Tips For Providing The Best Care For The Elderly

As our parents and relatives age, their bodies and minds begin to deteriorate and don’t work as well as they used to. It is at this time that adequate care is needed in order to ensure that the elderly person remains safe and protected for the remainder of their lives. Providing care, however, can be a very confronting task, especially if you have never done it before; these tips are designed to help you provide the best care possible:

• Communication
When it comes to care for the elderly, good communication is key. Don’t shout at the elderly person; talk in a clear, normal-toned voice. They’re getting older, not dumber, so there is no need to patronize them. If they need to remember something, write it down just to ensure that they don’t forget it.
• Independence
Many elderly people refrain from asking their families for assistance because they are worried that they will lose their independence; ensure that your relative or parent retains this sense of self-esteem, however, by encouraging them to do as much as possible by themselves.
• Hygiene
Providing care for the elderly is vastly different to providing care for a baby or someone with a disability. The skin of an ageing person is much drier than that of someone younger, meaning that they need to use mild soaps (to encourage moisture) and don’t need to shower daily (as this dries out their skin even more).
• Safety
Ensure that an elderly person always has access to their glasses (if they need them); you could try attaching them to a string that the person can wear around their neck. You could also install night or sensor lights in their home so that they can see at night.
• Exercise
Just because a person is getting on in years does not mean that they are an invalid – encourage them to do a little regular exercise, such as walking, as this can help prevent fluids from pooling in the legs and causing health problems.
• Nutrition
Adequate care also requires you to ensure that the elderly person is eating correctly, has a diet that is full of fiber (such as fruits and vegetables) and that they eat plenty of home cooked meals.

There is a number of ways that you can provide care for the elderly, it is just important to remember that this is not a job that should be taken on lightly, as it can be very challenging and mentally straining. By giving your parents and other relatives the best care possible, you can ensure that their golden years are lived out in peace and relative happiness.