Even in hospitals there are few professionals that are really trained in specialized care for geriatric patients.
Caring for elderly people needs patience, effort, kindness as well as many times a hard work. Here are a few tips to help you understand the ways to manage them better:
1. If you are caring for an old person who is your parent always remember that there was a time when you were so weak and dependent and they were the ones who cared for you day and night to make you a person what you are now.
2. Many times your loved one is getting old and sick but he/she resists the need for a care. Never take it easy and remember even if they resist they need a proper care and it is your responsibility to provide them the care and attention they need.
3, Take time and determine the type of care that is needed. If they are not too sick to be hospitalized provide them the appropriate care at home. Many people when they get old find difficult getting a shower on their own, changing clothes, cooking, going to toilet, doing the grocery, driving etc. But initially they will deny a need for help with these daily chores. Talk to them and make them feel that you understand them and are always there to help.
4. It is very important to give elderly people a warm emotional support. Never isolate them. Talk to them and let your children play with them. Even if they are sick, bed ridden or hospitalized it is important for the loved ones to visit them on a daily basis, give them time, sit with them and eat together, keep on asking them if they need anything, stay positive and talk with them in a positive way giving them hope.
5. Elderly people at times needed to be psychologically prepared to understand the gradual visual and hearing impairment, difficulty with walking , skin changes etc.
6. If an elderly person is grieving the death of a loved one like the spouse, close relative or friend , those are the times when the care giver needs to give more attention and help them not go into depression or commit suicide or self harm.
Care In The Hospital: Among half of the adults who occupy hospital beds are more than 65 years old. As the life expectancy is increasing the number may also increase over the next few years.
Hospitalization itself poses a risk to elderly patients because it involves confinement, immobilization, change of environment, diagnostic testings which may be painful and treatments which may have more side effects because of old age. It is very important for the doctors and the hospital staff to take into consideration the age of the patient and deal with them in a respectful caring way. Here are a few ways to manage them appropriately:
1. , If an elderly patient is hospitalized it is important to screen for any underlying problems like cataracts, osteoarthritis, dementia, problems with sleep and eating disorder,depression, dental problems etc and help them manage those underlying problems as well as treat the main disease for which hospitalized.
2. An elderly patient while hospitalized is more prone to develop delirium, accidental fall and acute functional decline. Take measures to prevent these complications.
3. Always make sure the drugs that are used are appropriated adjusted for dosing according to the age and associated decking renal function. Keep an eye for any new symptoms or side effects from the drugs.
4. Older patients if get sick, it is normal for them to heal and get better slower as compared to younger patients.
5. Appropriate measures should be taken and things explained properly to the care caregivers if the patient is discharged home. An elderly patient cannot start functioning soon after recovering from a hospitalized illness. They need care for daily chores and should never be left alone.
You are absolutely right that all humans undergo physiological and psychological changes with aging. Most of the caregivers are not understand and treat them badly. So, they have to do any good Home Study Course for updating themselves.
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