Dr Prathibha Pereira, leading Geriatrician from Karnataka explains in simple language about Healthy Aging and what is the role of family members and caregiver towards Aging Well. At Healthy Wrinkles through series of video interviews Dr Pereira and other leading geriatricians discuss Healthy Aging. https://youtu.be/JHttLJiBVys
Geriatricians is a emerging specialty of physicians that focuses exclusively on problems of elderly including physical, mental and psychological issues in a holistic fashion. A list of Geriatricians can be accessed over here.
Educating family members and caregivers
Dr Pereira explains the role of educating family members and caregivers about concept of inherent capacities of the elderly. They also need to be communicated that as a part of natural course those capacities are going to decline over the years. With her experience, she explains that caregivers think that they are visiting doctors very often but even then capabilities of the elderly are declining. Caregivers think that in spite of the treatment and in spite of spending money as well as time/ energy elderly individual is becoming more dependent. So it is important to counsel the caregivers and set the expectations right.
Caregiver burnout
This could lead to caregiver burn out / depression too in many cases. So how to deal with this? In addition to counselling the caregivers, they also need to be told about how to manage the burden. E.g. managing chronic respiratory challenges; the patients can not be kept at hospital for long and hence teaching caregivers about handing bi-pap or nebulizers is important.
Picking up warning signs
They also need to educated about picking up early warning signs. If caregiver is in a position to pick up early warning signs, then major hospitalization episodes can be avoided. So if elderly patient becomes drowsy suddenly or suddenly falls without any reason or if there is mood change without any reason then these warning signs need to be picked up.
Also, managing mental health of elderly and offering palliative care are important training needs in certain situations.
Seek support
Caregivers also need to be told that they need to ask for help and support so reduce caregiver burden. Today, there are several options available on nursing care and with that external professional help, caregiver burnout can be managed.
In short, managing elderly and offering good care for them is a long work for everyone but that is the need of the hour. Families and caregivers need to prepare themselves for the same.
In the other video of Dr Pereira, related to the same topic, she will be discussing what is definition of Healthy Aging and what outcomes shall we expect.
Healthy Wrinkles is devoted to better healthcare of senior citizens. We hope that Healthy Wrinkles YouTube channel, blogs and healthcare service databases will help senior citizens and also their family members to ensure better health. Knowledge, discussions and demonstrations over here are for the purpose of information only and shall NOT be construed as medical advice. You should contact your health care professional with respect any specific problem or issue.
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