5 Things to Remember About Senior Personal Care – A Guide for All
Senior caregiving can be an arduous task. Whether you’re a son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, or a grandchild – there will be times when you may feel you are done and can’t take it anymore.
Sometimes, you may also feel worn-out and feel your efforts are going in vain. But, at that time, all we need to recall is how these aged – once young – took care of us when we couldn’t ask for food or walk to the washroom! We also understand how frustrated you are. And so, we’ve come up with something you desperately need right now!
This is a guide for, as we mentioned, everyone whose is responsible for taking care of a senior person at home.
Read this if you are a senior professional caregiver!
A career in caregiving seems quite appealing and rewarding. Though it brings satisfaction and peace of mind when at the end of the day, you have somebody to appreciate your deeds whole-heartedly and that they’d look forward to meeting you the other day. However, being a senior caregiver can be quite tedious and strenuous.
There are way more challenges than meets the eye. So, here is our guide for newbies who are starting as senior personal caregivers. You can refer to this even if you are experienced and feel drained by the end of the day.
Communication
It is the lifeblood of your career. And, this is what makes it different. Whether you’re taking care of a family member or your assigned senior as your job, you need to establish and maintain a strong bond – which can only be done once you get along with the person. It’s best when they can explain their expectations, and you can respond positively.
Several senior care centers, while training their senior caregivers, provide them with a list of speaking topics to break the ice between these members.
Hygiene and Bathing
This is a highly important factor you need to consider – especially if you’re going for senior companionship. Make sure to take care of your hygiene as well as the seniors since they may become anxious when they feel they are dependent on someone else for physical care. They might not let you trim their nails, or comb their hair – and most challenging part – bathing.
It is a question mark on their self-esteem and honor, and there will be times when they won’t let you touch them. Handle it smoothly! Especially if your senior is a female, show them how good they look when they get ready. Maybe, tell them that they are young and have flawless skin. This trick works quite well in 7 out of 10 cases.
Safety precautions
Now here comes the most critical part. While you’re with a senior, your primary job is to keep them safe and secure. RULE OF THUMB – do not let them use stairs. Plus, make sure you stay vigilant and alert during senior transportation. One of the critical factors to consider is to choose the right vehicle, plus, only select a destination where you’re sure you can get any emergency help if you need it.
Food and meals
If you’re a family member or a senior caregiver who is also supposed to look into meal preparation, you must know if your senior is allergic to something, e.g., wheat, gluten, peanuts, or cheese. Also, keep a checklist and make notes if theire doctors have asked them to refrain from something as part of their weight loss plans. You’ll also need to ensure there is something edible in the freezer in case you aren’t home and the senior feels hungry.
Atmosphere
Keep the house and all the rooms well-lit, especially the ones where you think your senior loves to spend their time. Some essential areas include a TV lounge, dining rooms, and small home libraries.
Medication, Physical Exercise, and Activities
This is another factor that requires attention. As a caregiver, or a family member, you may already have access to prescriptions and whatever medicines have been suggested. Professionals trained for senior home care in Anaheim, California, are specially required by their agencies to maintain a checklist where they mark the medication and exercise routine of their senior.
If allowed by a doctor or family member, make it a point to take your senior for a brisk walk – in the home garden or a park outside so they feel fresh.
We guarantee that this guide would prove fruitful if you follow it to the letter. However, it’s still not a sacred piece of some holy writing, and you might have your own experiences about handling seniors. If you spent a lot of time outside of your home and worried that your senior needs something like a family care network – hire a senior caregiver for some time.
It works wondrously because at the backend, agencies like Carexpertz also, provide support for caregivers, and so, you can always stay tension-free at work!