Senior individuals have specific needs considering their physical and mental state. This includes limited movement, weakened extremities, poor vision, and declining cognitive skills.

As much as older people need companionship and support, they also need special care in going through their daily activities.

So, how can you take good care of an elderly patient? What are the essential items every personal caregiver has to be equipped with when nursing for a senior family member?

In this article, you will know the essential things you should prepare when caring for the elderly to provide excellent quality senior patient care.

Grooming products

Your supply of grooming products should comprise of shampoo, conditioner, comb, nail clipper, ear cleaner, lotion, and any type of additional skin moisturizer.

As long as you have these grooming supplies, your patient is always ready for sprucing up. Besides, seniors do not need fancy items, so basic products will do.

Always prioritize safety when choosing hair care brands. This may be surprising, but indeed, baby shampoo is highly suggested for older people to prevent eye irritation.

Also, it would be best to select a detangling spray or leave-in conditioner rather than buying the standard conditioner.

This is because the latter will need a second rinse in the shower or sink, which may result in undue fatigue, a slip, or a fall accident.

Protective underwear

It is common for older people to experience urinary incontinence – an involuntary urine leakage. At least 1 out of 10 people (65 years old and above) deals with incontinence. And the symptoms range from mild leaking of urine to chronic uncontrollable wetting.

Urge incontinence or overactive bladder among older people can be due to a stroke, multiple sclerosis, dementia, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, or injuries.

Prostate enlargement in older men and pelvic floor atrophy in older women can also lead to an overactive bladder.

That is why it is also essential to put protective underwear in your supply list when caring for a senior family member or patient.

Medicine supplies

Seniors usually take multiple medications throughout the day, so it is important to be always prepared – this is not to miss out on any medication schedules.

Letting your senior patient take proper medicines at the right time interval is vital for treating their conditions and managing symptoms.

Hence, medication management for geriatric patients is crucial. Here are some tips for safe medication management…
 
Continue reading the article and learn more about elderly on Life Is An Episode website.