Please share some do's and don'ts when it comes to caring for an elderly person.

Among: Among elderly women in whom calcium intake is impaired, high caffeine can lead to bone loss.

DON’T: Don’t forget that tai chi can improve sleep quality (especially in the elderly).

Building: Building calcium stores as youth helps delay onset of bone loss in elderly.

Keep: Keep stairways uncluttered and well lit. A fall down a staircase can be devastating.

If: Myth: if you walk with a cane, you won't fall.

Good: Good to check their weight regularly to make sure they are getting enough nutrition.

Make: Make sure they are able to perform their adl's (activities of daily living) or put supports in place.

DO: Do make sure they are safe with whatever resources they need. Don't treat them as children. Respect.

DON'T: Don't leave elderly alone in a car on a warm day! they are particularly vulnerable to heat stroke.

An: An elderly person needs a purpose in life. Help them feel needed and appreciated.

Be: Be patient, kind and loving. Treat them as you would a baby. Tender loving care as they gave you.

Home: Home environment with good lighting, no area rugs, firm rails on stairs and good social support.

Stay: Stay patient when your older relative repeats the same story again and again; they can't help it.

Your: Your older relative is more likely to do something if they think it's their idea! be creative.

Don't: Don't treat them like they are children. Respect them. Remember, they've seen and done it all!

Talk: Talk to their doctor about their health. Encourage them to exercise. Learn from their wisdom on life!

Care for Elderly: It is tough to care for a loved one and important you make some " me time" for yourself.

Living with Elderly: One tip is get a baby monitor for night care and have a private place for yourself.

Dont's: Do not argue with the elderly assuming they have dementia.

More: More elderly women than men die of heart disease, so make sure grandma gets her heart testing done!

It: It is too harsh to say, "do no resuscitate!" instead, say, "allow natural death." this eases minds.

Ask: Ask their doctor for a "gait evaluation" if you think they are at risk for falling. Prevention helps!

ALL: All high BP pts must have a dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist yearly. Not eyeglass store exams!

To: To reduce the risk of falling, have one's hearing checked.

As: As your doctor, if i give you a prescription, get it filled & take the medication. If you have questions, ask.

Is: Is the person in pain. Even people with dementia can display pain signals which may go unnoticed.

Elder: Elder care is hard on you, your family, and loved ones. You always need a break!

Provide: Provide safe environment . Monitor their diet, medication compliance, and doctors' visits.

Always: Always keep them well hydrated as they may not be aware of their hydration.

It: Myth - it is tough to take care of elderly people, and also boring. Reality - it is not!

Don't: Don't discount person's mental power due to age. Respect.

Work: Work with, talk with, be with instead of... Work for, talk to, be detached. Increase involvement.

Do: Do ask for help in whatever way the elder can assist you. Don't forget that slowly is not can't.

Do: Do call an elderly person today. They will be glad for the call.

Honoring: Honoring your father and mother, means caring for them, better than they have for you.

Get: Get your parents proper "long term care" insurance before they need it.

Greatest: Greatest risk of suicide is elderly men and young men. Elderly men who lost their wives at great risk.

Their: Myth: their minds are mush. Far from the truth! even those who are seemingly not communicating.

Tactile: Tactile stimulation helps put a smile on their face. Hold their hand.

Exercise: Exercise patience. Treat the person as if you would your own parents. Watch for non-verbal cues.

Old: Old doesn't mean wise! old doesn't mean easy! be prepared to things you might not expect!

Don't: Don't argue if you feel your argument is not well taken. Be ready for things before they happen.

Don't: Don't apply force where you normally would. The bones are fragile in the elderly.

Treat: Treat them like you would want to be treated. Not how they treated you, even better, no matter what.

If: If you find yourself impatient with an elderly person, just remember that you will grow old someday.

The: The hearing impaired need help to converse. Look at them, talk slowly, and let them read your lips.

Make: Make sure there aren't obstacles that can cause falls in the home - furniture, rugs, or clutter.

Do: Do assist respectfully for adls, do talk respectfully, don't assume or treat them like children.

Caregivers: Caregivers often suffer, so pay attention to your needs and get help with your symptoms asap.

Be: Be kind and understanding, ask for additional help when you need it.

Be: Be sure to have their eyes checked. Good vision prevents falls and improves their quality of life.

Be: Be patient. Be a good listener. Make sure they are current with a physician.

Be: Be patient and listen. It can take a little longer for an elderly person to tell you what they need.

Take: Take their elbow bend your knees have them take your elbow both pull together as they stand up.

Be: Be patient, treat them with dignity; we all get there.

Dont: Dont shout at them and talk to them like they are small children unless they have conditions.

Help: Help to be sure all meds are being taken regularly.A weekly pill organizer can help.

Do: Do expect some resistance. Don't give in but gracefully figure out a way around it.

Auth: A myth about caring for the elderly is that it is all hard work and no joy.

To: To take better care of an elderly try to figure out how the person is feeling.

Don't: Don't leave an elderly person alone after hospitalization. Go to follow up appointments.

Don't: Don't argue with them let things go. This will increase agitation.

Do: Do hold your grandparents hand when walking in public, in a park or at the mall. I know you are 20!

With: With elderly patients, remember to take extra time to explain things. As we age we process slower.

If: If one parent dies, another parent may develop chest pain at being told. Take that seriously. 911.

When: When caring for elderly, really listen to their stories. They have so much wisdom to impart....

Don't: Don't skip the dentist to save $, as the results of neglect often cost more than prevention!

Don't: Don't skip routine x-rays at routine dental exams when they're due. Simple problems r found earlier!

A: A myth is that that elderly people don't care about their appearance due to their age!

Ask: Ask an optician to measure and record a confused elder's eyeglass rx, in case they are ever lost.

Monitor: Monitor for pressure wounds. Risk factors include thin person and skin, friction, moisture, pressure.

Its: Its not a myth, but more the truth. It is rewarding! our elders are our history/foundation.

Desk: Desk lamps, hand magnifiers and large print books are simple solutions to partial sight.

Do: Do speak to elders against a wall or in the corner to amplify the sound. Project but do not shout.

Treat: Treat them as kids take care and listen to them with patience and see the magic.

A: A happy and healthy caregiver takes care of elderly person better, so give some time to yourself.

Make: Make sure you are communicating clearly; never treat an elder as a child.

The: The elderly may be slower ; have memory loss, but they are not children. Do not treat them like kids.

Ignore: Know their limits but don't limit them... Let them do what they enjoy as long as it is safe!

Don't: Don't forget u will be old some day. Be kind, thoughtful and care 4 ur elders, ur kids learn from u.

Ignore: Help them brush, preferably with an electric toothbrush, and don't forget to help them floss nightly.

Ignore: It may not be dull or boring. If you try to ask that person about his life, you could learn a lot!

Ignore: Do encourage them to do what they can for themselves. Do not make them more dependent on you than isnecessary.

Ignore: If they are a parent, be patient and loving towards them as they were towards you as a child. Remember, you our next in line. .

Ignore: Do make a safe home environment to prevent falls. Remove loose rugs floor cords.

Ignore: It is helpful to monitor medications closely- either use pill case or give them the meds directly.

Ignore: Elders should stay acctive- they should not just be made to sit around. Being active is good.

Ignore: Do not ignore sudden changes in mental status. It may suggest infection or other problem.

It: It starts at home. But doesn't end there. Know what you can handle.

Ignore: Do accept or hire help from others. Make time for self-care every day, at least an hour!

Ignore: Kindness is listening to their story, sharing a meal regularly. We do better when we are not lonely.

Ignore: Compassion, listen 2 what they say, b conversant, read between the lines, b supportive ; gentle.

Ignore: Be sure to take care of yourself as well as the one you are caring for.

Ignore: Be very patient. Don't get frustrated if the elder patient is slow.Be positive and have good humor.

Ignore: Frustrated? "just breathe. Sometimes you're only a few breaths away from feeling better."amy pelhler.

Ignore: Support them no change of room or house environment no benzodiazepines.

Ignore: Elderly people are like kids a kind and soft approach is very good and good listening skill.

Ignore: Do give them as much autonomy as possible.

Ignore: Fall prevention is very important in caring for the elderly.

Ignore: Watch closely when changing position, small bites when eating, check skin daily if bed bound.

Ignore: A fall is not just a fall. Deeper evaluation is needed to avoid further complications.

Ignore: *Always keep an up to date list of all medications. *love them. Depression is common among elderly.

Ignore: Be kind to the elderly, remember you're not getting any younger. Listen and talk to them.

Ignore: Make sure they are well hydrated and get daily exercise. Being sedentary can go downhill fast.

Ignore: Regular visits with geriatrician or primary care physician important in prevention & early diagnosis.