How Can You Help a Bedridden Senior with Caring for Her Skin and Body?
When an elderly family member becomes bedridden, there are special concerns and considerations that you need to keep in mind. Her skin and muscles are especially vulnerable now and require additional care for the best results possible. Your elderly family member’s doctor and home care providers can all help you to care for her at this more difficult stage.
Elder Care in Deerfield IL: Caring for a Bedridden Senior
Moving Her Can Help.
In most cases, circulation and pressure on the body are the two biggest issues that can create skin problems for your aging family member. Regular movement of the joints and limbs can help both to relieve pressure on those areas and to improve circulation. Pillows and bolsters can help you to prop your elderly family member into new positions temporarily without causing more pressure.
Bony Areas Are Especially at Risk.
If your aging adult is thin, she may be more susceptible to excess pressure in bonier spots of her body. This could include her spine, hips, shoulders, and elbows. It’s especially important to ensure that those areas have padding near them. Smaller pillows and pads can help quite a bit.
Check Her Skin Daily.
Your elderly family member’s skin is especially vulnerable. Make sure to keep her skin clean, dry, and inspect it regularly. What you’re looking for are bruises or wounds that can become infected later. Staying on the lookout for sores allows you to treat them before they can become a much bigger problem.
Get Help with Lifting and Moving.
Moving and lifting your aging family member can be very difficult, especially if you’re not physically able to handle those demands. Elder care providers have training in moving and lifting aging adults. They can not only show you how to do so without hurting yourself, they can also help you to do it effectively. The more help that you have with this process, the better, because it takes strain off of your own body.
Talk with your elderly family member’s doctor about what you should watch for in terms of skin issues and infections. The more that you know, the more effective you can be in preventing these problems.
If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Deerfield, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.
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