Challenging traditional nursing practices
Drop in for a chat and while you are here, let’s get that wound dressed: Blue Care’s new ‘leg club’ at its Springwood Community Centre has opened just in time for Wound Awareness Week.
Top: Blue Care client, Leanne Laver, has her leg bandaged by Blue Care clinical nurse, Maree Morris.
Bottom: (L-R) Blue Care clients, Dulcie Williams and Yvonne Maslen, have a great time over scones, tea, and a wound care chat.
By Yasmin Noone
To the standard observer, the link between wounds and socialising may appear to be a tad tenuous.
But in aged and community care, the relationship between the two seemingly diverse concepts is clear: socially engage an older adult with a laugh and a chat and there you have an opportunity to provide health advice and manage wounds.
The Blue Care Springwood Community Centre (QLD) has taken nursing to another level, having recently opened its ‘leg club’ in an effort to educate and manage the health of older locals.
The club operates along the same lines as any other social club, be it a book or knitting club.
The HACC eligible clients drop-in to the centre on any given Monday from midday to 4pm, and for a small fee, they can have their wounds dressed, receive information about health and active leg care and basically enjoy the company of staff and the other clients.
“Research has found that social factors and isolation can significantly affect leg ulcer patients’ response to treatment,” said Springwood Community Care’s service manager, Alicia Wooding.
“We’re challenging traditional nursing practices by focusing on preventative chronic disease management and educating our clients to take control of their own treatment and recognise risk factors.
“The members of the club really support each other, which is an important part of the healing process.”
The opening comes just in time for Wound Awareness Week, which runs from Monday 28 March to Sunday 3 April).
“We have garden clubs and book clubs – why not have leg club for older people living with a chronic leg wound,” she said.
“The club is off to a flying start with over a dozen members and we are already building community links through the local hospital and local services.”
Blue Care client, Yvonne Maslen, has been attending the club’s weekly meetings since they began and said she thought the club was a fantastic idea.
“I look forward to catching up with everyone over the lovely scones and tea,” Ms Maslen said.
“The nurses chat to us about wound care and in the afternoon we do activities together with a physiotherapist and the massages are great too.
“Sometimes wounds can affect your confidence however this club encourages everyone to get out of the house and feel part of the group.”
Blue Care started as the Blue Nursing Service in 1953 and has grown into one of Australia’s leading providers of community health and residential aged care.
As a not-for-profit organisation Blue Care supports the elderly, people with a disability and other in need in the community to remain independent for as long as possible.
For more information phone Blue Care Springwood Community Care on 07 3290 9921.
