Adult care also known as geriatrics is not a term usually used in Nigeria. It is generally the care of adults with special needs or just generally the aged. Taking care of your aged mother may not be a challenge if you pay attention to her needs. It only means you have to take note of problems spoken and unspoken. Here are a few tips that can help you.
Source: Washington Post
1. Loneliness is a factor that could make an aged person get sick. Ensure your absence is never felt, by being available. Providing the companionship they need from time to time, especially for those that use the old people home for their aged ones.
This could also mean ensuring they are still connected to the outside world by making a radio available to them and subscribing to cable TV. Buy her books she can read, it could be in your dialect, buy her games she can play solo to stimulate her brain.
2. For an aged woman with an underlying illness, extra caution has to be taken to ensure that her drugs are used regularly. You can go the extra mile by employing a live-in Nurse to ensure that her physical and mental health are always in good condition. Also, ensure appointments with her doctor are adhered to. They cannot be left alone at home.
3. Ensuring that your aged one takes a bath daily. This might seem like the ‘usual’ but it is key in helping them feel new and healthier. In addition, ensure their clothes are washed and tidied up regularly just like it would have been while they were younger. Just help them maintain proper hygiene.
4. Take your aged one for walks from time to time to keep them active. If you can, support them with some gentle exercise, and take them out on some social outings. You know, help them get out of the house for a breath of fresh air.
5. You could let her spend quality time with her aged siblings, reminiscing with family could help their memory as well.
6. Eating healthy and at the appropriate time. They may not be able to eat certain food that may not be easily digestible. Such foods could be taken out of their diet or quantity reduced.
As much as you care for a toddler, that is how much care your aged mother needs. It might not be that intense in some cases. But availability for our aged ones helps keep them with us for longer. Enjoy the memories while they are here.
