1. To explain how to take care of an elderly person;

2. To enumerate the various guidelines in taking care of an elderly person; and

3. To perform different ways to help an elderly person.

The learners are able to:

1. Explained how to take care of an elderly person.

2. Enumerated the various guidelines in taking care of an elderly person.

3. Performed different ways to help an elderly person.

What makes the Filipino family proud and well-admired is its close family ties?

• It is because of these ties that taking care of old people, like our grandmother and grandfather, is not only a responsibility but a privilege as well..

• This is a good Filipino tradition that has been in practice for many years and many generations. It is a tradition that we should perpetuate

in the years to come.

Characteristics of the Elderly

1. Old people are less active than the young ones. They experience weakness easily.

2. There is a tendency to experience pain in some parts. Arthritis, for instance, is common among the elderly. In general, people of 40 years and over experience more illnesses than the younger ones.

3. Old people tend to be moody or temperamental. 

• This is partly due to the fact that they are not as active and strong as they used to be. 

• Also, they do not feel well all the time. 

• They become disappointed that they cannot cope anymore with the activities they want to do as when they were young.

4. Old people tend to be overly sensitive to what others say, especially those that come from members of the family. 

• This sensitivity is partly due to the feeling that they may not work a lot like how they did before or partly because they think that they are not loved anymore.

5. There is a feeling of insecurity brought about by aging. 

• When one grows old, there is a craving for attention and affection from the

loved ones because this gives a feeling of belongingness.

Guidelines in Taking Care of the Elderly

1. Provide adequate and nutritious food suitable for their age. 

• Easy-to-digest foods such as well-cooked meat, broiled fish, non-fat milk, fresh fruits, and vegetables give energy, build strong resistance to diseases, and repair body tissues.

2. Follow the diet prescribed by the doctor especially in case of illness. 

• Elders tend to neglect their diet.

3. Provide a place or room where there is good ventilation, fresh air, and quiet ambiance. 

• Be considerate by keeping quiet when they are resting or sleeping.

4. Shower them with love and affection. 

• A simple “Hello!” or “How are you?” can brighten up their day. 

• Take a few minutes to converse with them about the day’s events.

5. Once in a while, bring home pasalubong for them. 

• At times, give an invitation to a snack, a walk, a visit to a relative, or to attend a

birthday party.

6. Be humorous.

• Nothing can set the mood right than laughter. 

•  It takes the problem off their mind and gives a light feeling.

Caring for the Sick Elderly

1. How to make the patient comfortable

2. What diet to prepare and serve

3. What should be done while the doctor has not arrived yet

Making the Elderly Comfortable

1. Allow the elderly to wear simple, easy to wear, loose and comfortable clothes. Loose cotton is preferable over synthetic fabrics as they are cool to the skin and absorbs sweat faster than other fabrics.

2. Let the elderly rest in a cool, quiet, and peaceful room, if possible, away from where the children play. See to it that the room, no matter how small, is well-ventilated with sufficient and subtle lighting and enough fresh air. Keep the room clean, neat, orderly, and cheerful as this affects the mood of the erderly. Fresh flowers can add cheer to the room.

3. The bed should be soft but firm. The beddings should smell good, be clean, and well-pressed. It should be made of cotton as this is an absorbent. Elders will feel cool to lie down in a bed made of cotton. Have enough pillows to support the elderly’s head and back. Change the beddings and pillow cases as often as needed.

4. If the elderly desires soft and soothing music, have some of his/ her favorite songs or instrumental music for him/her to hear. In some cases, television can help keep him/her occupied.

5. Cheer up the elderly. Give encouraging words. Give some soothing and gentle touches to show your care. Studies have shown that physical pain is greatly reduced through touch therapy.

Preparing the Diet of the Sick Elderly

1. Choose the foods prescribed by the doctor. Buy those that are

fresh or of good quality.

2. Prepare the food the way the patient likes it. How food is prepared is part of a person’s eating habits. If he/she is used to it, it is easy to encourage him/her to eat.

3. Serve the food in an attractive manner. Use clean and attractive plates, a clean napkin, some food garnishing, and colorful flowers in a vase. An attractive and well-served food can lift the spirit up and stimulate the appetite.

4. Food served for an ill person consists mostly of easy-to-digest food such as soft-cooked eggs, biscuits, milk, fruits and fruit juices, soft-cooked rice, steam or sautéed vegetables, and broiled fish or meat.

5. Follow the advice of the doctor on the type of diet to prepare – liquid, soft, light, or full diet.

6. Have a list of recipes or menus that can provide a variety of flavors, taste, consistency, and appearance.

What To Do While the Doctor Has Not Arrived yet

1. You may ask questions to know what the sick elderly feels.

2. Take the body temperature. Use a digital thermometer. Know how to use the thermometer. Record the temperature every hour to determine its trend, that is, whether it goes up or down or if it is constant.

3. If the temperature is high, wipe the face, arms, legs, and body with a wet and cool towel. This helps lower the temperature.

After the Doctor has Seen the Patient

1. Keep the elderly comfortable. If he/she feels cold, provide a blanket to keep him/her warm. Provide cool clothing in case of fever.

2. Keep him/her clean. A sponge bath will make the elderly fresh and clean. Change clothing as often as possible. Do the same with beddings.

3. Sufficient liquid such as water, fruit juice, or hot soup is always good for any type of illness. Give him/her plenty of liquid as often as possible.

Some Signs of Illness

1. Fever

2. Redness/Paleness of skin

3. Persistent pain

4. Dizziness

5. Nausea

6. Weakness of senses

7. Restlessness

8. Persistent headache

9. Coughing

10. Lack of appetite

11. Sleeplessness

12. Irritability

Signs of Serious Illness

1. Hemorrhage

2. Continuous vomiting

3. Difficulty in breathing

4. General weakening

5. Continuous diarrhea

6. Continuous pain in the stomach

7. Continuous high fever for 3 days or more

8. Rapid weight loss

9. Blood in the urine

10. Wounds that do not heal

11. Difficulty in swallowing

12. Change in color of the skin and eyes