Senior citizens need special attention. It is our moral responsibility to take good care of our parents and seniors who have struggled a lot to fulfill our dreams.Care giving to the seniors is a job of great responsibility. It requires utmost commitment and sincerity.
Elderly individuals are more prone to multiple physical ailments namely Alzheimer’s disease, senile dementia [forgetfulness],depression, reduction of vision [mainly due to cataract], diminution of hearing[mainly due to nerve deafness],nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, ailments of the heart specially heart failure, osteoporosis or reduction of bone mineral density leading to increased susceptibility of bone fractures etc. Individuals’ care giving for parents, seniors should pay particular attention to these conditions.
Alzheimer’s disease is a condition characterized by progressive reduction of memory; particularly patients fail to recall the day to day activities. It may also be associated with reduction of intellectual capacity, speech disturbance, disorientation, inability to perform routine activities. A caregiver should monitor these changes and report any detoriation periodically to the attending physician. Assistance should be provided to perform daily activities in individuals severely disabled by Alzheimer’s disease
Development of cataract is a common problem in seniors. Vision testing should be done at least once a year for assessment of visual acquity, field of vision. If cataract or other eye problem is detected it should be treated accordingly.
With age, a particular type of deafness called sensorineural deafness or nerve deafness occurs in a large number of individuals. Periodic hearing assessment should be done for early detection of hearing loss and appropriate measures like hearing aids should be undertaken.
Elderly individuals are particularly prone to develop nutritional deficiencies like calcium, iron, and vitamin deficiencies. A diet chart should be made according to the particular needs of the individual, preferably by a dietician and should be followed meticulously.
Diabetes, a very common metabolic ailment in present day society especially in senior citizens should be dealt with extreme caution. Strict control of blood sugar is the goal. Attention should be paid to proper diet, exercise, oral hypoglycemics, insulin etc. Insulin and drugs that reduce blood glucose have an inherent tendency to reduce blood glucose to such an extent that may cause symptoms of glucose deficiency[hypoglycemia].Individuals taking care of seniors with diabetes should be aware of the symptoms of hypoglycemia like disorientation,sweating,increase in heart rate. Strict regimen of insulin or oral hypoglycemic drugs should be followed. Periodic checking of fasting blood sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin should be done. Seniors with diabetes should be taken periodically to the doctor for clinical evaluation of vision, kidney function, heart functions, and development of skin ulcers etc.A glucometer should be kept at home for estimation of capillary blood glucose in home.
Osteoporosis or reduction of bone mineral density is another common problem in elderly individual. It increases the susceptibility to fractures, particularly the fracture neck of femur and vertebral fractures. In persons suffering from osteoporosis, medications prescribed by the doctor like calcium, vitamin D, biphosphonates should be given meticulously and care should be taken to prevent frequent falls.
In case of bed-ridden individuals, frequent shifting of position should be done to prevent pressure sores.
Last but not the least depression is very common in the elderly age group. One of the most important duties of caregivers is to provide mental support. If required, help of a psychiatrist should be sought for.
Care giving to elderly individuals is a duty of great commitment and seriousness. The protocol of care giving should be tailored according to each individual’s need.
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