Caring for Elderly

Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
Course Name
Date of Submission
CARING FOR THE ELDERLY
Introduction
An elder is a senior person in the society or a family. Caring for the elderly involves fulfillment of special needs and offering unique requirements. It also involves providing love and keeping them active throughout. The elders require assistance to live comfortably and this can be done by providing nursing homes and daycare for the adults for a long-term care. Thus, the elderly should be under strict monitoring and tracking of their health and well-being. (Biswas 1). Due to differences in cultures and existence of several elderly care options, one is not limited to one particular practice. Some people prefer traditional methods where younger generations care for the elderly like countries in Asia while others prefer government established programs. Emphasis on the elderly is by considering their personal and social requirements as senior citizens of the country. They desire to age with dignity hence need the daily assistance of different activities engaged in and constant health care. Always remember that with old age unique problems that take place which is triggered by rapid changes of transformation in socioeconomic resulting in changes in living conditions. Thus, the problems and needs of the old aged will always vary according to socioeconomic status, living status, health, and age. (Raju, 33)
Caring for the elderly involves caring psychologically and physically, and this entails planning ahead which helps in solving situations before they arrive as emergencies like sudden injuries.

One can use technology to make homes safe. In planning ahead, one should be ready for emergencies by putting emergency plans like having home first aid kit and posting emergency phone numbers. Always involve the use of technology like GPS trackers to make sure they don’t get lost in the society. Home safety should be put in place to protect the older, special smoke or carbon monoxide detectors can be placed, and any dangerous items should be kept away from homes.
Keeping the elders active; letting them do exercise in protecting them from the disease. The elders are recommended to do moderate activities for 30 minutes. The activities can be swimming, walking and exercise all of these to improve and sustain their flexibility. Those who are unable can independently be undergoing a different positive program towards the same. Elders should always change positions frequently to prevent skin breakdown and painful ulcers. Always keep an eye on their physical and mental health; this involves watching signs of weakness, forgetfulness, signs of depressions such as lack of interest, listlessness in many things. Those with communication disability caregiver can explore ways of understanding them. Always seek information on the type of drugs they are taking by consulting pharmacists.
Families involved should discuss the legal issues to find out about how attorneys, help in getting the necessary documents and determine what legal issues are around their loved one. Sharing of family meals to cheer them; the elders can organize family meals to gain more interest in food. During these times all can share, open up and discuss issues. They can remember past happy moments which can make them laugh.
Taking care of the elderly can be done through the following ways: the use of home caregiver personnel who may help in solving difficulties in taking care of them due to inability or commitments. The caregivers help in maintaining independence and the doing the house chores. The use of senior home or centers: when the elderly requires too much assistance or if the home does not save them, for they are senior citizens thus require best alternative as they provide medical and other services which may not be available at home. Caring for the elderly in your own home helps in maintain family relationships. One can spend time with them and monitor their health conditions.
Conclusion
Old age is a life passage, elders are humans with special needs, caring for them in retaining their dignity and gain confidence. Elders put all their trust in caregivers, family members caring for them or workers in the care institutions. The elders need to enjoy their lives in old age. Taking care of the elderly can be challenging, but one should always be attending to their needs. It is an easy job but rewarding experience.
Work cited
Biswas, A., et al. “Round the clock automatic caring and monitoring of old people and patients from a remote place.” Industrial Automation and Electromechanical Engineering Conference (IEMECON), 2017 8th Annual. IEEE, 2017.
Raju, S. Siva. “Caring for the Elderly: Social gerontology in the Indian context.” The National Medical Journal of India 29.1 (2016): 33.