How to care for elderly family health
Health / / December 19, 2019
The young body is still able to cope with stress and even some diseases on their own, but with the passage of years, it is becoming increasingly difficult. So many things that used to start up on their course, in the case of older people better to take control.
Here's what you can do to help families stay healthy and maintain a high quality of life.
1. Nullifies the preventive examinations
Common to all men age-related changes - a violation of the locomotor system and respiratory system, as well as the problems heart and vessels. So, it makes sense to periodically visit a podiatrist with the neurologist, pulmonologist and cardiologist. Better to start with the therapist: he will listen to your breath, measure pulse and blood pressure, and then give advice to anyone else from the experts to address in case of complaints.
Periodic chest X-ray or chest X-rays help in the prevention of tuberculosis. And if once a year to doGuidelines for lung cancer screening computed tomography, it is easier to detect possible malignant tumors in the lungs. For the prevention of atherosclerosis do a blood test for cholesterol and lipoproteins. Blood sugar rent for the prevention of diabetes, which can develop due to age-related changes. The result of this analysis, we must show the endocrinologist.
Perhaps an elderly person does not want to go to the hospital until nothing hurts. But the sense of prevention just to prevent disease or detect it before the effects become irreversible. Explain it to a relative and reduces it to doctorIf it would be hard to walk from office to office.
Inspect the home first aid kit and check to see if it all necessary. If an elderly person forgets to take medication, you can purchase pill boxes with separate compartments for each day or hang on the refrigerator schedule.
2. Watch out for the mental health
Notice the deterioration of cognitive functions are often more difficult than physical problems. It's hard to accept that people, on the judgments which we have relied for a long time, begin to lose their value. And yet it happens.
The World Health Organization notedDementia: WHO newsletterThat early diagnosis of dementia significantly improves quality of life, and point to a link between the syndrome and the risk factors that are common to non-communicable diseases - malnutrition, smoking, Alcohol abuse, lack of physical activity.
For the prevention of dementia-gerontologists doctors recommend enrich the diet fiberAssociation Between Carbohydrate Nutrition and Successful Aging Over 10 Years, Connect power trainingMediation of Cognitive Function Improvements by Strength Gains After Resistance Training in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive ImpairmentWorking outdoorsGardens and health: Implications for policy and practice and do not remain idleDietary and lifestyle guidelines for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, if you think that his grandmother planting a disadvantage in comparison to store vegetables, and the ratio of labor costs and the result - not in favor of the garden, it may be better to keep your mouth shut and to help the country. It's not just cucumbers.
3. Organize proper nutrition
In the elderly with time digestion is deteriorating. Even if before your grandfather was able to eat pan fried mushrooms, seasoned adzhika and great feel, is now sharp, heavy and greasy foods do not will bring to no good. In the book "Charming intestine"Julia Anders proves that the work of the digestive system determines the whole body and affects mood. Over the years, this becomes especially noticeable.
For proper preparation of general recommendations on diet balanced diet must be observed, to focus on easily digest food soft consistency, which will not harm dental prosthesis, and, of course, take into account individual recommendations.
Adult can sharply react to tips Power, Especially from someone who "just yesterday" went under the table foot. If once you enraged prohibitions senior, now you are reversed, so that we can show generosity and tact. For example, instead of "Father, to you it is impossible, stomach ache!" Say, "Look what we have prepared for you." And offer tasty, but a diet dish.
4. Buy comfortable things
Even if a person does not have strong problems with the musculoskeletal system, the usual course of time things are more difficult, and some household items no longer appear comfortable.
Give older relatives a good mattress with weight distribution and anatomic pillow. With age, sleep is getting worse, while well get enough sleep - it is very important for health. There will be no extra comfortable warm clothes. As tech and traditional, made of natural wool - socks, thermal underwear, cozy cardigan. With age, blood circulation is spoiled, and elderly people, especially women, often are freezing.
Buy relatives sneakers or light shoes with shock-absorbing insole. Comfortable shoes for the elderly (and anyone who appreciates comfort) release, for example, the Scandinavian brand. If you need something more specific, buy orthopedic footwear, preventive or curative (this is bought after consultation with an orthopedic doctor). Some pensioners are entitled to a free orthopedic shoes from the state. Check whether there are benefits from your relatives.
On AliExpress or in specialized shops for the elderly can find a variety of devices and gadgets designed to ease everyday life. For example, stick with the tongs to grip items - for people who find it difficult to bend over or do not want to get up once again. For some, it may be indispensable, but someone at least entertain.
5. Help to go to a sanatorium
Recreation Center - a health care setting. treatment of severe diseases there is not engaged, but the resort can relax from everyday life, like wellness and restorative procedures and have fun. For example, go to a dance in a reading club or on a tour of the surrounding area. All this will be useful not only for health but also for socialization of the elderly person. Nobody said that in old age can not make new friends or relationships.
According to the lawFederal Law "On state social assistance" from 17.07.1999 N 178-FZ "On state social assistance" in the Russian pensioners, beneficiaries are entitled to a free ticket to the resort at least once every two years - on the basis of a medical certificate. To do this, you need to apply to the local Social Security and wait will give direction. Maybe your family will be difficult to go it alone on the institutions and to understand how the electronic queue, so it is best to help.
Typically, retirees are sent to a sanatorium near the place of residence or on the sea. In addition, you can buy a ticket, and here the level of service depends on the budget. Modern resorts are not inferior to the level of the spa resorts to visit which would not give people of all ages.
6. Protect from greedy people
Traders traditional medicines and pseudoscientific "healing" devices, homeopaths and unsuited esoteric love pushing retirees to unwise spending. At best, the older man just lose money, at worst - will begin to be treated by methods not approved by the evidence-based medicine, and inflict self-harm.
If your elderly relatives have appeared the country's prestige or questionable new friends, it's most likely talking about loneliness. Older people are often left in the insulation, which contributes to impairment of mental function and mental health.
Think about what you can do together - go to the theater, go on nature, just dinner? It is important that this was not a one-time action, you need a regular joint leisure. And adequate help new social contacts. You can, for example, to record relative to computer classes for seniors.
Keep home educate. For example, tell us why the white balls, in which no molecules of the active substance, It does not help from disease.
7. Hire a babysitter, if needed
Sometimes an older person becomes very difficult to cope with even the basic things. In this case, working children and grandchildren can not always find time to care for relatives. Do not blame yourself if work brings money, which is enough to help family members, you can easily reassign care nurse. In addition, you also have a personal life for which you are eligible. The main thing - do not forget that the incoming Assistant still can not replace loved ones. But it can take over routine work.
Pick a good specialist, who will do everything necessary to help an elderly person and have the appropriate qualifications. Home nurse should help with hygiene and domestic needs, be able to make injections, put the dropper, as well as to psychological support. It is important that care be based on careful and correct attitude.
Find nurse can in specialized care centers, websites that offer services in search of domestic staff or in private ads.
see also
- How to protect elderly parents from telephone scams →
- Instead babushkofona: how to choose a modern smart phone for parents →
- 5 simple ways to make grandparents happier →