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Having been employed in the healhcare industry for a number of years, the demand for good care for the elderly has been brought to our attention for several years now. We as a society sometimes forget that these wonderful citizens require special help sometimes. Providing care for the elderly should not be viewed as a burden to their children or significant family members.
The elderly offer so much to our society and actually helped all of us get to the point we have reached in our own lives. When caring for your loved one, please remember they are not babies, most elderly have very good cognition and understanding just as the younger generation does. They may not hear or see as well and a lot of times that is misread as senility. Just speak a little louder and provide articles written in large print or write notes with a large marking pen. You will find out that your loved will appreciate those simple gestures of care. Always include your loved one in the same activities that most of your household enjoys. Remember! your parent did not hide you away when you were a child with cookie on your face. The elderly deserve the highest respect and diginity allowed them. Just because a person looks old does not mean they are old in heart or mind.
Growing old is a natural process that we all are approaching little by little each day.
"A Few Things To Remember About Your Loved One"
Always allow the person to have adequate time to understand your question. Please be patient with them, remember some of the elderly do not hear as well as you do!
If you have a loved one that has been diagnosed with a dementia related illness. Always be cautious when they are having their meals. Sometimes as these diseases progress it may cause difficulty with swallowing, ask the attending physician about diet changes if you notice your loved one coughing or having diffculty swallowing such foods as meat or bread at times, he/she may recommend a mechanical soft diet, these are diets that chop meat and hard vegetables without losing too much of the flavor, therefore the risk is lessened toward choking or aspirating food particles into the lung area, which may cause a nasty upper respiratory infection.
Allow your loved one ample time to begin walking after arising from a seated position. Sometimes dizziness may occur due to illness or medications they have been prescribed.
The most important of all! Please spend good quality time with your dear loved one. They do appreciate you just sitting quietly by their side, without a word being spoken, or talk about interesting events of the day, what the lastest news may be, or something you know would appeal to them. Conversation is very good for them, even if they forget the minute you told them, at least they knew you were there and enjoyed the brief realization of the days events.
Cherish each moment with them, even during the difficult times. Believe me you will not regret it!!
"Wishing You and Your Loved One the Best of Health and Wealth"
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