Taking Care of Elderly Patients at Home: All You Need to Know
People’s needs tend to change as they age. Older adults tend to require more medication and treatments, so you need to exercise care and patience when managing their health.
It is, however, important for you to become familiar with ways to provide them the best healthcare support. Here’s all you need to know about taking care of elderly patients at home.
Hearing Loss Among the Elderly
The mechanism of hearing becomes weak with aging. An older adult seems irritated because of their inability to hear clearly. Try to make them understand what you’re saying by going closer to them instead of yelling and getting frustrated. Place a gentle hand on their shoulder so they know you’re addressing them, and call out their name to get their attention.
Understand the Elder Diagnosis
It’s not appropriate to ask the patient about their medical condition. You may, however, begin to look for common symptoms and ailments to understand what they are dealing with.
Most of the elderly patients may have experienced coronary heart disease, heart failure, and hypertension. The side effects you may notice include a lack of physical strength, fatigue, and fluctuating blood pressure.
In addition, dementia is a prevalent condition among the elderly. Loss of memory usually causes aggression, agitation, and lack of self-care. Old-aged adults also experience feelings of worthlessness and weakness due to depression.
Make Appropriate Home Modifications
Look around for any safety hazards and take measures to get rid of them. Some of the simple modifications include:
- Installing a ramp for wheelchairs
- Installing handrails at the shower and toilet
- Installing auto-sensor nightlights to help them see if they wake up at night
- Placing medicines in easily accessible places
- Placing clean water and glass nearby
- Removing clutter, wires, and rugs from the floor
Help them Stay Social and Adopt Modern Care Methods
Encourage the elderly to become active members of the family and the community since isolation can cause emotional distress. You could take them out for walks or invite over their friends.
Stay aware of all technological advancements beneficial for the elderly. Improve the aspect of care for them by scheduling online doctor appointments and introducing monitoring systems.
At TelMDCare, we offer virtual healthcare appointments for elderly patients in South Dakota. Our physicians provide individualized care to patients and ensure a quick recovery. For an affordable medical online consultation, contact us via our website today!