Our Core Values 💙 

 

Core values are what support the vision, shape the culture and reflect what a company values. They are the essence of the company’s identity – the principles, beliefs or philosophy of values. What are our Core Values?

· Customer First – We never compromise on quality – we deliver services to world class standards, nothing less ever.

· Accountable – We represent our clients and customers with dignity and honesty. Our stakeholders trust us.

· Responsible – It is about seeing the whole job through to the end. It is not done until it is all done.

· Empower – Our leaders within the business are encouraged to problem solve, innovate and use the latest technology to support others.

· Effective Communication – Clarity, openness and a willingness to listen characterises our approach to interacting with others.

· Respect – Integrity, fairness, equality, diversity, cooperation, responsiveness and perceptiveness in how we treat others.

How to mind your mental health during this time
Keeping a realistic perspective of the situation based on facts is important.

Here are some ways you can do this.

Stay informed but set limits for news and social media
The constant stream of information about COVID-19 can be overwhelming. It can also make you feel unnecessarily worried. If it does, find ways to moderate what information you choose to take in, and when. For example, you could set aside a short time slot every day or two, to look out for important updates. It can also be difficult to separate facts from misinformation. Always make sure to get your information from trustworthy and reliable sources such as the HSE website and the HSPC website On social media, people often talk about their own worries or beliefs about COVID-19. This could increase your own worry and levels of anxiety. It is important to choose carefully who you engage with on social media, and for how long. If you find the coverage on COVID-19 is too intense for you, talk it through with someone close or get support.

Keep up your healthy routines
Your routine may be affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in different ways. But during difficult times like this, it’s best if you can keep some structure in your day. It’s important to pay attention to your needs and feelings, especially during times of stress. You may still be able to do some of the things you enjoy and find relaxing. For example, you could try to:
· exercise regularly, especially walking
· keep regular sleep routines
· maintain a healthy, balanced diet
· avoid excess alcohol
· practice relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises
· read a book
· search for online exercise or yoga classes, concerts, religious services or guided tours
· improve your mood by doing something creative

Stay connected to others
During times of stress, friends and families can be a good source of support. It is important to keep in touch with them and other people in your life.

If you need to restrict your movements or self-isolate, try to stay connected to people in other ways, for example:
· e-mail
· social media
· video calls
· phone calls
· text messages

Many video calling apps allow you to have video calls with multiple people at the same time.

Remember that talking things through with someone can help lessen worry or anxiety. You don't have to appear to be strong or to try to cope with things by yourself.

Try to anticipate distress and support each other
It is understandable to feel vulnerable or overwhelmed reading or hearing news about the pandemic. Acknowledge these feelings. Remind yourself and others to look after your physical and mental health.

Smoking, drinking and eating for comfort
If you smoke or drink, try to avoid doing this any more than usual. It won’t help in the long-term.
Eating habits can often be linked to your emotions. You may turn to food for comfort during this pandemic. Long-term comfort eating can lead to weight gain and affect your health. It’s important to be able to recognise and separate out your emotions from your eating.

Don’t make assumptions
Don’t judge people or make assumptions about who is responsible for the spread of the disease. COVID-19 can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, nationality or ethnicity. We are all in this together.

Online and phone supports
Face-to-face services might be limited at the moment because of the COVID-19 outbreak. But some services are providing online and phone services.

Falls & Pressure Area Care

However, people with health conditions that make it difficult for them to move their body often develop pressure ulcers. In addition, conditions that can affect the flow of blood through the body, such as type 2 diabetes, can make a person more vulnerable to pressure ulcers

Pressure ulcers can be unpleasant, upsetting and challenging to treat. Therefore, healthcare professionals use a range of techniques that are designed to prevent pressure ulcers developing in the first place. These include:
· regularly changing a person's position
· using equipment, such as specially designed mattresses and cushions, to protect vulnerable parts of the body

Falls in an ageing population
Falls have a multifactorial aetiology and numerous risk factors can be identified. These are diverse and can include such risks factors as
· Living Alone
· Age
· Limitations in mobility and undertaking activities of daily living without support
· Polypharmacy. Those who are taking more than 4 different types of medication have been shown to be at an increased a risk of falling
· Environmental hazards such as loose-fitting rugs, uneven floors and inadequate lighting
· Stairs without supporting handrails

There are ways in which you can support the client you are caring for and help reduce the risk of them having a fall
Key Tips:
· Encourage the person to keep active and do some exercises daily · Encourage a healthy diet which will improve overall health
· Remind the person to have their hearing and eye health checked regularly
· Remind the person & their family to have the persons medications checked and reviewed every year
· Encourage goof foot care, and recommend wear well fitted shoes and slippers when at home
· Ensure your clients home is safe by removing tripping hazards and encourage same when you are not on your work shift
· Encourage your client to have social contacts where possible and take time for friends

A urinary catheter is a flexible plastic tube used to drain urine from the bladder when a person cannot urinate. A nurse will place the catheter into the bladder by inserting it through the urethra. The urethra is the opening that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

When the catheter is in the bladder, a small balloon is used to keep the catheter in place. The catheter lets urine drain from the bladder into a bag. The bag is usually attached to the thigh. Urinary catheters can be used in both men and women. A catheter that stays in place for a longer period of time is called an indwelling catheter.

A catheter may be needed because of certain medical conditions. These include an enlarged prostate or problems controlling urine. It may be used after surgery on the pelvis or urinary tract. Urinary catheters are also used when the lower part of the body is paralyzed.

When helping a person with a catheter, try to be relaxed. Caring for a catheter can be embarrassing for both of you. This may be especially true if you are caring for someone of the opposite sex. If you are calm and don't seem embarrassed, the person may feel more comfortable.

How do you take care of the catheter?
Wear disposable gloves when handling someone's catheter. Make sure to follow all of the instructions the doctor has given. And always wash your hands before and after you're done.

Here are some other things to remember when caring for someone's catheter:

· Make sure that urine is running out of the catheter into the urine collection bag. And make sure that the catheter tubing does not get twisted or bent.

· Keep the urine collection bag below the level of the bladder. At night it may be helpful to hang the bag on the side of the bed.

· Make sure that the urine collection bag does not drag and pull on the catheter.

· It is okay to shower with a catheter and urine collection bag in place, unless the doctor says not to.

· Check for swelling or signs of infection in the area around the catheter. Signs of infection include pus or irritated, swollen, red, or tender skin.

· Do not apply powder or lotion to the skin around the catheter.

· Do not tug or pull on the catheter.

How do you empty the bag?
The urine collection bag needs to be emptied regularly. It is best to empty the bag when it's about half full or at bedtime. If the doctor has asked you to measure the amount of urine, do that before you empty the urine into the toilet.

When you are ready to empty the bag, follow these steps:

1. Put on disposable gloves.

2. Remove the drain spout from its sleeve at the bottom of the collection bag. Open the valve on the spout.

3. Let the urine flow out of the bag and into the toilet or a container. Do not let the tubing or drain spout touch anything.

4. After you empty the bag, close the valve and put the drain spout back into its sleeve.

5. Remove your gloves and throw them away.

6. Wash your hands with soap and water.

If you are concerned at any stage regarding your clients catheter care please contact your local nurse manager.