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Home is best

HOME Instead East Northants is very aware of the need to prevent hospitalisation of the elderly and have brought out a new booklet, ‘5 Ways to Prevent Hospitalisation’.

Hospitals save lives, but no one wants to spend any more time than necessary in one.

When older people are admitted to hospitals there is a much higher risk of acquiring infections and muscle wasting through time spent in a hospital bed and in an unfamiliar environment.

For people over the age of 80 years, 10 days spent in a hospital bed equates to 10 years of muscle wasting.

More than ever, older people are being admitted to hospital and are then slow to be discharged because they do not have the right support in place at home.

Home Instead can make sure that all the practical arrangements are in place from transport home, to having fresh linen on the bed, stocking the fridge and liaising with the doctor’s surgery for appointments and prescriptions. CAREgivers make sure the client has eaten, had a nice cuppa, and is comfortable before they leave.

How can we avoid a family member ending up in hospital?

* Firstly, it’s important for older people to follow their GP’s direction. Home Instead CAREgivers are trained to spot ‘red flag’ changes such as unused medication and worsening chronic conditions.

* To encourage walking where possible even five to 10 minutes will make a huge difference. * Activities to keep the brain active such as puzzles or drawing will stimulate the synapses.

* A balanced varied diet containing plenty of fresh fruit vegetables, oily fish and starchy foods. Calcium in dairy products is extremely important to combat osteoporosis.

An elderly person needs to keep hydrated and should drink on average one and a half litres a day. But if this is quite a tall order, a jelly as a dessert can be counted as one of your five glasses a day.

* Companionship is important as research shows that loneliness and social isolation are harmful to our health, so it is very important to encourage social activities. Home Instead East Northants now runs Companionship Cafes which are open to anyone in the community over the age of 65.

These are held at Rushden Lakes M&S Cafe and Sainsburys in Wellingborough. For more information and dates and times call 01933 678775 and speak to Marie or Lucy.

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