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Caring for seniors has a special reward to it. The following list of suggestions is to help care givers tend to the special needs seniors face:
- Ask seniors if and specificity when they feel lonely (Example: at meal time) and what would make it better for them. This pro-actively encourages their mental well being.
- Attempt to organize visits to the nursing home around the availability of grandchildren who are in the work force, with those who are retired filling in the gaps. This helps the resident feel loved and not feel tired out from having all the visitors in one day.
- Build a rapport with the senior citizen's nursing home staff. Regularly ask for updates. Inquire what the staff see are the needs the senior is facing.
- Do not hinder discussions about death. Help seniors explore this topic at their pace. A strong bond will form with the people a senior citizen confides in. In time these conversations become cherished memories.
- Have a guest book to track the senior's visitors and their remarks. If there is a serious health set back family members may call upon these people to sit with the senior.
- Make the residence where the senior lives safe by ensuring there are no slippery floors, electric chords in pathways, loose rugs, raised thresholds or clutter. As well ensure there is excellent lighting.
- Many tools are available for installation and use in the home, apartment or seniors residence. These include, but are not limited to, large keypad telephones, shower and toilet support bars, raised toilet seats and large print clock radios. Assess what tools the senior you care for would benefit from so he or she may enjoy a healthy quality of life.
- Medications may cause side effects to their users. When prescriptions are changed pay special attention if the senior begins having problems with balance, slow reflexes, poor eye site or begins to exhibit other side effects.
- Talk to the pharmacist about what products are available to help seniors take their medications on schedule.
- There are times when emergency alert systems become medically warranted. These are installed in the residence of a senior who is facing ongoing health challenges. They allow the user to trigger a call to an operator so a family member or health care professional may be contacted and come to the residence for immediate assistance. Contact the local seniors residence or hospital to find out what is available in your community and is necessary in the situation you face.
- When the time comes for a senior to move into a nursing home residence ensure the policy allows for unannounced visits from family members and friends.
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