How do you care for an elderly person?

If you are caring for an elderly person at home, there are some hygiene aspects you need to know about this age group.

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How to care for the oral cavity of an elderly person?

The oral cavity of elderly and old people requires more careful care due to the frequent complete or partial loss of teeth, the development of age-related changes in the salivary glands and mucous membrane.

Only the attending dentist can give individually based recommendations, but there are a number of general principles of oral care in old age.

1. It is recommended to brush your teeth 2-3 times a day for at least 4 minutes, using a medium-hard or soft brush (its shelf life is determined by 1-2 months or a change in the color of the indicator hairs).
2. It is essential to thoroughly rinse your mouth with water and wash your removable dentures after each meal.
3. When choosing toothpastes, preference should be given to therapeutic and prophylactic ones that have an anti-inflammatory effect and strengthen tooth enamel.
4. Since the condition of the oral cavity is a consequence of the food consumed, it is advisable, if possible, to finish meals with fresh (pureed or whole) vegetables and fruits, enrich the diet with macro- and microelements, vitamins.

Frequent changes in the functional state of internal organs in old age create prerequisites for the development of diseases around the dental tissues - periodontosis and periodontitis. Phytotherapy is widely used for the prevention and complex treatment of this pathology. Infusions and tinctures with anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and deodorizing effects are used. They are prepared from the root of marshmallow, chamomile flowers, St. John's wort, yarrow (pink and white), calendula officinalis, eucalyptus, plantain, coltsfoot, stinging nettle. It is recommended to periodically conduct courses of rinsing (7-10 days) with one of the infusions, especially if unpleasant sensations or bad breath appear. If these symptoms are severe, treatment by a specialist is required.

Older people should not forget about regular visits (2-4 times a year) to the dentist.

How to care for the skin of an elderly person?

One of the basic rules of skin care in old age is to keep it clean. Particular attention should be paid to cleansing natural folds - on the neck, in the groin and perineum, under the mammary glands in women and under the fat folds in obese people. They are washed twice a day with warm water and soap and thoroughly dried by blotting (to avoid additional trauma to the thinned skin), sometimes using baby powder or petroleum jelly (in places where the skin may be irritated by secretions). After urination and defecation, it is preferable to wash with toilet paper.

It is advisable to wash with water without soap or using fatty types of soap. Of the general hygiene procedures (taken 1-2 times a week), a shower or, if there are no contraindications, a bath are preferable.

The skin of the feet also requires careful care: daily washing with baby soap, use of moisturizing and antimicrobial balms and creams, regular and proper nail treatment.

Hands should be protected from exposure to chemical cleaning agents, using protective rubber gloves as much as possible. Once or twice a day, it is necessary to lubricate the hands with a cream containing vitamins A and E. There are special domestic creams for the elderly - "Extel", "Gerontol", etc. It is very useful for the skin to be in an atmosphere free of chemical pollution, tobacco smoke, so it is recommended to stay outside the city, quit smoking. However, in the open air, the skin should be maximally protected with clothing from excessive exposure to sunlight and strong wind.

Changes in the skin appendages - hair and nails - create many psychological problems for people in their third age. Changes in hair color, their pronounced thinning require a change in hairstyle and sometimes - the need to wear wigs. To make hair care easier, medium length or a haircut is recommended. Regular visits to the hairdresser, neat and well-groomed hair improve the emotional state of both women and men.

Sufficient physical activity and adherence to the rules of gerodietetics also have a positive effect on the condition of the skin of an elderly person.

Hygiene of clothes and shoes

Underwear for people over 60 years of age should be made of natural materials, without tight elastic bands, and must be clean. To do this, change it at least once a day or as it gets dirty. Outerwear should be warm and light. Pastel colors and a classic cut, natural or mixed fabrics that provide good ventilation are preferable. It is recommended that older people wear a hat that corresponds to the state of thermoregulation, the ambient temperature, and the person's habits. This prevents excessive heat loss, the adverse effects of sunlight, and helps hide hair defects.

Shoes should be fuller, 1-2 sizes larger than in younger years. Wide toes and a stable heel, 4-5 cm high, are preferable. It is necessary to take into account that shoes made of genuine leather are more comfortable, easier to take the shape of the foot. The fastener should be as simple and durable as possible. The use of insoles is mandatory.

In general, the clothes and shoes of an elderly person should be comfortable, in line with fashion trends, and conceal the flaws of a changing figure.

When organizing and providing care for elderly and senile people at home or in various medical, preventive and social institutions, it is necessary to remember the following rules:

• It is better for elderly and senile people to be treated at home rather than in a hospital;
• if hospitalization is necessary, in order to speed up adaptation to new conditions in the first days, the requirements for compliance with the regime in the department should be reduced as much as possible, bringing it closer to home;
• address the patient by his first name and patronymic;
• to facilitate the patient's desire to communicate with relatives;
• provide access to general information (newspapers, radio, television), as well as information of personal interest to the patient (about diet, rules of conduct for existing diseases, etc.);
• one should strive to study, preserve and pay close attention to the patient's individuality (perceive the patient as an individual);
• pay special attention to normalizing sleep and preventing injuries;
• there should be a means of communication (a telephone or a button to contact a nurse) next to the patient’s bed;
• in a department with many elderly patients, it is necessary to have a relaxation area equipped with shallow chairs with a straight back and armrests, an aquarium, flowers, audio and video equipment;
• maintain ventilation, avoid drafts;
• It is necessary to repeatedly explain the procedure for carrying out all treatment and diagnostic procedures, with special attention paid to observing the appointed time;
• in order to maintain a normal psychological climate in the department, it is not allowed to single out any of the patients in communication; when filling the wards, the psychological compatibility of the patients must be taken into account;
• it is necessary to increase the duration of verbal and non-verbal communication with the patient;
• when carrying out drug treatment, observe the rules of pharmacotherapy in geriatrics;
• be tolerant of the patient's physical and mental disabilities and carefully observe the requirements of deontology.