How to Care for the Elderly

As your parents, (Grandparents or other family members)age the caregiver roles are reversal. The elderly deserve the best of care and respect. We must also do all we can to keep their dignity intact.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. When a person ages, so do all parts of their body and functions.
2. Keep regular visits to the Doctor so their vitals and other conditions may be monitored.
3. An Elderly will develop poor circulation. Keep them supplied with warm socks, sweaters and blankets.
4. Keep a close eye on nutritional needs for an elderly. They can lose their sense of taste and not want to eat. They don't want frequent bathroom trips, so they won't drink enough fluids, which can lead to dehydration.
5. If doctor says elder is losing too much weight or becoming aneimic. Purchase nutrition drinks like Ensure or Boost these come in different flavors.
6. Do not use throw rugs, these increase the danger of an elder tripping and falling.
7. Remind elder what day it is, what holidays are near. Keep them informed of family news.
8. As an elder loses the ability to care for their affairs it may be necessary to have a court-appointed guardian to manage financial details.

Tips & Warnings

• As care for an elder may get more difficult, look in the yellow pages for Senior-Citizen Centers. They can refer you to a Home Helper group. These people are trained to come help with bathing and do medical checkups.