Silver Age Health | Daily Care for the Elderly

How to provide caring and thoughtful care for the elderly so that they can live a happy and comfortable life in their later years has become a common topic of concern. This article will share some tips on caring for the elderly that are worth collecting, hoping to provide some useful references in the process of caring for the elderly.

▏Observation record of health status

Observing and recording the health status of the elderly is the top priority in the nursing process. The measurement of physiological indicators, such as breathing, pulse, blood pressure, body temperature, etc., is the basis for understanding physical condition. We should measure at a fixed time every day and record the values ​​in the form of a chart, so that we can not only track the data for a week or longer, but also connect the points of different colors in sequence to clearly see the changes in the health data of the elderly over a period of time. When measuring body temperature, first wipe the sweat under the armpit, then press the front end of the thermometer against the middle of the armpit, clamp the thermometer for about 10 minutes and then take it out. The normal value is between 35℃-37℃. For the elderly who are weak or bedridden, cotton pads can be used to stuff them under the armpits to help fix the thermometer so that it is in close contact with the body. As for the measurement of pulse, it should be carried out when the elderly are at rest, and count for at least half a minute to one minute. Pay attention to the frequency, strength and regularity of the elderly's pulse.

When observing the number of breaths, you need to pay attention to the ups and downs of the elderly's chest when breathing. The normal range is 15-20 times/minute. If the elderly are aware that they are being measured, their breathing may speed up. In this case, you can measure their breathing while measuring their pulse. At the same time, pay attention to the breathing sounds, whether there are any abnormal sounds such as wheezing or heavy breathing sounds.

Blood pressure should be measured in a quiet and relaxed state, and the measurement should be carried out after about 2-3 minutes. The pulse pressure cuff should be placed 2-3 cm above the elbow joint, at the same height as the heart when sitting. Generally, the measurement is performed 3 times each time, and the lowest value is taken, or the average of two measurements is taken. For elderly people with hemiplegia, the healthy side should be measured. It is recommended to measure at the same time every day, such as 9 am, and again at 4 pm if necessary.

In addition, dietary observation is also an important part of nursing care, including food type, food intake, appetite, water intake, etc. Urine and stool observation includes urine volume, urine color, urination frequency, and stool volume, stool color, shape, and bowel movement frequency. Normal urine is light yellow and clear, and normal stool is earthy yellow, soft, and well-formed. For the amount of urine and stool, we can use an estimated value, and for the elderly who use diapers, we can measure the weight of the urine pad.
Precautions should not be ignored. When measuring physiological indicators, avoid eating, bathing and exercising within 1 hour, as these factors may affect the accuracy of the data. In addition, the accuracy of blood pressure measurement depends on testing at the same time, so regulations must be followed.

The above is a comprehensive observation and record of the health status of the elderly, which is a key link in the nursing process. Through the collection and analysis of these data, we can better understand the changing patterns and development trends of the elderly's physical condition, and provide a strong basis for providing better nursing services.

▏Nutritional requirements of the elderly

As we age, our calorie needs decrease as we become less active and lose muscle mass. Generally, female elderly people need 1600-1700 calories a day, while male elderly people need 1700-1800 calories. For people who are bedridden, overweight or obese, we recommend that they reduce their calorie intake by 300-500 calories a day.

Protein is a very important part of the diet of the elderly. We should focus on quality rather than quantity. It is ideal to consume 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight. Good sources of protein include beans, fish, meat, eggs and dairy products. Eggs are a good source of iron and lecithin. It is recommended to eat 2-3 eggs per week. For people with normal cholesterol, liver can be eaten 1-2 times a week to supplement iron and protein.

In the cooking process, we should use vegetable oil to control fat intake. For animal foods, we recommend skinless chicken, fish and lean meat (such as pork, beef, and lamb). In addition, to control fat intake, we should also avoid fried and high-fat foods. In general, healthy eating habits are essential for the health of the elderly.

▏Correct time to take medication

When doctors prescribe medicine, they often simply say "take before meals" or "take after meals", but did you know that there is a lot of knowledge involved? The drug instructions will clearly indicate the time and interval for taking the medicine, including "take before meals", "take during meals", "take after meals", etc.

So, what is "how long before meals" and "how long after meals"? Taking medicine on an empty stomach means taking it one hour before meals or two hours after meals. "Taking it before meals" usually means taking it half an hour to one hour before meals, "taking it during meals" means taking it during meals, or taking it with the first bite of food, and "taking it after meals" means taking it half an hour to one hour after meals. Finally, taking medicine before bedtime usually means taking it 15-30 minutes before bedtime. Please be sure to take the medicine correctly according to the instructions in the instructions to ensure the maximum effect of the medicine and the health of your body.

▏Tips on taking medication

Water medicine, by adding thickeners to make it into a paste, can be mixed with jelly or pudding, and bitter medicine can even be blended with cocoa to reduce the bitterness.

The powder form is the drug wrapped in rice paper, mixed with pudding, and placed behind the tongue for absorption after mixing with a viscosity enhancer and a small amount of water.

For tablets and capsules, just swallow the capsule. If you have trouble swallowing, talk to your doctor about switching from tablets to powder.

For sublingual medications, this medication is absorbed through the sublingual vein and is placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve slowly for absorption. It is important to note that the elderly should not be allowed to drink water or try to swallow it.

When taking several medicines at the same time, you should consult your doctor. When taking medicines prescribed by the hospital and medicines sold over the counter, you should also consult your doctor.

Finally, if side effects occur, such as changes in complexion, rash, loss of appetite and other abnormal phenomena, the medication should be stopped immediately and consult a doctor. In any case, medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor to ensure safety and effectiveness.

▏ Pay attention to minor colds and don’t take them lightly

For the elderly, colds should be treated with caution. They are the source of many health problems, so prevention is the first priority. If you are unfortunately infected, you should actively respond in order to recover as soon as possible. Colds can also be a warning sign of pneumonia, which can even be life-threatening in severe cases, so don't take it lightly. Here, I suggest that the elderly stay quiet, rest in bed, keep warm, and ensure a comfortable indoor environment. If you find a fever, you should first try physical cooling, such as applying a cold towel or ice pack to your head.

Keep the indoor temperature at around 20℃ and the humidity at around 60%, and use a humidifier or hang a wet towel. In terms of diet, give the elderly warm ginger soup and encourage them to drink more water. In addition, gargling with light salt water can help expel viruses from the throat. If you sweat a lot, you can wipe your body with a dry hot towel and change into dry pajamas. But avoid excessive warmth that affects the body's heat dissipation. As for electric heating products, it is not recommended to use them or use them for a long time to prevent overheating. Caring for the elderly starts with details, so that they can enjoy their old age in a comfortable environment.

▏When caring for elderly people with dementia, pay attention to these issues

Elderly people with dementia often experience symptoms such as memory and judgment decline, language disorders, and even loss of daily activities and self-care ability, and personality changes. At this time, harmonious coexistence is particularly important. It is very necessary to understand and master certain communication skills, such as asking only one question at a time, confirming whether the elderly's hearing and vision are normal, and even conducting comprehensive examinations.

The home environment also needs attention. Try to reduce noise, cluttered furnishings and other distractions that can easily distract the elderly, and create a peaceful atmosphere for them. When communicating, face each other, maintain eye contact, and call each other by name. Speak slowly and clearly, and avoid using long, complex sentences. At the same time, focus on discussing specific things rather than abstract ideas. Do not interrupt them during the conversation.

Elderly people with dementia usually express their needs through non-verbal means, such as body language, unclear language, or even shouting. Therefore, we should understand the intentions and needs of the elderly just like observing the needs of babies. At the same time, caregivers should also pay attention to their own body language to convey respect and care. Enlarging photos of elderly people with dementia or photos with relatives and placing them in a prominent position can often remind them that their loved ones are around. Making different marks or different colors on the doors of different rooms can also help them remember.

A regular work and rest schedule is also crucial for elderly people with dementia. Try to guide them to get up, go to bed, and eat at fixed times to develop a regular life pattern. If the day and night are seriously reversed, it is recommended to gradually adjust the work and rest schedule. Caregivers can also help the elderly establish a "bedtime ritual" to help them realize that it is time to sleep. Do more outdoor activities during the day, and moderate sunlight will help the normal operation of the biological clock. Increasing the amount of activity during the day can not only strengthen the body but also consume the elderly's physical strength, allowing them to fall asleep better at night.

Considering the complexity of dementia, creating a familiar environment is also very important. According to the preferences of the elderly, the home should be arranged to make them accustomed and comfortable. Playing music and keeping the room bright can reduce their anxiety. Leaving a night light on at night can prevent them from feeling scared or falling due to poor lighting.

Treating dementia is not a one-time process. It is recommended that caregivers keep detailed records of the elderly's daily routine so that medical staff can give better advice. For elderly people with dementia, group activities may not always be of interest. At this time, it is particularly important to observe the elderly's preferences and arrange activities of interest.

Finally, given the complexity of dementia, we should understand that the treatment effect is not immediate. Therefore, it is most important to understand and accept the changes of the elderly and provide them with the environment and care they need. In the process of accompanying them to face this challenge together, we can also gain our own growth and understanding.

▏Pay attention to mental health and create a warm atmosphere

The mental health of the elderly also needs our attention. As they age, they may face emotional problems such as loneliness and anxiety. Therefore, in the process of caring for the elderly, we must first create a warm and harmonious atmosphere for them. We can chat with the elderly regularly to understand their needs and ideas, so that they can feel the love and companionship of their family. In addition, we can also encourage the elderly to participate in some interest groups or social activities to help them make new friends and enrich their lives in their later years.

Every elderly person has his or her own personality and emotional needs. In the process of caring for them, we should respect their personality and habits and not impose our own wishes on them. At the same time, we should pay attention to the emotional needs of the elderly and give them enough care and companionship. We can enhance the relationship between each other and let the elderly feel the warmth and care of the family by chatting with them and participating in some activities together.

▏Caring for details and improving the quality of life

In the process of caring for the elderly, we also need to pay attention to some details to improve their quality of life. For example, we can prepare some easy-to-put-on and easy-to-take-off clothes and shoes for the elderly to put on and take off by themselves; set up some comfortable seats or recliners in the places where the elderly move around so that they can rest at any time; prepare some books, music or TV programs that the elderly like so that they can find fun in life.

The mobility and reaction speed of the elderly are relatively slow, so they should pay attention to safety protection in their daily lives. First, ensure that the home environment is safe and avoid furniture or objects with edges and corners to prevent the elderly from getting hurt. Secondly, keep the floor dry and clean to avoid slipping. In addition, handrails can be installed in key areas such as bathrooms and bedrooms to facilitate the elderly to get up and walk. At the same time, remind the elderly to pay attention to personal safety and avoid going out alone or engaging in high-risk activities.

(Picture from the Internet)

Author | Han Mei is a practicing pharmacist who has worked in a well-known national tertiary hospital for more than 30 years and has rich medical care experience. She has represented the hospital on many occasions to go out for exchanges and study. She is an expert in food hygiene and nutrition, has a national nutritionist qualification, and is a science enthusiast.