How To Help Seniors Have A Safe Stay In Hospital

The question was how best can an elderly woman prepare for a comfortable stay in hospital and a safe recovery.

The person who raised the question was a family member and the hospital stay for knee surgery.

Giving for health begins as soon as the decision for surgery is made.

Support and encouragement from family members are important before surgery, they can help with physical and emotional support. This may mean giving up some of their time or even money.

Preparing both physically and emotionally means better health prior to surgery. Good health before surgery means quicker and fuller recovery.

A positive attitude on the part of the family member can go a long way towards to fostering hope and

After surgery, while recovering, instead of giving her flowers or a get well card, instead of a box of chocolates or some of her favourite cookies give a gift of health.

Leg surgery will affect mobility and the ability to be physically active. Remember to give gifts that can assist with mobility and daily living.

There are medical aids and supplies that will assist with daily living and for safe recovery; these can be given as wrapped gifts instead of others.

Here are some useful advice for family members and care givers on how they can contribute to the prevention of delirium. The advice are in an article in the Spec.com
Read about these below.
TheSpec - How to help seniors have a safe stay in hospital

Antidepressant Drugs May Cause Falls

In a study involving 248 nursing home residents, researchers found that the risk of residents falling was increased if they were given anti-depressant drugs. They found that the risk of falling and sustaining an injury was three times higher in residents taking the anti-depressants.

For the study researchers recorded drug use and records of falls over a two year period. The average age of the residents was 82.

One hundred and fifty-two of them suffered a total of 683 falls, 220 falls resulted in injuries such as a hip fracture or other broken bones.

As a result of the findings , researchers are asking that caution be used in prescribing anti-depressants for the elderly.

The anti-depressants called selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRI's) are frequently prescribed for dementia patients suffering from depression.

You can read more on the report.