Caring for the Senior
According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. One out of every four seniors aged 65 years or older fall each year, resulting in more than 2.8 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 27,000 deaths. While falls are also the leading cause of fractures, seniors can suffer from a car accident or even simply twisting oddly while standing. Though there are a number of nutritional and environmental interventions that can lower the risk of such injuries, having a first aid kit on hand and stocked can be extremely valuable if an accident were to occur. Ensure and assist in senior safety with the proper supplies
- List of emergency contacts, including family members, doctor, pharmacist, and poison control
- List of insurance information
- Medications with dosing information and instruction
- Non-latex gloves and a plastic bag for disposal as needed
- Oral thermometer (non-mercury and non-glass)
- Cold pack and compress
- Bandages in assorted sizes
- Gauze and tape
- Hand sanitizer, antiseptic wipes, and soap
- Tweezers and scissors
- A blanket
- Antibiotic ointment
- Aspirin
- Blood pressure cuff
- Blood glucose meter and insulin as needed
- Automated external defibrillator (AED) machine
- First aid instruction booklet
Provided by the American Red Cross, find more recommendations and tips for making a well-stocked first aid kit here.
Caregiver’s (Personal) First Aid Kit
While offering injury assistance is a vital role of caregivers, personal self-care should not go unnoticed. The following items are humble reminders for caregivers to take care of their own health and well-being:
- Coffee mug to fuel days and warm hearts
- Chocolate kiss to remember just how appreciated they are
- A puzzle to reminding them they are an essential piece of someone’s life
- Notepad, calendar, and pen to keep thoughts and tasks remembered
- Coloring book and crayons to unleash inner creativeness and manage stress they may be feeling
- Kit Kat to reiterate the importance of a well-deserve a break
- Bath salts to unwind in a warm, relaxing bath at the end of their workday
- Crockpot to use when days are long and meals need to be simple
- Bag of trail mix to beat that pesky snack attack when hunger strikes and sitting down to a meal is further in the day
- Water bottle to assist in proper hydration
