jaga-Me: Your Trusted Medical Home Care Professional

At Jaga-Me, we believe that healthcare should be a social good – it is a basic human need, and should be available to as many people as possible. We aim to deliver the highest quality care through innovation and a commitment to building meaningful relationships.

Save travelling and long wait times at the hospitals. Get specialised medical treatments:
– Urinary Catheterisation
– Complex Wound Care
– Nasogastric (NG) Feeding Tube
– IV Infusion Therapy

– Urinary Catheterisation
– Complex Wound Care
– Nasogastric (NG) Feeding Tube
– IV Infusion Therapy

If you or a loved one requires home care for diabetic management, our comprehensive diabetes home care guide includes more information on how our Jaga-Me caregivers can provide diabetes care at home.

Jaga-Me: Your Trusted Medical Home Care Professional

References:

1. Examining Diabetes Management Apps Recommended From a Google Search: Content Analysis by Geronimo Jimenez, MA, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University.

Benefits of Home  Caregiving Services

With the elderly projected to make up half of Singapore’s population by 2050, home care services are incredibly important for a myriad of reasons. Not only are they cost-effective, they are also an excellent choice for those looking for ways to age gracefully and be cared for with dignity, all in the comfort of their own home and community.

As mentioned earlier, respite caregiving is a form of home health services which exists alongside nursing procedures.  If you need to take a break from the heavy responsibilities of caregiving while leaving your loved ones in good hands, respite caregiving services can help you to do that.

1. Personalised, quality care

Home caregivers can offer patients a greater amount of dedicated time and attention. As the patient’s sole caregiver, they are able to offer more personalised, detailed and specialised caregiving services like modified exercise routines and medication management.

2. Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)

Home caregivers are specially trained to assist patients with the various activities of daily living (such as eating, showering and moving about) in a safe manner. Thus, patients can continue to live out their days in a comfortable and familiar environment with minimal danger to their health. This is especially important for elderly patients who require a little more tender loving care.

3. Offers compassionate companionship

For some, home care services are also a preferred alternative to nursing homes as a dedicated home caregiver tends to provide a better quality of companionship for the patient. Elderly patients are often found spending a lot of their time alone hence home caregivers are often seen as compassionate companions alongside the medical services they provide. Additionally,  families have the option of hiring a home caregiver who speaks the same language or dialect as their elderly loved one which  ensures  better communication between the caregiver and the patient.

4. Can relieve family caregivers from burnout risk

Finally, besides offering top-notch caregiving services, the hiring of home caregivers is also a viable option for family members who might be facing symptoms of fatigue and burnout. Family caregivers often run the risk of tiring out as full-time caregiving is both physically and mentally taxing. Hired home caregivers can step in when family caregivers need time to rest or to attend to other important matters like work. This decreases the chances of caregiver burnout.

Consult our JagaPros for in-home caregiving services

Hiring a home caregiver could be the right choice for you. Consult our team for expert advice and help in determining the right kind of home caregiving service for you.

Medical or non-medical, the financial and emotional weight of caregiving on a full-time basis can be challenging. With our home caregiving services, you can trust in our expertise and partner with our nurses to provide your loved one with a manageable day-to-day life.

For more information on acquiring support for loved ones, read more here.

Find out more about Jaga-Me and our services here.

That being said, mobility or illnesses should not prevent you from being with your loved ones. By taking the necessary precautions and with the right care plan, you can safely bring/transit your loved ones from these institutions to the comfort of your own home. Here are 5 steps on how you can do it!

1. Obtain Care Instructions

Ensuring you have adequate care knowledge is pivotal in bringing your loved ones home. Here are some things to note about care instructions!

• • i. How to assist your loved one in mobility, toileting and grooming, etc.

• • ii. Signs of Health Deterioration
  • iii. Follow-up actions such as who to contact and where/when to seek help.

However, if you feel that your loved one’s condition is too tough for you to handle, engage a home service provider to ensure you do not miss out any care detail and have a point of contact if anything should happen.

2. Learn Relevant Nursing Skills

i. Medication supply
Make sure you have enough supply for the duration of the home leave!

ii. Medication Route
There are several ways to administer medications. You have to make sure you do not get confused. Learn to differentiate which ones are edible and which are the ones to give rectally (oops!). There are also different ways one can consume their medication, for example, know if you can crush it, chew it or to let it melt in the mouth.

iii. Medication Time
There are also trickier instructions to take note like before or after meals. Tip: Set up alarms on your smartphone and label the alarm with the medication name so that you won’t miss out any meds.

4. Get Resources

Does your loved one need a wheelchair or walking frame to move about at home? Or do they need adult diapers? Be sure to prepare them before they get back home.

Tip: Have your family pitch in to care for your loved one. Disperse the caregiving responsibilities! You should be enjoying the reunion.

5. Arrange for Transport

Now that you know the care needs for your loved ones, you just have to arrange for a transport home! If your loved one requires more space, help and equipment, consider getting a private ambulance. Here are some contacts:

Lentor Ambulance: 6100 1777
Angel Ambulance: 8338 2526

However, if your loved one can walk with little or no assistance, you can always take a cab, Uber or Grab back from the institution.

These are the 5 basic steps to bringing your loved ones home back for the annual Chinese New Year reunion dinner. Sounds a little too complicated? It may be tough, but it is going to be a meaningful endeavour. Let us assist you with this complicated coordination work while you concentrate on spending quality time with your loved one!

Award winning Home Care trusted by health professionals – Jaga-Me

Bed Mobility

• Moving up the bed

Image source: The Brookside Associates

1. Ensure you are standing at the side of the bed.
2. Ensure the patient’s knees are bent. You can ask your loved one to bend their knees or you can help them to do so.
3. Put one arm under the patient’s shoulder blade and the other arm under his thigh
4. Count to three before lifting.
5. Lift the patient. Ensure that you ask the patient to push himself up as much as possible during the lift.

• Lying to sitting position

Image Source: The Brookside Associates

1. You should ask the patient to bend his knees or you can help him or her to do so before you start.
2. Put one hand on the patient’s knees and the other hand on the shoulder that is further away from you. Roll the patient towards you. His current position should be lying on his side.
3. You can swing his leg down the side of the bed.
4. You should then put one hand under the patient’s shoulders [the shoulder that is lying on the mattress] and the other hand on his upper-hip.
5. Count to three before lifting. Ask the patient to push himself up as much as possible during the lift. This is to encourage the patient to be more independent and you can save some strength and effort as well.

Bed to Chair/Wheelchair

Image Source Fairview

1. Ensure you have plenty of room for transfer.
2. Position the wheelchair at about 90 degrees from the bed surface.
3. Ensure that the wheelchair’s brakes are engaged before commencing the transfer.
4. Put your arms underneath the patient’s armpits and lock your arms. The patient may hold you around your waist to feel more secure.
5. Ensure that the patient’s knees should be positioned 90 degrees and feet are placed firmly on the ground.
6. Count to three before proceeding to lift.
7. Lift the patient up and encourage the patient to lift himself up as much as possible during the lift. This is to reduce the amount of energy needed to lift him up.

About Jaga-Me 

If you are unsure of how to transfer your loved ones safely at home, you can engage with a professional nurse or occupational therapist to guide you on how to do proper transference techniques. At Jaga-Me, we believe in the empowerment of our caregivers. You can engage Jaga-Me’s professional home care services and our certified JagaPros will guide you on the proper techniques of how to move your loved ones around safely and easily at home.

Award winning Home Care trusted by health professionals – Jaga-Me

Unexpected Challenges

What do you do when the feeding tube accidentally dislodges or if an abdominal bag needs an urgent change? For many of us, who are inexperienced, and wary of causing pain or more harm to our loved ones, the first thought is to immediately rush to the nearest A&E where long queues await. The stresses of caregiving, travelling and waiting are only aggravated by the sight of the elderly loved one suffering alongside. But why should something as simple as a change of the feeding tube be such a stressful event? Managing clinical devices at home is preferred to waiting in long queues at the hospital at all hours of the day and it is possible with home care nursing. Ultimately, the aim is to help the patient recuperate in comfort.

The use of clinical devices is quickly migrating from the hospital into our homes. Common home clinical devices you may know about are blood pressure machines and glucometers. Today, patients are discharged with more sophisticated ones like feeding tubes, abdominal bags, and ventilators. Advancements in technology mean that the possibility of more in-home clinical devices is on the healthcare horizon. This is especially true in Singapore, which has recently emerged as a hub for clinical devices. However, this is often a double-edged sword as, despite its convenience, having these devices in the home can mean higher caregiver stress and a requirement for closer monitoring.

Help Caregivers Will Need

In the same vein, caregivers also need their fair share of help. In many cases, believing that they are left with little choice, caregivers disrupt or place their lives on hold, often taking leave from work or dedicating all their free time to caring for their loved ones because they feel that no one else would be equipped to handle the task. As one study showed, 84% of home care patients aged 65 years and over require skilled nursing services. However, with home care nurses shouldering some of these medical tasks, caregivers can direct their attention to the emotional and personal needs of their loved ones.

Clinical Procedures at Home

When a patient is discharged with a clinical device, the hospital can only advise on the proper care steps. As there is not much opportunity for follow-up until the next appointment, the caregiver must have a basic knowledge of the device and a backup plan for emergencies. Having a home care service like Jaga-Me’s Clinical Procedures can save patients time and money that would otherwise be spent rushing to the hospital and pay their exorbitant fees. If there are doubts on device care or function, our help is immediate and personalised. The Clinical Procedure allows you to schedule the changing and maintenance of these devices from the comfort of your home.

Award winning Home Care trusted by health professionals – Jaga-Me

These statistics are worrying, however, once we understand the common misconceptions and issues surrounding men’s health, we can better address them.

Why should we treat men’s health issues differently from women?

The short answer is: men and women are different. Furthermore, every body is different. Men face different challenges in healthcare from women. This can be attributed to a whole host of reasons – cultural, societal, and personal. Paying attention to the longevity gap between men and women – a gap that has continued to widen despite advances in medicine – might prove useful in busting these misconceptions and challenges thus improving the state of affairs in  men’s health.

The challenge facing men’s health

A combination of biological, social, and behavioural factors contribute to the lag men experience in better health habits compared to their female counterparts.

Although men can’t change their biological make-up or external factors such as work stress that affect them on a daily basis, they can improve their mindsets towards cultivating better habits when it comes to their health. Unhealthy patterns around ‘macho-ness’ can prove detrimental in the long run.

For instance, healthcare issues become harder to fix when they aren’t actively sought out or checked for. As a general rule of thumb, annual check-ups are recommended, even if you don’t feel sick. However, men are usually reluctant to make medical check-ups a routine part of their lives.

Some of the health conditions men are much more likely to face include heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and prostate cancer. And, as it is with health conditions, the longer you wait to find out, the tougher it becomes to seek and attain successful treatment. Early detection can help with lowering the mortality rate.

Common misconceptions about men’s health

Misconception 1: Men cannot get breast cancer.

Although women are much more likely to get breast cancer, there’s no saying that men aren’t at risk too. A family history of breast cancer is highly associated with the increased risk. The two inherited genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, lead to the majority of hereditary breast cancer.

Misconception 2: Men’s health has no effect on reproduction.

If you’re planning on having children, the health of the sperm will affect the baby. Smoking, excessive drinking, steroid use and sexually-transmitted infections (STI) are all contributors to not being able to produce healthy sperm. Good lifestyle habits are necessary for successful and healthy reproduction.

Misconception 3: Men don’t need regular check-ups like women do.

Gender doesn’t play a role here – everyone needs regular check-ups and appointments. It’s crucial that men begin to see this as important as well. Developing proactiveness towards your own health is a step in the right direction.

What steps can men and society take towards destigmatisation?

Oftentimes, its in our social support systems and relationships where we learn most from, so the best thing men can do is to cultivate healthier relationships and stronger support networks. It may even help to form close contacts with the same gender, as it will create a safer space for healthier conversations around physical and mental well-being. Giving importance to good habits and regular health check-ups can also make an impact on how men see themselves and their health.

As it takes two hands to clap, the fight to destigmatise will also require the efforts of not only men but everyone else as well. What are some of the ways we can begin this journey?

• Education: By running mental health literacy campaigns and raising public awareness around the issue, more individuals will be made aware of the misconceptions and need for greater attention.
• Support Networks: These aid in bolstering confidence and courage in peer-to-peer conversations and relationships.

A small change can lead to ripple effects so hopefully, over time, we’ll be able to see positive changes take hold in society.

Seek caregiving services from our JagaPros

Do you need additional support in caring for a loved one? Medical or non-medical, the financial and emotional weight of caregiving on a full-time basis can be challenging. With our home care services, you can entrust in our expertise and partner with our nurses to provide your loved one with manageable day-to-day life.

For more information on acquiring support for loved ones, read more here.

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