Care Certificate Standards

Topics Fluid and Nutrition Food Safety Stress Management Mental Health

Fluid and Nutrition Food and drink play an important role in maintaining an individual’s health and wellbeing. A balanced diet provides the body with nutrients needed to keep it working properly. (a nutrient is a substance that provides nourishment)

Food Groups 1.Bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and other starchy foods 2.Fruit and vegetables 3.Milk and dairy foods 4.Meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein 5.Foods and drinks high in fat and/or sugar

Malnutrition “Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body does not get the right amount of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ functions” Malnourished – “Affected by improper nutrition or an insufficient diet.”

Signs and Symptoms Feeling tired all the time Increased infections Muscle weakness and falls Constipation Weight loss or gain Depression

Fluids Digestion of food allowing nutrients to be absorbed Enabling blood circulation Removing waste via urine and faeces Helping to avoid infection Controlling body temperature through perspiration Maintaining brain function

Dehydration “Dehydration is the loss of water and salts essential for normal body function.”

Dehydration Signs Early signs: Feeling of thirst Dark coloured urine Headaches Tiredness and confusion Ongoing dehydration contributes to: Constipation Urinary tract infections Kidney stones and infections Poor wound healing

Food Safety Not all harmful substances can be seen, this means that people can become ill from eating food that smells, tastes and looks normal Vulnerable people are more likely to be affected, as it takes a smaller number of bacteria to cause them to be ill, and they may experience more severe reactions It is important that no matter what you are preparing or serving that food safety is taken into account

Principles It is essential that precautions are taken to ensure that food is safe to eat. There are basic principles to keep in mind in order to protect all individuals when handling, storing or preparing food.

We Need Stress If a tightrope walker walked on a wire that was not under stress - slack - the tightrope walker would fall. The same is true of ourselves, everyone needs a certain amount of stress or pressure to live well. It's what gets you out of bed in the morning and motivates you throughout the day. "Wonderland Walker 5" by kevint3141 (Kevin T) - Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

What is Stress? Stress is a survival mechanism. When your brain perceives danger it goes into emergency mode to get you out of trouble quickly. All your body’s resources go into getting you moving so that you can fight or run.

Physical Response to Stress Stress causes a surge of hormones in your body: Heart rate increases to pump more blood to your muscles Increased breathing oxygenates the extra blood Muscles tense to prepare to fight or run Pupils dilate so you can see better Blood flow to the brain lets you think Adrenaline gives you strength and agility

Ongoing Stress The body's response to stress usually regulates itself. As your hormone levels fall, your heart and blood pressure will return to normal. Stress that is too intense or prolonged, causes your body to release stress hormones over a long period. This increases the risk of a range of physical health problems.

Definitions of Stress Stress is the body's reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.

Causes of Stress Stress is not the same for everybody, nor does everyone experience stress in the same way. Stress is different for each and every one of us. What is stressful for one person may or may not be stressful for another. Each of us responds to stress in an entirely different way.

Signs of Stress Emotional Anxiety, anger, depression, low self-esteem, tearful, irritable, indecisiveness Physical Heart palpitations, stomach complaints, uneasiness, tension Behavioural Aggression, increased smoking/drinking/drug intake, sleeping more or less, changes in eating patterns, changes to mood

Care Certificate Standards