What are the simple first aid measures family should be aware of with elders at home?

Introduction:

Knowing how to administer first aid is advantageous for both you and your neighbourhood. It enables you to help injured people until assistance comes in the case of an accident or other emergency. Since first-aid knowledge may be used at home, at work, or in public places, a community gets safer the more individuals who are first-aid qualified are there. Getting your First Aid certification has advantages for you personally as well as your family, friends, coworkers, and even the community at large. Accidents and emergencies are not entirely preventable or unavoidable, as unpleasant as it is to bring them up.

Making ensuring older individuals are secure at home is more crucial than ever as an increasing proportion of them age in place. The most frequent mishaps involving elderly individuals include falls, burns, and poisonings. Here is what you need to know about first aid if you live with an older senior so that you can stay safe.

World  first aid day :

World First Aid Day is commemorated annually on the second Saturday in September to raise awareness of how first aid may save many lives. First aid should be accessible to everyone, especially the most vulnerable, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), it should be a part of a larger development plan. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the need for first aid in the case of an accident and to encourage first aid training for all individuals. Training in first aid not only equips students with the knowledge and skills essential for effective responses but also with the assurance to take action when called upon.

 First aid kit for seniors :

Being ready for injuries and other medical situations is essential while providing elderly care. People grow more prone to accidents and health problems as they age. Even small and non-life-threatening wounds may need special attention due to thinner skin and fragile bones. Families of older citizens should thus make sure that adequate first aid is always available. It's never a bad idea to check an older relative's home first aid kit. Since there is no way to predict when sickness or accident may strike, it is crucial for family members to routinely check their first aid supplies. Any first aid kit's necessities should always be evaluated first. These are the supplies that are often required for first aid at home. You should promptly replenish any resources that you are missing or running low on. These things consist of :

• Scissors/shears
• Tweezers
• Gloves
• Gauze
• Cotton swabs
• Tape
• Band-Aids
• Antiseptic ointment and/or wipes
• Hand sanitiser
• Fever reducer
• Anti-inflammatory
• Calamine lotion
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Cold compress
• Thermometer
• Compact flashlight
• Blanket

Standard goods including non-perishable food, water, batteries, and first aid supplies are typically included in emergency kits. But when it comes to emergency preparedness for senior persons, there are certain extra factors to take into account if you have an elderly family living with you close by. Here are a few examples:

Mobility Aids: Make specific arrangements for how your elderly relative will get around if they are bedridden, wheelchair-bound, or have restricted mobility. If required, they should be prepared to leave their house. For instance, if your parent relies on a motorized wheelchair to get around, make sure to keep a manual wheelchair available in case the motorised wheelchair breaks down.

Durable Medical Equipment: Seniors must have their durable medical equipment (DME) because most emergency shelters do not have any on hand. This includes any portable DME your loved one needs to maintain their health, such as therapeutic oxygen equipment, mobility aids, blood sugar monitors, CPAP machines, customized cushions to avoid skin deterioration, and others.

Hearing Aids: Extra hearing aid batteries should be kept with emergency supplies for those who have hearing loss. When not in use, keep hearing aids in a container at a specific location, such as the elderly person's bedside, so they can be found right away in an emergency. 

Conclusion : 

Making a thorough emergency plan and first aid pack is essential for making sure your elders are ready for potentially hazardous scenarios. These items not only assist you practically and logistically, but they also assist you psychologically by making you feel more certain and hence calmer. Athulya's medical equipment can assist seniors to avoid falling and being hurt, and Athulya home health care also offers 24/7 nursing services for seniors, which may lower the likelihood of an emergency. It is thus our job to protect our elderly in whatever manner we can.