Caregivers in Summerlin NV
Needing to go to the emergency room for urgent medical attention is not something that people enjoy or that you as a family caregiver should take lightly. If your parent has to undergo this type of medical visit due to an injury, illness, or other serious issue, however, it is critical that they are cooperative and do what they need to do in order to get the most benefit from the care and avoid potentially serious consequences that can come from a visit to the emergency room. As their caregiver it is important that you are there to help your aging parent and the medical team to work together properly and ensure that your senior gets the care and attention that they need.
Use these tips to help you deal with a difficult senior in the emergency room:
• Talk to them about the situation. What some may perceive as difficult behavior may actually be your loved one’s reaction to feeling anxious and unsure of what is going on. They might feel out of control and even afraid of what might happen during their time in the emergency room. Talk to your parent throughout the visit and be sure that they have as much information as possible to help them feel calmer, more informed, and more in control.
• Explain any personal issues to the medical team. If your senior has any individual challenges or concerns that might pose difficulties in caring for them, share these with the medical team. Remember that your parent seeming difficult might just be that they do not understand what is going on or they feel that they are not being treated properly and get upset. Sharing all of the information you can about them with the medical team can help make interactions smoother and less stressful. For example, if your parent has vision or hearing loss, does not like not like to be touched, has dementia, or is more comfortable with another language, tell the medical team so that they can use those details to structure their care.
• Encourage your parent. If your loved one starts being difficult during the visit, is not cooperating with the medical team, is being demanding or rude, or is otherwise having a harder time, step in. Help them to understand the importance of the visit and what the medical team is trying to accomplish and encourage them to cooperate and let the team do their job not only for your elderly loved one, but for all of the other patients in the emergency room that day. This might mean reminding them that they should not call the nurse in every few moments for mild complaints and that they do not need to remind the medical team of the same symptoms several times, or it could mean encouraging them not to struggle against tests or procedures and to provide straightforward, honest information when talking with the medical team.
• Be their advocate. Sometimes an elderly adult is simply not able to be their own best advocate when visiting the emergency room. They might feel sick or be in pain, they might be afraid, or they might be struggling with cognitive issues that prevent them from doing what they need to do in order to get the best care possible. When this happens it is important that you be their best advocate. Answer questions that the medical team has, give them honest and full information, and reassure the medical team if they are feeling flustered that they have done what they need to do. Work toward keeping your parent calm and cooperative, and ensuring that the medical team is truly giving them the care and support that they need.
If your aging loved one has recently spent time in the emergency room, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting home care for them. Regardless of the issue that brought them to the hospital, the time after they return home can be integral in protecting the future of their health and well-being. This is the time when hospital readmission becomes an issue and your loved one will also need to focus on recovering from the illness, injury, or other concern that had them seeking emergency medical attention. The highly personalized services of an in-home care provider can ensure that they get the care, support, assistance, and other services that they need to manage their individual needs and challenges, prevent readmission, and maintain the quality of life and lifestyle that is right for them.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING IN-HOME CAREGIVERS IN SUMMERLIN, NV, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE. CALL TODAY 702-800-4616.