How to take care of elderly people?

Tonight attended Tzu Chi medical volunteers fellowship gathering.

I) WORDS of WISDOM

We should be thankful to our parents for giving us a healthy body to
serve mankind.

We should treasure every moment of togetherness as we don't know
tomorrow will arrive first or impermanence will arrive first.

We must be filial to our parents if they are still around. If they are
not around, we must be thankful to them as given us this body to
pursue our wisdom.

Patient's smile is the most beautiful.

Hospital is the best place for us to contemplate on impermanence.

Do we really show our concern and care to our parents?

II) How to take care of elderly people?

Elderly people means those who age above 65 years old

It is essential to provide safety, comfortable and healthy environment for them.

Due to aging process, their physical cell functions will be
effected,eg eyesight and hearing are deteriorating.

1) SAFETY

1.1)neat and tidy (eg toys scatters around may harm them),reduce
obstacles, tidying messy wiring
1.2)provide enough space for activities (esp those using wheel chairs)
1.3)avoid them from getting things from higher places
1.4)suggest using anti-slippery mat, hand railing in toilets/bath room

2) DAILY LIVING DETAILS

2.1) encourage them to be independence
2.2) respect their choices (eg let them do whatever they like, give
them chances to convey their opinions)
2.3) care for their diet needs(eg reduce oily food, vegetables cut into
small slices to ease their digestive system)
2.4) participating activities to activate their cells, like Tai Chi,
gardening, calligraphy, chess, musical instrument

3) MEDICAL CARES

3.1) Understand their medication (medicines to be taken, dosage and
timing), avoid incidence of wrongly consumption. Some medication
cannot be stopped, as this will cause unexpected consequences.
3.2) Care for their appointment dates to visit doctors.


Q&A sessions

1)For patients with Parkinson's disease and Dementia (meaning
"deprived of mind") encourage them to participate activities like
chess, Mahjong(A type of Chinese Chess)
outing (for fresh air and seeing more things)

2) Elderly people are not encourage to spend their time in front of
TV as this will fasten the aging of eyesight.

3) If they feel sleepy the whole day, it could be
a) lack of nutrients (may be due to eat less, sweating too much,low intake of sodium or calcium)
b) disappointment etc