ELDERLY CARE ASPECTS, PRESUMPTION AND REALITY

Getting old is a natural course or a phenomenon that every living being goes through. Age undoubtedly changes the insight of life by the experiences that one collects throughout. In our society, although the elderly have mostly been respected by the younger generation, the aged are sometimes not taken care of and they are deprived of their respect, affection and love that they deserve, and in certain instances they are abused, harassed, and abandoned, leaving to them without any alternatives but to take refuge old-age homes. Nevertheless there are a number of families which still go by the ethics, morals and good practices not forgetting to take care of their elders in their old age. In most of the cases especially if the couple are both employed, they engage a house maid or a domestic helper who is capable of looking after the elderly.    

The needs and requirements of the aged involve supporting in the daily activity and a variety of elderly care doings. The elderly care accentuates the demand of the elderly citizens who desire to age with self-respect along with healthcare and a bit of assistance in their day to day activities. Taking care of elderly and helping them live with self-respect is one of the foremost duties of every son and daughter. Since the aged becomes prone to medical conditions after a period, we must learn how to deal with such conditions for the good health of our elderly. To make up the elderly care manageable and to keep the elder person not feel burdened, in case one is unable to devote sufficient time due to prescheduled job commitments, hiring a housemaid to offer essential support is very much essential.

Hiring of a housemaid or a domestic help to take care of the elderly is of course a necessity since the elderly can surely enjoy the much desired family compassion and also an aide to take care of their health issues as well. However there are a set of mandatory aspects that have to be kept in mind while hiring and after hiring the maid specifically for this elderly care. The maid who is employed to take care of the elderly has to primarily pay attention to the elderly person’s diet. Since digestion deteriorates with age, consuming foods that may be contrary to the age may lead to indigestion or other health complications; hence it is very essential to nourish them with a nutritious and a healthy meal. This apart motivating and helping the elderly to exercise with movements that comprises of light stretching and limbering is certainly a good idea, accompanying the elderly in morning and evening walks will make them feel refreshed and a feeling of togetherness. A regular routine of exercise can help the aged to remain healthy and fit, the maid must be able to supervise and help them out with light workouts, and physiotherapy, walking and yoga which will not only keep them physically active but will also boost up the moods, activate organ functionality, and increase physical strength.  

The maid engaged for the care for the elderly must keep in mind to properly maintain the walking space in house. If the area is carpeted then the housemaid or the elderly care giver should see that there are no fray ends anywhere on the carpet which may be the cause of any fall by tripping on the loose ends. Likewise if the area is non-carpeted, then the floor must be kept in a proper condition and care should be taken to see that it is neither too dry and dusty nor moist and slippery. Because accidental falls have been linked with most injuries for elders which is said to have led to many physical injuries, which at time leaves the elderly crippled for a long time. The maid while taking the elderly on periodic medial visits should essentially carry details of the elderly person’s medical history, in progress medications, and all reports related to the on-going treatment. A proper looking after the aged necessarily means providing a real compassionate elderly care. A precise guidance to the maid along with the most needed benevolence towards the aged can surely augment to their longevity and more over the quality of life during that ripe age.