Assisting the Elderly with Personal Care Needs

Assisting our elderly loved ones as they get older with toileting and diapering can be quite the challenge. As your elderly loved one gets older, there are many issues that may show up in these areas. With how many disabilities there are in the elderly population, it is even more vital than ever before to talk to our elderly loved ones about diapering and toileting issues. You should also learn about the issues that can lead to needing assistance in these areas and what can be done about them. Hiring personal care at home providers is a good option to getting assistance.

Conditions Commonly Causing a Need for Toileting and Diapering Assistance

Personal Care at Home Micanopy FL – Assisting the Elderly with Personal Care

There are a number of health conditions that could cause your elderly loved one to need assistance with toileting and diapering. Some of the most common issues that require this need include:

• Chronic illness that affects their mobility
• Chronic arthritis or another pain-provoking condition
• Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
• Accident that leads to being bedridden

If your elderly loved one has any of these conditions, it is vital they are getting the help they need. If this consists of toileting and diapering assistance, but you can’t help, there are personal care at home services they can get.

Use of Portable Commodes

If your elderly loved one is needing assistance with toileting and diapering, one of the best things for them might be a portable commode. These can be put just about anywhere in your elderly loved one’s home, even near them in their bedroom. That way, if they can only stand up and take a couple of steps, they can still make it to the bathroom. It is important to remember that even when this is the case, there still may be accidents. In that case, you or home care providers may need to help your elderly loved one.

Practical Tips for Family Caregivers and Personal Care at Home Aides

When you are faced with needing to help your elderly loved one with toileting and/or diapering, there are some practical tips that can help with this including:

• Do your best not to make your elderly loved one feel embarrassed.
• Limit your elderly loved one’s intake of caffeine and fluids later in the daytime (but make sure they are still getting the water they need during the day).
• Talk to your elderly loved one’s doctor about any medications that can help with their incontinence (if they have any).
• Be sure you or personal care at home providers get the bathroom walkway clear so your elderly loved one can make it there quicker.
• Put easy-to-get-off clothing on your elderly loved one.
• Use thick diapers to help prevent leaks.
• Get diaper rash cream in case it is needed.

These are some of the best things you can do if your elderly loved one needs help with toileting and/or diapering. Does your elderly loved one have one of the conditions above? Does that condition cause them to need help with toileting and/or diapering? If so, use the tips you read about here today to help them. If you can’t help enough or at all, don’t worry. You can get personal care at home services for your elderly loved one.

Sources: https://www.med.upenn.edu/gec/user_documents/7_Continence-InstructorSlidesWithNotes07.pdf

If you are considering Personal Care at Home Services in Micanopy FL, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts Home Care. Call today: 352-225-3727.