Caring for the elderly is not just assisting them in using a commode Philippine. Though one might think so as most Filipinos don’t believe in institutionalized geriatric care. However, it is a fact that most Pinoys love their grandparents. Even the brothers and sisters of grandparents are treated like lolo and lolas. Caring for the elderly comes naturally to Pinoys. However, with the improvement of healthcare comes an increasing life span of people. Now, it’s more common to see octogenarians and lately, we’ve been seeing centenarians. With increasing age comes challenges to caring for the elderly.
The Concept of Geriatric Care
First world countries often lead to medical discoveries and health protocols. While most Asian cultures do have care for old and aged, it was still rare to see anyone above the age of 80. Usually, a family would care for their elderly by assigning a family member as the caretaker. It would usually fall upon someone who doesn’t bring in money into the household such as the wife.
Unfortunately, most modern families are now two-income households. This means the wife and husband both work to sustain their families. Sometimes, even the grown children pitch in. Combined with increasing life spans, taking care of aging family members have taken a back seat in the family.
This phenomenon happened in first world countries and then eventually trickled to other countries. The Philippines is not an exemption. Thus, health care communities developed geriatric care for aging family members.
Maintaining Activities of Daily Living
The main pillar of geriatric care is to help the elderly maintain a degree of competence in doing activities of daily living (ADL). ADLs are common tasks that people do such as hygiene, eating, mobility, shelter, safety and more. However, mobility is perhaps the most important ADL for an older person. Returning an elderly to an optimum level of mobility can help alleviate the burden of caregivers.
Mobility of the Elderly
We often take for granted our capability to walk and get to one place to another. Mobility presents a challenge to most elderly family members. You can have the following equipment depending on the range of motion of your aging grandparent.
Minimal Impairment of Mobility
These are old people who can still walk but needs some support in getting up and for keeping their balance. A quad cane Philippine for aging people is recommended. Quad canes look like ordinary walking canes, however, the base has 4 stands that provide a better center of gravity and grip on the floor.
Moderate Impairment of Mobility
There are two main types of moderate impairment.
- Hemiparesis – Weakness of one side of the body. It usually occurs for older people who had strokes. If the other side of the body still has enough strength, then elbow crutches or forearm crutches Philippine can be used. With physical therapy, your grandparents will manage to return to maximum mobility for their age.
- Full body partial weakness, tremors, and impaired balance – For this type of moderate impairment, it’s ideal for your grandparents to use a walker w/ shoulder support, Philippine. Walkers provides better grip, wheels for movement and brakes if an elderly wants to stand still.
Severe Impairment of Mobility
For people with full body weakness and paralysis below the waist, a wheelchair would be ideal. The wheels should have some sort of rails on the sides so that anyone sitting on it can wheel themselves. A motorized wheelchair is also available but can be quite expensive.
Restricted to Bed without Toilet Privileges
Limiting mobility may also be an option for the elderly to help prevent accidents. These tables can be slid onto the bed and will act as a dining table as an older person enjoys meals without having to get up.
Doctors often advise older people prone to falling or someone recovering from an ailment to remain in bed until capable of resuming ADLs. Bedpans can be used if the patient wants to void or defecate. A call bell can also be installed within reach for your grandparent so they can call a family member or caregiver.
Limited Activity with Toilet Privileges
Elderly people that are allowed to move about the room can benefit from the use of a bedside commode chair with wheels. It might seem awkward at first, but a commode allows the caregiver to keep a discreet eye on the elderly and check if the strain of bowel movement will cause any cerebrovascular events.
These equipment aren’t just for old people. Anyone with impaired movement can make use of them and try to achieve an optimum level of ADLs.
Where to Find Equipment for Caring for the Elderly and Impaired
You don’t have to shop around to get all the equipment you need. There’s one great source for the above-mentioned equipment. Philippine Medical Supplies offers a wide array of health care products for your needs. You can buy equipment for home use or even for your own clinic or hospital. Just visit the website, browse the catalog and get your orders shipped right to your doorstep.
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