When I walk into my elderly parent's room, the first thing I do is greet them with a smile.
A frown shows disapproval.
Once a man, twice a child the saying goes.
It is true? Emotions aside, use the senses of sight and smell to help them.
Fresh water and good food are essential.
Leaving them alone when eating may be dangerous as the swallow reflexes are old.
Be careful using stringy foods such as celery.
Strip it first after washing it then break it and pull.
Wash your hands often and use paper plates if you can afford them.
Finger foods are great.
Please make sure that chicken is cooked.
Diets may need altering such as a soft one for bad teeth or no teeth.
Watch out for temperatures.
Room and food temperatures.
Food either too hot( which may burn them), or too cold which may shock them or might hurt their teeth.
Keep your voice low and listen.
you may get a glimpse of wisdom.
Elderly people can try to undress themselves and being confused get their shirt or blouse stuck and strangle themselves.
Bed coverings and pillows need to be safe and not covered in plastic.
They can and do fall.
Make sure you check on them often.
Keep their bedding clean.
Take out that nasty trash can.
Offer them tissue to wipe their noses if need be.
Make sure medications are done on time and in the right amount and dose as these are dangerous is done improperly.
Pharmacists will help you.
Leaving them in urine and excrement is cause for skin breakdown and big problems with infections.
We all know "poopy" is nasty.
Offer a nice warm clean washcloth in the mornings for them to wash their face and hands.
Keep their nails clean and as short as possible.
If diabetic, let the doctor or nurse trim them as they can loose a foot otherwise.
There are visiting nurses to come if needed.
if you have problems with them, communicate your concerns.
Broken communication is cause for so many problems these days.
Put yourself in their place.
If this was me, how would I feel being treated like I am treating them? Older adults have pain.
If you take their pain medication, they will suffer for your illegal act.
If you had cancer, would you want to be deprived of your lack of pain? Usually if a person is in pain, you can tell by groaning and frowning.
They usually need less medication than healthy active middle age adults.
Exercise is important,but going outside naked is cause for a few raised neighbor's eyebrows.
Get to know your neighbors so they can call you on your cell phone if need be when you are taking a break for sanity or just making a trip to the grocery store.
Check out security and safety features of their residence and make necessary repairs.
Keep a fire extinguisher(the right kind) handy.
Keep a fire alarm up to date.
Most fires happen in the kitchen or bedroom.
Arrange to take a sanity vacation with a trusted person.
So many take advantage of the elderly.
They deserve honor, not evil.
The first commandment with promise is that you will live for 70 years if you honor your father and mother.
What is the alternative? Yes, that is exactly right-a shorter life.
Continue to study about caring for those who deserve our best, remembering to care for yourself first so you are able to give of self.
If it is your parents, tell them each day you love them.