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Tips for caring for an older adult

Tips for caring for an older adult

Edited by: TOP DOCTORS® at 17/03/2023

Our job as caregivers is to help them rediscover their skills and abilities, enrich their self-esteem and include them as an active part of a group, and their family.




How to care for an older adult?

At present, life expectancy increased. However, many older people have lost part or all of their independence due to Chronic Degenerative Diseases that worsen over time, which implies that they require help and a caregiver, often close relatives or children.




In order for the person in charge to provide a good service, it is essential to have the right tools for it.


 


It is possible to maintain good health in old age, since aging is a natural process that our body experiences over time. It can be positive or negative depending on our lifestyle. You age as you live.




The changes in our body during this process correspond to the natural wear and tear of all our systems, but they will occur to a greater or lesser extent depending on our healthy or harmful habits (such as alcohol or tobacco consumption, malnutrition or lack of physical exercise). throughout our life.




For older adults, it is essential to maintain their functionality. That is to say, that they have more physical, mental and social independence, to achieve a better conservation of their health.


  


The advice to take care of the elderly is to give them a better quality of life, starting with giving them love, care, support and respect towards them, this will help their health, but it is important to remember that not all of us age the same, so care varies. in each case depending on physical and mental health.


 


Despite these differences, it is important to note that they have basic needs in common:




Safety at home: most accidents suffered by older adults occur at home because the facilities are not adapted to their current needs, such as decreased visual acuity, coordination and gait, as well as deterioration cognitive and other limitations. Falls are more common due to loss of muscle function, decreased reflexes and balance. Therefore, it is important to adapt homes to the needs of older adults with adequate lighting, ramps, lift chairs, etc. In addition, obstacles, carpets and skids that can cause trips must be removed. It is also important to make modifications in critical areas such as the bathroom and shower, whether it is installing bars or grab bars to hold on the toilet and shower, along with anti-slip in areas of risk of falls.

Medication record: Due to health status, older adults often take multiple medications. Therefore, it is easy to become confused, double doses, or self-medicate, which can be very dangerous. It is recommended that a family member or caregiver supervise the intake of drugs, administering them personally or organizing them in special boxes with predetermined hours.

Body hygiene: proper personal hygiene is essential for maintaining health, it is also important to take care of your skin by applying moisturizing creams

Balanced diet: it must be varied so that they have all the nutrients. It is advisable to reduce saturated fats (sausages and cold cuts), increase the consumption of fats (almonds, nuts), fruits, vegetables, limit the consumption of sugar and salt, as well as monitor good hydration, specifically in people with some type of Diabetes

Physical exercise: it is important because it produces positive changes, not only physically but also mentally. It helps to have a more active life, thus improving their state of health, even preventing social isolation. It is recommended to work the balance muscles to prevent falls and improve reflexes, as well as improve breathing with postural and relaxation exercises (yoga, swimming, gym, etc.)

Make him participate in social activities: promote socialization with his family and close friends, be it on walks, birthdays and parties. In this way, they can strengthen their ties with society and family, thus maintaining a good state of mind, and fulfilling themselves.



What should be remembered?

The progress of the disease does not stop, but it can control various situations that affect the family and you as a caregiver


You must remember that you are important, you need to be physically and mentally well, to dedicate your time and energy to the person who demands your service, because the caregiver must be taken care of:


The progress of the disease does not stop, but it can control various situations that affect the family and you as a caregiver

You must remember that you are important, you need to be physically and mentally well, to dedicate your time and energy to the person

Family Medicine in Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires (AMBA)