Providing care for someone who is elderly is a bit different than caring for someone who is injured or someone who is ill. Those who are elderly are often fragile and require special attention. They are often unable to hear clearly and sometimes don’t understand the things that you ask of them. When you’re working in an elderly health care Bethesda MD setting, there are a few tips to keep in mind so that you offer the best care possible.

Plan ahead so that the environment is safe for your client. Find out if there are any special pieces of equipment that are needed or any medications that the person needs to take on a daily basis. This information can often be obtained from the person’s doctor or family members. If you aren’t working in a nursing facility, then you’ll likely find everything that is needed for proper care in the person’s home. While providing the proper health care that is safe and beneficial for your client, you should also be prepared to monitor the financial care of the person, especially if there are no family members who can oversee this aspect.

Bathing is often a part of the daily activities associated with caring for the elderly. Use lotions that are gentle to keep the skin from drying out and cracking. If there are any sores that you notice, then report them to a doctor while providing the proper cleaning on a daily basis. Assist with getting dressed by choosing a few outfits so that the person can pick what to wear each day. When you’re assisting with eating, make sure the food is of a consistency that is easy to chew and swallow. Help with small bites, making sure the diet of the person is followed as well, such as sugar-free or low sodium.