Elderly Care Tips
Expert Information And Advice On:
Elderly Health Care, Elderly Patent, Elderly Issues
Elderly Instruments, Elderly Dementia, Elderly Diabetes,
ADVICE AND INFORMATION
Stair lift advice
Incontinence in the elderly
Exercise for the elderly
Crime precautions for the elderly
Alzheimer's and dementia
Home health care
Welcome to Elderly Care Tips
Your role as care giver
If you are a a care assistant in a care home or a nursing home, you've probably had some training but if you are new to the role of care giver, perhaps to an elderly relative or friend, it can be particularly daunting as it's something that most of us have little experience of until it happens.
An important rule - establish a routine
There are no hard and fast rules for caring for the elderly. Often you have to think on your feet and take every day as it comes. But there is one important rule that all care givers should adopt and champion and that rule is always establish a routine. A routine can be described as the performance of specific activities in the same manner over time. In may ways elderly people are like children, and routines provide a reassuring structure to their day when the world outside is becoming an increasing confusing and hostile place to inhabit. As people's cognitive functions decline, they tend to rely more and more on routines to keep themselves organised.
Routines are a powerful tool to use when you are trying to establish a bond the person you are looking after. Bonds are important because a relationship based and trust and warmth is likely to be a successful union. Routines can help foster bonds because they an elderly person feel secure and comfortable. They will also make like a lot easier for both the cared for and the carer.
Getting to know the person in your care
Before you can establish a routine, you need to find out as much as you can about the person in your care. You may already know the person in your care very well, especially if he or she is an elderly relative. However, if you have not lived with that person, there may be many personal habits that you do not know about. If the person you are caring for has a more distant relationship with you, you may have more homework to do. It's important to remember that it is not good practice to impose your routines on the person in your care. They are individuals like you, with likes and dislikes. A good and effective routine is always based on mutual interests. You will need to be prepared to compromise.
Once you feel you really know the person in your care, you can begin to build a solid relationship based on trust and mutual respect. This type of relationship is essential - one based on anything else is doomed to failure. Elderly people who feel they are being pushed around or asked to do things against their wishes will be resentful and difficult, and sometimes aggressive. Such behavior makes your life a misery as well as theirs. Always remember that you will be old one day - treat the elderly person in your care with the respect that you would expect if you were in their position.
The routine habit just described is very important, but it is important not to be completely constricted by routine. Although routines for elderly people can increase feelings of control and safety, they can also become stifling and restrictive.
The solution to this is to remain flexible about routines. Make sure that there are occasional changes that the elderly person in your care will enjoy such as a trip to the shops or a visit to the local park.