If you have an elderly loved one that gets sick in one way or another and you have the opportunity to help care for them, there are a few things that you’re going to want to know before you start trying to nurse them back to health.
To help you learn just how you can give your loved one the right care for them, here are three tips for caring for an elderly loved one who’s sick.
Research Their Illness Related to Their Age
As soon as your elderly loved one becomes sick, the first thing that you should do is figure out what their illness is and what you can do to help them feel better. In many instances, seniors should be taken to see their doctor when they get sick, as things can go from mildly to extreme sickness very quickly. So if your loved one is in your care and not in an assisted living facility, make sure you get them the professional care they need first.
As you’re doing your research about the sickness your elderly loved one has, make sure you learn about signs that things are improving or that they’re getting worse. With this information, you can know if you’re nearing the end of the sickness and can start pushing your loved one a bit more or if you’re needing to call 911 to get immediate help.
Prioritize Their Safety And Comfort
If the illness that your elderly loved one currently has is something that allows them to stay at home and recover, this is where you’re really going to be needed for comfort and support.
Especially if your elderly loved one is already frail, when they’re feeling sick, it’s going to be up to you to ensure that they’re getting what they need as they recover. To help you in doing this, you’ll want to start with prioritizing their safety and comfort. Make sure that you’re feeding them with healthy foods that will be easy for them to eat and that you’re allowing them to rest.
Take On Tasks That Sap Their Energy
For many people, including the elderly, it can be hard to rest and allow others to care for them. So if you notice that your loved one is having a hard time letting you help them, try to figure out what things they’re trying to do on their own that are taking the most energy for them. Then, you can step in for them and help with these things. By doing this, you’ll still be giving your loved one the chance to do things for themselves that they’re capable of while taking the hardest tasks off their plate for them.
If you have an elderly loved one that’s sick, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you give them the best possible care during this time.
