Preventing Bed Sores at Home

Preventing Bed Sores for Seniors at Home on Long Island: Activities and Tips

Bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers, are a common concern for seniors who spend prolonged periods in bed or have limited mobility. Preventing bed sores is essential to maintaining the health and well-being of seniors, particularly those living at home on Long Island. In this article, we will explore some preventive measures and introduce activities available in Nassau and Suffolk Counties that can help seniors maintain their mobility and reduce the risk of bed sores. Preventing Bed Sores:

Frequent Position Changes: Encourage seniors to change their position every two hours or as recommended by their healthcare provider. This helps alleviate pressure on specific areas of the body and promotes blood circulation.
Proper Nutrition: A well-balanced diet is crucial for maintaining healthy skin. Ensure that seniors receive adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals to support skin integrity and promote healing.
Adequate Hydration: Proper hydration helps maintain skin health and elasticity. Encourage seniors to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, unless otherwise advised by their healthcare provider.
Regular Exercise: Gentle exercises and movements can help improve circulation and reduce the risk of bed sores. Even simple activities like stretching, range-of-motion exercises, or seated exercises can be beneficial.

Activities on Long Island to bring senior loved ones to:

Nature Walks Long Island offers beautiful parks and nature reserves where seniors can enjoy leisurely walks amidst scenic surroundings. Places like the Sands Point Preserve in Nassau County or the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge in Suffolk County provide opportunities to engage in outdoor activities and increase mobility.
Senior Fitness Classes Many community centers and fitness facilities on Long Island offer specialized exercise programs for seniors. These classes often focus on gentle exercises, stretching, and strength training suitable for older adults. Participating in these classes not only helps prevent bed sores but also promotes overall physical fitness. Take a look at the YMCA of Long Island for some ideas near you.
Aquatic Therapy The therapeutic properties of water make aquatic exercises an excellent option for seniors. Many local pools and fitness centers offer aquatic therapy or water aerobics classes designed specifically for older adults. These low-impact activities can help seniors improve mobility, strengthen muscles, and reduce the risk of bed sores. One place to look at is Northwell Health Rehabilitation Network who offers aquatic therapy at the aquatic center located at Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Services (STARS) at East Meadow.
Cultural Outings Long Island is rich in cultural offerings. Seniors can visit museums, art galleries, and historical sites in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. These outings provide an opportunity to engage in light physical activity while stimulating the mind, promoting emotional well-being, and reducing the risk of bed sores. Check out these senior events through LongIsland.com.

Remember, before engaging in any physical activities, it is important for seniors to consult with their healthcare provider to ensure they are suitable for their specific needs and abilities. Preventing bed sores is crucial for seniors living at home on Long Island. By implementing preventive measures such as frequent position changes, proper nutrition, hydration, and regular exercise, seniors can reduce the risk of bed sores and maintain their overall well-being. Additionally, engaging in activities available in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, such as nature walks, senior fitness classes, aquatic therapy, and cultural outings, not only promotes mobility but also enriches the seniors’ lives. Encourage seniors to explore these opportunities and enjoy the diverse offerings on Long Island while maintaining their skin health and preventing bed sores. Contact SeniorCare Companions to see how we can assist you with senior outings.

Seniors need attention and love during the holidays, just like everyone else. Unfortunately, some people forget to visit their loved ones during the busiest times of the year.

Finding ways to take care of seniors during the holidays is extremely important. Doing so involves helping them with their physical, mental, and emotional needs. Let’s look into the ways you can take care of seniors during the holiday season.

Hire a Service

Some seniors might not be able to help themselves with different tasks such as:

Mobility to go places
Remembering important details and schedules
Assistance with motor skills

Whatever you may need, we here at Senior Care Companions can help. We offer various services to help seniors each day. You can find assistants to help them 24/7, or just a few hours of the day.

While you should help seniors when you can, you may need professional help. After all, you can’t be at their sides 24/7, so see if you can find a reliable service to look after them.

Plan Fun Activities

Seniors can face boredom during the holidays, especially if they don’t have people to spend time with them. Coming up with fun activities you can do with one another is important to their mental and emotional wellbeing. Potential activities include:

Sit down and play board games together
Enjoy holiday activities like eating or watching movies
Go for a walk through the park

Focus your attention on letting them have fun. Doing so can help you take care of them emotionally and mentally. For example, they could feel happy after the activities or thankful you thought of them.

Seniors can potentially become lonely and depressed during the holidays, so take the time to plan fun activities for them. Doing so can help them overcome the mundane and boring moments in their lives.

Prepare Them Ahead of Time

Some seniors may like to stick with their schedules. If you know seniors like this, you should prepare them before any activities. Some seniors may have health problems, so make sure you accommodate them.

You can do this in multiple ways such as:

Ensure they have a way to safely reach the areas if they have to use wheelchairs
Give them specific food if they have dietary restrictions
Show them pictures of who they’ll see at the event if they suffer from memory loss

You don’t want to worry them, so make sure you take some time to talk and prepare. This can help them understand the plan and feel comfortable during the activity.

Visit Them Regularly

Often people forget to help seniors with their mental and emotional health during the holidays. If you want to help them during the holidays, just visiting them is an easy way to make their day.

Visiting seniors can help them out in many ways:

Allows them to talk with someone
Shows them others care about their well-being
Help them with tasks or anything else they need

When you visit a senior, you can help them feel happy. You can also help them avoid feelings of loneliness or boredom if they have to live away from home. Even if you have seniors in your life who live on their own, you should visit them during the holidays.

Seniors recognize the time you take to visit them, so they’ll appreciate your efforts.

Ask Them What They Want

Sometimes, people try to make decisions for seniors, so you should communicate when possible. If you communicate with them, you can avoid some problems.

Ensure they do something they like and avoid boredom
Meet their personal needs and keep them safe
Learn more about them and their interests

These points can help you find an activity that will make the seniors happy. You don’t want to drag them to an activity they don’t like, so you need to communicate with them. That way, you can find something you’ll both enjoy.

Some people forget to remember each senior as a person. Make sure you show these seniors you care by asking them what they want. As you do so, you can form stronger relationships with them.

Final Comments

The holidays give you a great opportunity to show your love to the seniors in your life. Whether you want to help relatives in your family or the local seniors, you can make the holidays better for them.

If you want to help these seniors out, try out the ideas above. If you need assistance in taking care of the seniors in your life, reach out to Senior Care Companions.

Have any Questions? Just give us a call, we would love to help in any way.

“Quality Care You Can Trust – Since 2004”