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Basic Tips to Care for the Elderly
Caring for the elderly in our lives is a noble and filial act. An act that shows our love, gratitude and care for those who have nurtured and impacted our lives greatly. However, caring for the elderly can be daunting. It’s uncharted territory for most of us and are we doing it right? Have we done all we can to provide them with the tools to live a fulfilling elderly life? Fret not! To help ease your mind. Here are a few ways to monitor the health of the elderly, and also help gain their confidence and a little bit of their independence back!
1. Daily BP Monitoring
Blood pressure is an important aspect of health to be monitored in most stages of our lives. More so during mature and late adulthood. A sudden drop in blood pressure may lead to falls, fractures and other serious injuries. So it is vital to monitor their blood pressure daily and encourage them to always stand slowly and deliberately to avoid sudden changes in their blood pressure and faintings.
2. Help Strengthen their Muscles and Gain Independence with Mobility Aids
We often see the elderly in wheelchairs at home or at the mall even though they are not entirely immobile. Caretakers feel that it is easier to wheel them around wherever but did you know that the more they sit, the quicker their muscles will deteriorate, rendering them unable to walk in the near future and completely lose their independence in mobility? To prevent weakening of the muscles, it is important for them to walk with mobility aids whenever they can to strengthen them so that they are able to keep their independence longer.
3. Choose the Correct Adult Diaper
There are two forms of adult diapers - a briefs form where you just slip it on like briefs, or a diaper form. Briefs form diapers are good for active elderlies that are still able to move about on their own or with assistance. However, if they are bedridden, diaper form diapers will be more suitable as it would be easier for the caregiver to put on and remove the diaper for the user.
4. Bathroom Safety - Grab Bar
Other than the stairs, one of the most dangerous places in the house for the elderly is the bathroom. The slippery tiles and wet environment of the bathroom is a hazardous place where slipping and falling are prone to happen. A simple way to help create a safer bathroom environment is by adding grab bars along the walls to help the elderly maintain stability while answering nature’s call or taking a shower.
5. Toileting - Commode and Bed Pans
Speaking of answering nature’s calls, when the elderly need to fulfill their toileting needs commodes are great for those who have knee problems. Commodes are higher than conventional toilet bowls making it safer and easier for the elderly to do their toileting business. However, if the elderly is bedridden or does not want to use a diaper, bed pans can be used to meet their toileting needs.
