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! 

“I’m too tired for this, please just leave me alone.”

However, caregiver burnout can be relieved if you manage such negative feelings well. The first step is always to notice the symptoms of caregiver burnout. If you can relate to the points below, it is the right time to seek help in terms of alternative healthcare options such as respite home care services. 

Feelings of guilt

Imagine this scenario when you are about to try out a dementia day care centre for your mum. It’s her first day, and you waited around to help assimilate her into the surroundings. You try your best to make her feel as comfortable as possible by bringing her favourite cushions and flowers into her bedroom and assured her while she is still adapting to the place. Then you leave the daycare centre and felt a huge sense of relief as you can finally get some quality sleep for once in peace. But you can’t shake off this unrelenting sense of guilt for leaving her in the hands of other caregivers as you take the chance to relax and do anything else but caregiving.
Many caregivers face this feeling of guilt which leads to caregiver burnout. Even when they are doing everything well, they still think they are not doing well enough. Guilt is an extremely complex feeling. It’s when we take on the expectations of our society, our culture, and our family upon ourselves, and we become our own toughest critic. It is a feeling of inadequacy, and that we are ‘never doing enough’.

How to Cope with Guilt:

Get the feeling that you are never enough out of your mind. Nobody is perfect all the time, and it is normal to feel inadequate at times. It may help to have an open and mutually respecting communication with your loved one. While understanding their needs, be honest about how you are feeling as well. Understand that you are helping your loved one as best as you can, and you are improving as a caregiver with every step of the way.

Caregiver’s depression

Caregiver burnout and depression is actually more common among caregivers than you would think. Caregiver depression comes when you start feeling hopeless, dejected and jaded about the situation. However, caregiver depression can be managed. Here are some symptoms you may face if you are dealing with caregiver depression:

1. 1. Crying and breaking down more frequently than usual

1. 1. Being perpetually tired, exhausted, and have a high inertia to do things

1. 1. Weight loss due to decreased appetite. Or weight gain due to stress eating.

1. 1. Lack of sleep and adequate rest

1. 1. Being increasingly irritable and angry all the time

1. 1. A loss of interests in people or activities that once brought you pleasure

1. 1. Increase in usage of vices such as alcohol or cigarettes

1. 1. Suicidal thoughts, and desire to give up

1. 1. Chronic physical pain such as migraines, neck or back pain

1. 1. Feelings of anxiety, anger and isolation

1. Loss of focus and unable to do things well and efficiently

How to Cope with Caregiver’s Depression:

1. Physical exercise: Exercise releases endorphins that help relieve stress and anxiety. Regular exercise will reduce symptoms of depression. 
2. Finding support: Join a caregiver support group to expand your network. It will help with feelings of isolation when you find people who are going through the same struggles as you, and you are able to pick up tips and tricks from the experiences and testimonials of people who have walking in the shoes you have walked in. There are many caregiver support groups in Singapore like TOUCH caregiver support group, and Alzheimer’s disease association caregivers support group.
3. Respite time: Respite time gives you a break from your caregiving responsibilities. It can help you relieve stress to fuel you for a long road ahead. To get more time for yourself, you can engage in home healthcare services so professional nurses can provide help in the comforts of your own homes.

Feelings of anger

Anger comes when you find yourself snapping at your loved ones more frequently. You find yourself saying things like “why are you walking so slowly?”. You might also deliberately hurt your loved one by inducing guilt in them like “I have to sacrifice my career just to take care of you”.

How to Cope with Anger:

1. 1. Framing your mindset: Don’t blame your care recipient for the situation that you are in. Try to separate the person from the condition. The illness, not the care recipient, is the reason for the difficulties and challenges both of you are facing.  

1. Seek professional help: Make an appointment with a therapist, family counsellor or spiritual advisor.

Lastly, caregiver burnout and stress can be a silent health crisis. Feelings of negativity can creep on you without you suspecting it. Hence, if you do need help caregiving for your loved ones, so seek alternative healthcare options like home care services with professional nurses to provide the necessary care your loved ones need. Take the time for respite for yourself too, and fuel yourself for a longer road ahead.
Award winning Home Care trusted by health professionals – Jaga-Me

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a cognitive disease that results in the decline of cognitive abilities – memory and thinking skills. Someone who is living with dementia brain cells are dying gradually and they have lost the ability to learn new things. The only way to reduce cognitive decline is to reinforce skills or memories that dementia patients are familiar with.

Conversation Starter: For People Living with Dementia

To interact with someone living with dementia, you should appeal to their 5 senses – sight, touch, hearing, taste and smell. You can use tools like old photographs, favourite food or songs to help stimulate their memories. This will help bring back memories for them. Engage your loved one by asking simple questions about the item and have a conversation with them.

Dementia Tools You Can Use!

The key to communicating and engaging with your loved one is to get them to reminisce and talk about the past.

Old Photographs 

Engage with your loved ones in a conversation about the past using old photographs. You can ask them if they remember this set of location, who did they go with and what did they do there.

Music 

Play some songs your loved one likes. Music is a great intervention for a person living with dementia as it helps to prevent the further deterioration of their cognitive abilities. You can engage them with questions like where did they hear the song from, and what does it remind them of.

Food

If your loved ones like to cook, you can give them ingredients of their favourite recipes. Start the conversation with your loved one by asking them the process of cooking using the ingredients that you have given them. Get them to teach you how to cook their favourite recipes.

SilverCare Toys

Silvercare toys are designed for older adults with dementia. They are great activities to engage with your loved ones. You can try toys like puzzles, pokers cards and bowling pins. You can find out more about silvercare toys at Kydz International website.

4 Tips for Caregivers: 

1. Stay calm and cool when interacting with someone living with dementia.
2. Try to step into their shoes and understand from their point of view. Be patient with them.  
3. Speak in shorter sentences. Give concise information instead of rambling on. 
4. Do not bombard your loved one with dementia with loads of information and questions.

About Jaga-Me

Jaga-Me is an award-winning home care service provider. If you need quality care for your loved ones, we have trained professionals that will help you take care of your loved one. With Jaga-Me, you can have a worry-free day or a good night’s rest. To find out more about respite care for your loved ones, you can visit our services page here. If you want to read more about how to interact effectively with your loved one, you can click here. 

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

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

On 28 March 2019, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) recalled 3 brands of the high blood pressure medication losartan over cancer risk. All losartan products in Singapore have been tested and three out of the 10 brands of losartan being sold here contain higher than acceptable amounts of nitrosamine impurity, specifically N-nitroso-N-methyl-4-aminobutyric acid (NMBA), which can potentially cause cancer.

Losartan and nitrosamine impurity

NMBA is a nitrosamine impurity that has been observed to cause cancer in animal studies and has been identified as a potential cancer-causing risk in humans. Nitrosamine compounds can be found in very small quantities in some food products like pickled vegetables, salted fish and processed meat and also in tobacco products. The potential risk of cancer is with long-term exposure to unacceptable levels of the impurities.

The presence of NMBA impurity in losartan was unexpected. It was not previously recognised that there could be a chemical reaction during the manufacturing process that could produce this compound. Any presence of such impurities in drug products is not acceptable; hence there was a need to recall the 3 brands of losartan as a safety precaution.

Losartan is still an effective medication

The problem is not with the medication; NMBA is a contaminant that was included or formed in the manufacturing process of the 3 brands of losartan that caused the problem. A 2016 study that involved analyzing data involving about 150,000 patients found that there was no evidence of cancer risk associated with the use of losartan and its family of medication.

Losartan can be found on the World Health Organisation’s List of Essential Medicines, which lists the most effective and safe medicines that are needed and should be made available in a healthcare system. A 2010 research paper which reviewed the previous 15 years of losartan use, reports that losartan is beneficial for controlling blood pressure, reducing stroke risk and protecting kidney function in certain groups of diabetic patients.  

HSA is working with the companies and international regulatory authorities to identify the root causes of the contamination and the required measures to address the issue. Patients should not lose faith in the medication itself. Other brands of losartan are still available that have been tested and does not contain NMBA. You can refer to the full list of affected and unaffected brands on HSA’s website here or consult your healthcare provider if you are unsure if you are taking an affected brand.

Losartan belongs to the family of medication called the angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)

Losartan was the first in the family of ARBs to be approved for medical use in the United States in 1995. Since then, other ARBs have been developed. Other ARBs available in Singapore include candesartan, irbesartan, telmisartan and valsartan. As a family, ARBs mainly work by preventing the production of chemicals in the body that constrict blood vessels. This helps to expand blood vessels and reduce resistance to blood flow hence resulting in a lower blood pressure. ARBs are most commonly being used to treat high blood pressure. They can also be prescribed for other reasons, always check with your doctor.  

As losartan is used to treat high blood pressure, it is very important not to stop taking this medication on your own until you consult a doctor.  High blood pressure is often referred to as a silent killer as most patients with untreated high blood pressure usually have no obvious symptoms to alert them that something is wrong. Over time, detrimental damage to the heart and kidneys can occur. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

If you are currently taking the affected brand of losartan, HSA advises that “there is no immediate health risk associated with taking the affected losartan”, in fact, “sudden stopping of losartan can pose a greater and more immediate risk to patient’s health.” Always consult your doctor or pharmacist who can review and provide you with a replacement brand of losartan or an alternative medication that is best for you.

Blood pressure medications such as losartan are just one aspect of the treatment of high blood pressure.  Taking your medications everyday is necessary but it is not a substitute for a good lifestyle. Lifestyle and dietary changes play an equally important role in reducing blood pressure.You can contact the HSA hotline at 6866 3538 or email contact_hprg@hsa.gov.sg if you have further enquiries on the recall of losartan. More details and updates on the recall are posted on the HSA website via this link.

About the Author:
This article is written by Vanessa Ong. Vanessa is a registered pharmacist with the Singapore Pharmacy Council. She spent several years in the inpatient setting in a local hospital. She enjoyed her time spent in the wards working with a dedicated healthcare team passionate about better patient outcomes. She strongly believes that evidence-based health information can be made simple so that the public can find joy in taking ownership of their health and live life to the fullest.

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

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

Are you a caregiver struggling with looking for long-term care options in Singapore? You might want to read on and find out how home care can solve the many issues you face as a caregiver.

The current healthcare system in Singapore relies heavily on institutions such as hospitals. While they are effective in treating acute diseases such as tuberculosis, they might not be the best option for treating lifestyle diseases. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and stroke are known as lifestyle diseases. They are not contagious and thus, hospitals are not the most suitable option to treat lifestyle diseases like diabetes and stroke. Institutions are not dealing with our chronic health problems effectively and this is evidenced by the lack of long-term care options, bed crunch in the hospitals and expensive long-term care.

Here are some issues caregivers often face:

• Lack of awareness for long-term care options

Many caregivers lack the awareness of long-term care options like home care. This is because the first point of contact for healthcare issues are institutions e.g. clinics or hospitals. Many caregivers are only aware of nursing homes and community hospitals as their options for long-term care. Not many are aware of home care as a viable option.

• Long waiting time and queues at hospitals

When caregivers faced an emergency, for example, the dislodgement of a feeding tube or a fever, the first instinctive decision is to go to an A&E. However, going to an A&E is not the most viable option because you have to wait for hours before seeing the doctor and wait a few more hours for a hospital bed.

However, these issues you face can be solved with home care services. Home care nurses or home doctors are able to solve these minor issues for you. You save hours of waiting time and transportation fees to bring your loved ones to the A&E.

• Expensive Long-Term Care Costs

Many institutions like nursing homes and community hospitals are expensive despite government subsidies. A private nursing home will cost about $1,200 – $4,500 a month without the benefits of privacy and freedom because nursing homes are strictly routinised.

Solution: Home Care

Keeping our loved ones at home amongst family is the most preferable option for most families. However, with our current healthcare model, it is difficult. Caregivers will have to deal with the strain and stresses of shuttling their loved one for doctors’ appointments, learning how to care for a patient at home and the financial burden of long-term cost. Caregiver’s stress should not be taken lightly as it affects all aspects of an individual’s life. You can check out our article on how to cope with caregiver burnout.

The solution to the issues caregivers faced is to engage in-home care services. You can check out our Careshield article on the price comparison between nursing home and home care services.

About Jaga-Me 

At Jaga-Me we believe in making healthcare accessible and available to everyone. We provide personalised and curated care for your loved ones. If you need a trained medical escort to accompany your loved ones for their medical appointments or a trained nurse to do nursing procedures, you can engage our home care services.

Let Jaga-Me share your caregiving responsibility!

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.

In this article, we discuss some ways to finance cancer treatments in Singapore and how you can get some help.

Challenges of being diagnosed with cancer

Cancer patients are often faced with the problem that they may have to opt for more affordable options, which can compromise their treatment plan. Not only is it dangerous to leave a tumour untreated, but chances are there will also be additional complications as time passes. Oftentimes, cancer can bring forth unforeseen or unplanned expenses.

A lot of cancer patients in Singapore are required to undergo multiple tests and medical procedures to assess the condition. These tests include CT and MRI scans, ultrasounds or biopsies. All these processes can already add up to a substantial amount, sometimes even before the type of cancer has been determined.

Treatment plans can also vary between individuals. Breast cancer treatments may involve invasive surgeries such as lumpectomies or mastectomies, while lung cancer treatments typically revolve around radiation therapies or chemotherapies. Each of these procedures have their own price tags, and are usually combined for better results. Whatever the mode of treatment, it is undeniable that the medical bill will be quite hefty, especially in Singapore.

Apart from treatment fees, there are also other medical and non-medical costs to be aware of. Some of the medical costs are:

• Doctor appointments
• Medications
• Caregivers
• Long-term and at-home care

Some of the non-medical costs are:

• Time off from work or possible unemployment
• Transportation and travel
• Family and living expenses
• Lifestyle changes

Financial support options

To ease the financial burden of cancer patients and their family members, the government has introduced several public welfare schemes and subsidies. Singaporeans can cover up to 80% of the total bill in public hospitals and can also tap into their Medisave funds for payment. There are also programmes such as Medifund, which is an endowment fund to help patients in Singapore who are unable to pay their medical bills.

There are also healthcare insurances that provide patients with cancer coverage and medical treatments. Citizens of Singapore are also automatically covered under MediShield Life, which covers expenses incurred from hospitalisations and approved medical treatments in Singapore, such as chemotherapy and radiography.

The Singapore Cancer Society also offers various financial support options, such as:

Cancer Care Fund

The Cancer Care Fund is a one-time financial assistance scheme to relieve the financial burden of cancer patients who have recently been diagnosed, and who are from low or middle income families in Singapore.

Welfare Aid Fund

The Welfare Aid Fund provides temporary financial assistance and/or medical supplies to boost the wellbeing of cancer patients. and the funding amount varies according to the individual’s healthcare and financial needs.

Cancer Treatment Fund

The Cancer Treatment Fund provides financial subsidies to needy cancer patients who are referred to the Singapore Cancer Society by healthcare professionals or social workers.

Hospital Transportation Scheme

The Hospital Transportation Scheme helps financially needy cancer patients to travel from their homes to the restructured hospitals for their treatments.

Help the Children and Youth Programme

The Programme reaches out to children and youths who have experienced the impact of cancer – either as a patient or family member. It sponsors activities that help them to cope, such as tuition, youth camps and book prizes.

Save your worry about money

As a professional medical caregiver in Singapore, Jaga-Me understands the immense worry and financial burden a sudden cancer diagnosis can bring. For cancer patients, it’s important to attend all medical appointments and go for all treatments as advised by the doctor, but home is always the best. With a wide range of care and professional medical services in Singapore, our clients can save time and money on transportation fees and more while being treated in the comfort of their own homes.

Our trained nurses and doctors in Singapore are well-trained in providing quality care and conducting procedures, such as IV infusion chemotherapy and wound management. Let us help you through your cancer recovery journey today.

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.