If you help care for an elderly parent or grandparent, it’s important that you’re prepared for medical emergencies. Emergency preparedness can be a literal life-saver, ensuring seniors receive the first aid and medical attention they need when injury, illness, or a health event strikes. How to Prepare for Elderly Medical Emergencies
Proper emergency preparedness comes down to three key factors:
- Knowing what to do when an emergency strikes.
- Having the materials you need for a given emergency.
- Experience and training in emergency response.
Below, the elderly care experts at Visiting Angels have outlined key steps that family caregivers can take to prepare for elderly medical emergencies. How to Prepare for Elderly Medical Emergencies
Become First Aid Certified
Learning first aid is something every family caregiver should take seriously. The first few minutes following a health event are often crucial. If a person has suffered a serious event, like a heart attack or stroke, first aid can be the difference between life and death. First aid can also make a big difference when responding to less serious medical emergencies — like broken bones — improving the chance of a quick and full recovery.
Many organizations provide first aid classes, and you should be able to find a class near you. If possible, take the most advanced first aid course available to you, since this will help you prepare for a wider range of emergencies than basic first aid courses. Remember that first aid certification requires renewal every 12 to 36 months, depending on the certification in question.
Build an Emergency Response Kit
Your emergency response preparedness will be compromised unless you have the right materials, equipment, and information on hand. To properly prepare for medical emergencies, you will need a fully stocked home first aid kit in both your home and your car. You can buy pre-packaged first aid kits or build your own using first aid kit guidelines like those offered by the American Red Cross.
When building your first aid kit, you should also include any information and additional materials you may need in case of an emergency. This will include a complete contact sheet for emergency centers, doctors, nurses, relatives, and friends you may need to contact in the event of an emergency. It may also include medications taken by your loved one along with items that you may need in an emergency, such as spare keys, cash, phone chargers, a flashlight, or bottled water.
Run Emergency Drills
One of the best ways to prepare for an emergency is to make a practice run. While some people feel silly running drills in their own home, there’s a reason why emergency response drills are used in workplaces across America: they work. By putting yourself in a real-time simulation of an emergency, you can make sure that you know how to respond when an emergency actually strikes.
If you need assistance caring for a loved one at home, contact your local Visiting Angels today to learn about in-home elderly care options. How to Prepare for Elderly Medical Emergencies
How to Prepare for Elderly Medical Emergencies
How to Prepare for Elderly Medical Emergencies