As people get older they are sometimes less well able to look after themselves. For example they may need help with:
Personal care need for help with getting in and out of bed, bathing, washing, dressing, cooking, going to the toilet.
Mobility e.g. getting up and down stairs, getting to the shops, moving around the house.
Combatting social isolation and loneliness
Mental health problems e.g. confusion
If you, or someone you know, needs help in these sorts of areas, use the link on the right hand side of this page to find out about:
older people's services in Cambridgeshire and
accessing social care
If care has already been organised by social care services in Cambridgeshire for an older person and changes are now needed please call 0845 045 5202
Anyone wishing to organise care themselves without involving social care services can obtain lists of
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How to Help Old Peoplewell the governement and the ngo's are already doing what they can to support such people , and its not that the people looking after them dont have money to support such old age homes , its just that the money is not utilised properly ,
go to one such old age home , and talk to people and just choose one such person , whom you would want to help , cos u cant help everyone at the same time, for i if u want to do that , you will have to help them with funds , and we all know wat happens with funds in our country ..dont take a nasty decision , jst know how you can help , and it is by being there for them
Walk for fitness. The amount of calories burnt
increases with the speed or length of a walk. The average walker burns over 100 calories walking a mile or over 15 minutes. Brisk walking is likely to increase fitness levels at a higher rate and can aid weight loss.
Safety is important. Walk on well-lit roads or paths at a time of day when there are other people around. Do not walk alone up dark alleys or in woods or parks. The more people walk together, the safer you will be.
If older family members tire easily or are vulnerable to over-stimulation, limit the number of activities they are involved in or the length of time they are included. The noise and confusion of a large family gathering can lead to irritability or exhaustion, so schedule time for a nap, if necessary, and consider designating a “quiet room” where an older person can take a break. “Assign someone to be the day’s companion to the older person, to make sure the individual is comfortable,” says Daniel Sewell, M.D., director of the Senior Behavior Health Unit at the UCSD Medical Center, who adds that these guidelines work well for young children as well as adults with mental, emotional and physical health issues.
Try to avoid making comments that could inadvertently embarrass an older friend or family member who may be experiencing short-term memory problems. If an older person forgets a recent conversation, for example, don’t make it worse by saying, “Don’t you remember
Social connectedness is especially important at holiday times. “Reaching out to older relatives and friends who are alone is something all of us should do,” Lebowitz says. “Loneliness is a difficult emotion for anyone. Recent research with older people has documented that loneliness is associated with major depression and with suicidal thoughts and impulses.If you have senior family members, be sure to help them adhere to their regular schedule of medications during the frenzy of the holidays. Also, pay attention to their alcohol consumption during holiday parties and family gatherings. According to Sewell, alcohol can provoke inappropriate behavior or interfere with medications.
Older family members with special needs can get lost in the shuffle and chaos of happy family gatherings,” Sewell says.
On top of all the physical and emotional challenges, financial constraints and details can deter an elderly person from undergoing a test that can make a significant difference in the person’s health care and quality of life. |
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