Providing care for a relative may be a rewarding experience, but doing so also takes patience and lots of time, and involves a few basics. Keep safety of the senior relative and other family members uppermost in your mind while providing care for the elderly. Give support while taking care of yourself at the same time. Take an organized approach to the care-giving process. Learn the basics, maintain a sense of humor and form closer bonds with your loved ones through effective and well-rounded care.
Step 1
Provide a safe environment for an aging parent. Go through your house and look at it through the eyes of an elderly or disabled person. If your elderly relative has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's, place locks on doors to the garage and to the outside, and take handles off stoves. Make sure medications are placed in a locked drawer, along with sharp objects.
Step 2
Monitor medication schedules. Learn what medications your parent is using and what they are for. Ask your parent's doctor about dosage, frequency and side effects. Understand how a drug works and learn about contraindications when used with other medications. Have enough medications so you don't run out, and administer them according to the doctor's instructions.
Step 3
Schedule medical appointments well in advance so you're able to work them into your calendar. Plan ahead so that you have enough time to get your relative to her appointments in a timely and sress-free manner.
Step 4
Protect seniors from accidents or falls by going through the house and tucking electrical cords against baseboards or under carpets. Tack carpet edges down so they're not a fall risk. Place non-skid strips or mats in the bathroom. Remove clutter from the house to offer safer, easier movement for a senior using a walker, cane or wheelchair.
Step 5
Ask your elderly relative's primary care provider about the need for special medical equipment, such as a hospital bed for more comfortable sleeping, or items such as wheelchairs, bath chairs, lifts or other tools that will prevent you from having to lift your parent, risking injury to yourself. Know what equipment and special-aid options are available to help protect your back and provide a safe environment for your loved one.
Step 6
Learn the basics about helping your elderly parent with toileting and hygiene if they are going through moderate to severe stages of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Aging parents diagnosed with Parkinson's will also need extra care and support when it comes to bathing, brushing their teeth and toileting.
Tips and Warnings
- Look into adult daycare options or temporary home health aides in order to give yourself a break once in a while. Support groups also offer a resource for caregivers, providing mental and emotional relief. The safety of those diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease is of primary importance. Don't hesitate to ask for help or guidance regarding care for an elderly relative in such situations.
- Use proper lifting techniques to help prevent back or shoulder injury and to ensure the safety of your loved one. Learn proper lifting techniques from a professional caregiver or therapist. If you feel you can no longer safely provide physical support or care for your loved one, talk to his primary health care provider for options.
