Head injury care | Secure Healthcare Solutions

hIt could come to a point in your or a family member’s life when certain home adaptations are needed to be made around the home to help with everyday tasks. If you have a home carer, one of the main benefits is that you can retain your independence and live at home. Yet there are still certain things that can be done to make it that little bit easier. One thing that you can do is make home adaptations.

If you are worried about falling over, accessing items in your kitchen, or getting in and out of the bath, there are things that you can do. Speak to your home care team who can also help with what might be best for you.

Top home adaptations that you might need to make in your home include:

Motion sensor lights – These can be placed so they automatically turn on when you get out of bed or walk in the front door. This can help to prevent trips and falls.
Stairlifts and a second-hand rail – If you struggle with getting up the stairs, these options can make it much safer and easier to do.
A key safe or door entry system – This will prevent you from having to get up every time the door goes for your carer or family member but also ensures that only those with the correct code will have access to your home.
Shower seats and bath rails – If you have a bath or shower, the hardest thing can be getting in and out, or standing up for the duration. Rails will help with this.
Powered recliner chairs – If you have trouble getting out of your chair, a powered riser-recliner will aid you with this.

Look to see what financial help is available

When it comes to making home adaptations, it can be expensive. Luckily there is financial help available if you need it. You might be eligible for support from your local council if you need to make small changes. Otherwise, for larger adaptations, you can apply for a disabled facilities grant.

Once you have applied for this, you will have an occupational therapist visit your home. They will walk around with you and you can show them what you struggle with. You will then work out just what you might need together. These assessments usually take at least an hour. It can be helpful to have a friend or family member with you to help explain your situation. They can also take notes if necessary.

Small adaptations usually don’t cost anything. The council should pay for each adaptation that costs less than £1,000. If you need a more expensive adaptation such as to widen doors to make room for a wheelchair or fitting a wet room, you could apply for the Disabled Facilities Grant or the Independence At Home grant.

Think about the future

When you are looking to get home adaptations, it is important that you think not only of what will be good now but also what will suit your needs for the future. It is better to get as much done in one go. This will save having to keep coming back and change what you are doing to your house, causing more hassle. When someone comes to do your assessment, this is something that you can talk about with them. If you have a home carer you can also ask them for advice to make your home better equipped for your needs.

Need more help at home? Want advice on your home adaptations? Whether you are looking for a home carer, personal care or a live-in carer, we are here to help. Check out our services and what we can do for you.

Dysphagia is a condition that means it is hard to swallow food or liquid. Not only is this distressing in itself, but if the person it is impacting is not eating it can lead to serious problems such as malnutrition, pneumonia or dehydration. This is why it is so important to try and assist with this as soon as possible. Some of the main conditions which could lead to dysphagia include Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, a stroke, head injury and cancer, particularly cancer of the oesophagus. Often, medical conditions such as the above, can cause the nerves or muscles in the throat to become weak or not work properly, making it difficult to swallow food and drink.

What are the symptoms of dysphagia?

If you have dysphagia you could have difficulty swallowing certain liquids or foods, cough or choke when drinking or eating, bring food back up and be unable to chew food properly.

What does a nutritious diet include?

A nutritious diet will keep the body and mind healthy, strong and in the best state possible. A nutritious diet should consist of the following:
Carbohydrates – Found in foods like pasta, bread, cereals and rice

Healthy fats – Healthy fats are present in dairy, butter and oil
Protein – Protein can be found in pulses, nuts, meat, eggs and fish
Vitamins and minerals – Different vitamins and minerals are found in different foods. For example, Vitamin C is present in citrus fruits, Iron in meat, poultry and beans and Vitamin A in vegetables such as carrots and kale.
Fluids – Water is best for the body to keep you hydrated

How to help someone with dysphagia swallow their food and drink

There are a number of different tips and methods for people with dysphagia and it is a good idea to try different techniques and see what works best for the individual. These are just a few things you can try to help your loved one.

Encourage them to sit upright, relax and take their time with chewing small, manageable pieces of food
Have more frequent, smaller meals and snacks rather than three large meals in a day
Eat soft foods that are easy on the throat, such as soup or yoghurt
Mash up food that is not naturally soft, or finely chop it so it is easy to manage. This can include meat, vegetables and fruit
Cook food until it becomes tender. This includes cooking rice or vegetables for longer to ensure they are soft and easier to swallow
Make smoothies or shakes. Instead of trying to help them to eat an apple or banana, why not put them together in a blender and make them into a smoothie? You can add milk to make it easier to swallow. You could also add in some protein powder to ensure they are getting enough protein for their body
Use plenty of gravy and sauce to help food go down easier
Avoid foods that are too salty, dry, sticky or have pips in as these can all be difficult to swallow
Take small sips of water or another drink between mouthfuls. Make sure these are small sips. If not, you might get full of water

How to decide what to make
There are also a host of recipe books out there which are specifically designed for dysphagia and if you need help with swallowing. No matter if you are suffering from swallowing and need help with Parkinson’s care, Multiple Sclerosis Care, Stroke Care, head injury care and cancer care, there are some great resources to help. You could also try looking on Pinterest. Speak to the individual who is impacted and ask what foods they fancy. You can then put together a plan and some recipes based on this.

Remember that each individual is different and that some techniques might work better than others. Communicate with the individual and see what they feel comfortable with trying.

If you have someone coming in to help with the care of your loved one with Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis, a stroke, head injury, cancer or anything else that can cause dysphagia, be sure to voice any questions you might have. We have a range of home care health professionals who can help. Find out more about how we can help with Parkinson’s care, Multiple Sclerosis Care, Stroke Care, head injury care and cancer care as well as our other services here.