St.

Francis Parochial School

Talisay, Camarines Norte
Technology and Livelihood Education 10
3rd Quarter, WEEK 10 Module 1

Name: ______________________________ Date: ____________

Year/Section: ________________________ Score: ___________

Topic: Caregiving
Time Frame: Lesson for two weeks

I. Introduction:
Have you ever experienced taking care of your grand mother or grand father or an
elderly relative? Bathing, feeding and giving medications, or taking body temperature? If
you have, and have found the experience worthwhile and interesting, then caregiving is the
right career for you.
Being a home caregiver is a beginning opportunity to have your skills in taking care of
elderly persons.

II. Competency:
 Providing care and support to elderly persons
III. Specific Objectives:
1. Discussion of providing health care and support for elderly people.
2. Demonstrate examples of providing assistance with the elderly’s personal care.
3. Explain the importance of providing good care for the elderly people.

IV. Lesson Input:

A. Open and read your T.L.E. 10 Book on pages 217 – 231 for your references in this lesson.

Establishing and Maintaining an Appropriate Relationship with the Elderly.

The develop tasks of old age relate more to the individual’s personal life than to the lives of
others. Elderly people are expected to adjust to decreasing strength and gradually failing health. This
often means marked revisions in the roles they have played in the home and outside. They are also
expected to find activities to replace the work that consumed a major part of their time when they were
younger.
Meeting social and civic obligation is difficult for many elder people as their health fails and as
their income is reduced by retirement. As a result, they are often forced to become socially inactive.
Failing health and reduced income likewise require the establishment of new living arrangements which
are often radically different from those of their earlier years.
With grown child being involved in their own family affairs. The elderly people cannot expect
more time with their companionship. This means that they must establish affiliations with members of
their own age group if they are to avoid the loneliness that upset the elderly people.
Some elderly people feel useless and unwanted, they develop feelings of inferiority and
resentment-feelings that are not conducive to good personal and social adjustments.
Respect the decision of the patient or elderly person to keep some of his/her personal
conditions or things private or confidential.

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Rights of the Elderly People:
1. Right to be protected, and to safeguard his/her strength and weaknesses.
2. Freedom to make decision about his/her own life.
3. Right to be given quality care.
4. Right to be in a safe and healthy environment.
5. Right to worship, according to his/her religious belief.

In home care, the elderly person or patient feels secured and private; members of the family can
give full attention without restriction on visitors. The manner of giving care is more personal, with love
and concern. Home caregiving encourages a patient to feel competent and independent in making
decisions for himself/herself.
Basic psychological needs of an elderly include the following: the need to be esteemed, the need to
be valued, accepted and recognized as an individual, and the need for security and privacy. One can help
maintain the person’s self-esteem by encouraging as much as possible his/her independence and by
using his/her proper name and title. There are some elderly people who feel annoyed and humiliated by
being referred to us as “grannies” in such cases, there is a need to adjust your approach, take into
account the person’s age, background, physical, and mental condition and depending on how will you
know him her.
The caregiver should be good in conversing with the elderly persons, giving the latter a chance to
express out his/her feelings. Talking about experiences and other interesting topics help the
patient/elderly person feel that he/she has someone to talk to – a friend or a companion. The caregiver
should avoid conversation about bad and unpleasant experiences of the elder person or the patient so
that he/she would not be depressed. In conversing with the elderly persons, the caregiver should be
more of listener than a talker. He/she should make the conversation as pleasant as possible but never
let the elderly person/patient be tired due to long conversation.

Providing Appropriate Support to the Elderly People

Every person has basic human needs; and the elderly person has the right to be provided with
all the care and support including their interest in recreational activities.
Elderly men and women tend to remain interested in the recreational activities they enjoyed in
early adulthood, and they change these interests only when necessary. Changes consist mainly of a
gradual narrowing down of interests, rather than a radical change in patter, and shift toward more
sedentary form of recreation. Some changes in recreational activities are made as a result of necessity,
not by choice.

Common Condition Responsibility for Chances in Recreational Activities are:

1. Health – as health gradually fails and as physical disabilities such as poor eyesight set in, the
individual requires an interest in recreational activities that requires minimum strength and
energy and can be enjoyed at home.
2. Economic status – reduced income after retirement may force the cutting down on, or
elimination of recreational activities, such as going to the movies, that costs money.
3. Education – the more formal education the person has, the more intellectual recreational
activities, such as reading should be cultivated. Because this requires little energy, it can be
enjoyed in old age.
4. Marital status – elderly people who have been accustomed to engaging recreations with their
spouses must make radical changes in their pattern after the loss of a spouse. When he/she left
alone, he/she may have to cultivate new recreational interest.

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 5. Living conditions – elderly person who lived in the home for the aged have recreations provided
for them that are suited for their physical and mental activities. Those who lived in their homes
or with a married child have fewer activities for recreation, especially if their economic status is
poor or if failing health or transportation problems prevent them from participating in
community-sponsored recreation activities.
Recreations covers any activity that is found to be refreshing and renewing. Recreation must be
carefully planned and designed to suit the elderly person’s need. This will depend on the elderlies age
and sex, as well as his/her health. It is important to know his/her interest and what facilities available for
him/her.
Common recreational activities of older people include reading, writing letters, listening to the radio,
watching television, visiting friends and relatives, playing cards, going to theater and movies. Radio and
television demand no physical activity and every effort should be made to avoid interrupting the elder
person during his/her favorite programs. There also older people who loved music and so a record
player should be made available. Others are basketball, football or boxing fanatics. Some find comfort in
participating in broadcast religious services; others take part in civic, political and spiritual activities. As
health condition permits, some elderly people even join cultural and educational activities.
With their advancing age, most people suffer from increasing social loss of social disengagement a
process of mutual withdrawal of the aged from the social environment. This is expressed m a narrowing
down of the sources of social contact and a decline in social participation.
Women, as a rule, retain friendships longer than men, mainly because their friends, for the most
part. come from the neighborhoods, while the men’s friends are largely work associates who lived in
different areas and who are not brought together by their common interest in work after retirement
Many retired men are forced to rely on their wives for companionship and to play “homebody’ roles.
The elderly person can participate in social activities like visiting friends, joining tours, playing
mahjong with friends, attending social gatherings, or family gatherings except when such obstacles as
poor health, economic privations, or family responsibilities prevent them from doing so.
Although it is popularly believed that people turn to religion as life draws to a close, there is little
evidence to support this belief. While elderly people become more religious as death approaches, or if
they are seriously disabled. The average elderly person does not necessarily disable. The average elderly
person does not necessarily turn to religion in the sense that it become a new interest or a new focal
point of attention. Most elderly people carry on the religious beliefs and habits formed earlier in life.
They usually join different religious organization and attend different spiritual activities.
The attitude of most older people towards religion is probably most often that which they grew up
or which they have accepted as they achieved intellectual maturity. Women continue to participate in
church activities more than men do because of the opportunities they offer to social contacts. Whatever
the reasons for interest in religion, attendance at church and participation in religious organizations,
there is evidence that these contribute to good adjustment in old age.

Providing Assistance to the Elderly People to Maintain Safe and Healthy Environment
An elderly person or patient cannot select his/her environment unlike healthy people who can
choose their own safe place. Hence, he/she is not in a position to make adjustments or go elsewhere
because of danger and discomfort. He/She has to depend upon others to provide a safe immediate
environment. Whether confined in bed at home or in the hospital, his/her surroundings is of great value
to him/her. The general atmosphere of the room is crucial to the elderly person/patient’s comfort and
recovery.
The location of the room must be in a safe environment especially if the movement of the
elderly person is restricted. The room should be immaculately clean. An elderly person has a low body
resistance to infections and diseases. It is essential to keep the room free from pathogenic organisms or

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germs which may aggravate their health. The room must be comfortable, well-ventilated, and well-
lighted. It must be conducive to rest and relaxation. It should be aired once or twice a day, open the
window to allow fresh air to enter. Place the bed near the window if there is a garden outside. Curtains
and windows hold control on the amount of light entering the room and these provide privacy. A quiet
room gives the elderly person time to rest his/her mind and should be of considerable distance from
noisy street. To a sick elderly person, every sound is magnified and can cause headache or irritability.
The radio and television receiver should be timed down. Too many visitors can be tiring. Limit the
number of visitors and the length of their stay, but be tactful about this.
The location and furniture of the room should be considered for the elderly’s well-being and
convenience for the caregiver. It is better to have a room at the first floor with a toilet or near the toilet.
The bed must be firm, the mattress must not be sagging and must support the soft parts of the body.
The room should have plenty of space around the bed for facility in movement and placement of
essential equipment. The room needs a table drawer within the reach of the elderly or sick person from
the bed. The bedside table must have a lamp with light of moderation brightness. An armchair is needed
for placing the bed linen or for visitor use. Always have a clear pathway between the bed and the door
or between the bed and the toilet (if there is any) to avoid any body tripping over. For a bath, have a
ready chair or stool which the elderly person or patient may use.
Orderliness in the room is a must. It means that needed articles are placed in their proper
places. Things needed by the elderly person or patient must be within his/her reach so that he/she will
not lose his/her balance or fall off from the bed. Never leave unnecessary objects beside the table
except those that will not cause accidents. Remove medicines on the table. The elderly person or patient
may repeat the dosage, forgetting he/she has already taken the same. Medicines are placed in a safe
place separate from other things. It should be labeled properly. If possible, note the prescribed time
when to take them.

Providing Assistance with the Elderly’s Personal Care

Taking care of an elderly person requires accurate and intelligent decision-making for caregiver.
One of the most important tasks as a caregiver is to attend to the elderly’s comfort. It is important to
analyze the extent of help needed by an elderly person to attend to his/her personal routines.

Below are the activities in which they may require assistance:

1. Assistance in washing and bathing - if the person is mobile enough, he/she can bathe in the
bathroom with the help of bathing aids, If he/she is confined in bed, he/she can bathe in the
bed. A daily bath is ideal, though it is important as well to check how often he/she normally
bathe. Some elderly are nervous of bathing. In this case, a good washing can be just as
adequate. When bathing in the bathroom, make sure the bathroom is warm and the windows
are closed. Gather together soap, washcloths, towels, talcum powder, and any clean clothes
that may be needed. The caregiver may offer him/ her help with getting in and out of the
bathroom. Persons who need a lot of help should use a bath seat. Bear in mind that, the elderly
needs to work at other times. Washing his/her hands and face often refreshes a person and
makes him/her comfortable. He/She should also wash hands after using a bedpan or commode,
or after going to the lavatory.
2. Shaving - a man who shaves regularly will find it uncomfortable and embarrassing when stubble
grows. If he is unable to shave himself, then the Caregiver must do it for him. The caregiver must
first assess the person's condition and judge how much help he needs. Ask him what kind of
razor he normally uses and find out in which direction he shaves because the bristles grow
according to the direction of shaving. Going against the normal may causes pulling and soreness.

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3. Caring for the nails - the caregiver will notice if the person’s nails need attention while bathing
him/her. A nail brush is used to keep the nails clean and should be cut regularly. The fingernails
should be cut or filed to the shape of the finger, while toenails should be cut straight across. It is
common for elderly to have very hard and thick nails. The help of a podiatrist is invaluable in
these cases.
4. Caring for the eyes - in normal health, the eyes are kept moist and clean by an imperceptible
film of fluid, which flows across the eyeball and drains into the nose. During illness, the eyes
may become dry, sore, and even infected. if this happens, you must bathe the eyes to keep
them clean. Help the person into a comfortable position and tell him/her what you are going to
do. Wash your hands, arrange the towel under his/her face. Dip soap into the water or saline
solution, squeeze it gently, and swab the eyes from the nose outwards. Discard the swab.
Repeat the procedure until both eyes are clean. Dry the surrounding skin with clean, dry swabs.
Use each swab once only. This is important in order to prevent cross infection.
5. Caring for the mouth - food particles left in the mouth after each meal begin to decompose if
not washed and cleaned. Harmful bacteria will flourish and multiply having an unpleasant taste
and feeling in the mouth. These bacteria can cause tooth decay or mouth infections. The healthy
person cleans his/her teeth regularly. Patients confined to bed are unable to care for their
mouth without assistance. In these cases, the caregiver has to provide them with the means to
clean their teeth at regular intervals. In the case of a child, get him/her the habit of cleaning
his/her teeth twice a day. Try and restrict his/her intake of sticky and sweet food.
6. Caring for the hair - Elderly ill or disabled people find it enjoyable when they go to a barber shop
or salon for a haircut or shampoo. They find it refreshing to keep hair short in an easy-care style.
If you find it difficult to wash hair in a tub or shower, you can use the kitchen sink. Brush and
comb the hair at least twice a day and arrange it in a simple style that is easy to manage and
pleases the person. Check the hair if it is not infected with lice. Lice multiply quickly by laying
eggs. The eggs are called nits and stick to strands of hair. Lice can spread from one person to
another, especially in crowded conditions. Ask the other members of the family for permission
to examine their heads. Once you found an infected head, treat the condition, then examine
their hair regularly to check that there is no recurrence.
7. Choice of clothing - choice of clothing is a very personal thing. Let a person who has some level
of confusion, arranged two or three choices of clothes and let him choose what to wear. if
illness or disability makes it necessary to adapt clothing for a specific need, most people
appreciate help. The caregiver should also know what special clothing is available for his/her
particular disability. In helping the person select the right clothing for his/her condition, tact is
just as important as the choices itself. Be careful not to cause embarrassment by suggesting
items which are out of the person's personal choices.
8. Dressing and undressing - it is wise to encourage the person to do as much for himself/herself as
he/she can. This may be a lengthy process if he/she is blind, has lost a limb or is paralyzed as a
result of an injury or stroke. Dressing and undressing are an important part of the elder‘s days.
Every achievement is a step towards independence. Allow the person plenty of time for dressing
and undressing and encourage him/her to rest at intervals.
9. Eating and drinking - food and drink are necessary to life and health. Everyone enjoys good food
attractively served and gives a great deal of pleasure. Even the sick person whose appetite is not
great will often respond to the right kinds of food served to him/her in the right quantity and at
the right time. The caregiver should understand the basic principles of good nutrition. He/she
should know the basic nutrients needed in a balanced diet and in what food they are found. If
the caregiver is concerned with preparing and serving food to an elderly person, this knowledge
will help him/her to prepare balanced meals according to their needs. If the meals are presented

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 attractively so they look appetizing, then the caregiver has a good chance of overcoming any
reluctance of the elderly to eat caused by the loss of appetite. The nutrients in food are used by
the body –
a. to provide energy movement
b. to provide heat so that the body temperature remain stable
c. to provide for normal growth
d. to replace cells as they wear out or are destroyed by illness
It is important for everyone to get enough fluids each day. Adults need at least 6 to 8 glasses
of fluids each day in different forms such as water, fruits, vegetables, juices, milk, and soups. The
kidneys of an older person may need more fluids to function properly if he/she is taking some
medications that can dehydrate a person.
10. Comfort and mobility - helping the person to move and maintain a comfortable position Is one
of the most important tasks of a caregiver, If the person Is unable to move or if his/her
movements are restricted, it is up to the caregiver to choose the most suitable position in bed
for him/her. The caregiver should know how to lift and move him/her without causing him/her
any pain and without straining the caregivers back. The elderly who gets up and moves around
should be encouraged to do so, but do not forget that even the relatively mobile person may
need help. Many patients recovering from a serious illness or an operation need help at first
with walking and moving about. Elderly person may also need help to a greater or lesser degree,
like the paralyzed and handicapped. It is important to try and judge how much help the
individual person needs, and to make it possible to him/her without making him/her more
dependent than necessary. Whenever an elderly needs to be moved, the caregiver must think
carefully about both the needs of the elderly and of his/her own needs.

Listening to the Elderly’s Preference to Maximize His/Her Well-being

Several basic principles of home caregiving should be observed in the handling of an elderly
person. The first is hygiene. This is important to protect the elderly and the caregiver from infection.
Washing one’s hands before and after tending the elderly reduces the spread of bacteria.
The attitude of those around the elderly has a decided effect on his/her well-being. A cheerful
attitude encourages and supports the elderly and promotes his/her cooperation. It is also important to
encourage the elderly to express his/her feelings about his/her care and about receiving help from
others. It is difficult to be so dependent on others when one is sick or disabled. Listening to what the
elderly says about that dependency and the type of care he/she would like to have, enables the home
caregiver to understand what the elderly is feeling. With this knowledge, the caregiver can be
sympathetic and tolerant when the elderly seems demanding and uncooperative. Being open to the
elderly’s choices concerning his/her care, asking him/her when he/she would like to wake up in the
morning, how to do his/her exercises, being flexible enough to accept his/her choices, and resourceful
enough to incorporate them cheerfully into the daily routine, all of these form significant parts of home
care.

Providing Assistance with the Elderly’s Personal Needs

A working knowledge of the characteristics of the elderly provides the basis for working with
them satisfactorily. Acquisition of functional information and skills in handling the physical and
emotional needs of the elderly and those with disabilities prepare one to assume the responsibilities of
caring for them effectively.

Characteristics of the Aged Person

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 1. Changes in appearance - seen in the head, trunk, and limbs region.
2. Changes in Physiological functions - changes in the functioning of the organs, decrease
vascularity of the skin, reduced metabolic rate, and lessened muscular vigor.
3. Changes in sensory function - decline in ability to see, hear, smell; marked changes In taste,
sense of touch become less as the skin becomes drier and harder; and decline in the sensitivity
to pain.
4. Decrease in mental alertness - mental decline accompany physical deterioration.
5. Changes in motor abilities - move more slowly, become awkward and clumsy, and decrease in
strength and energy.
6. Decline in social activities - less active role in social and community affairs as well as in the
business and professional world.
7. Role change - feeling useless and unwanted so they develop feelings of inferiority and
resentment.
8. Changes in interest - decrease in personal interest, self and appearance, clothes and in money.

In addressing the concerns and needs of the elderly, it is important to assess how much
assistance they need and make the help available without encouraging needless dependence. The
caregiver should help the elderly be as independent as his/her health permits. Involving the elderly in
his/her own care reassures him that he/she is in control of his/her own life. This is important when
much of his/her physical life may be severely altered or limited. If the elderly is unable to participate in
his/her own care, the caregiver can help him exert some control over his/her life by mutually arranging
procedures which reflects the elderly’s wishes regarding his/her care. This perspective is best achieved
at home, where the elderly can gain confidence in his/her physical and mental abilities and learn to cope
with the limitations of his/her condition.

Basic Needs of an Aged Person:

1. To be in safe environment
2. To move and maintain a comfortable position
3. To keep his/her body clean and well-groomed and protect his/her skin
4. To select suitable clothing and dress and undress
5. To eat and drink adequately
6. To eliminate regularly
7. To sleep and rest
8. To maintain normal body temperature
9. To breathe normally
10. To communicate with others and express emotions, needs, and fears
11. To work at something that provides a sense of accomplishment
12. To play or Participate in various forms of recreation
13. To learn, discover or satisfy the curiosity that is part of normal development and health
14. To worship according to his/her faith

Appropriate Assistive Devices for Providing Assistance to the Elderly

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1. Aids to Bathing
a. A handrail or a bath seat may help a frail or elderly person to bathe alone. For a heavy
disabled patient, a hoist can be used. This is a device to lift people into the bath. The Correct
type must be recommended by a competent therapist who will also teach how to operate it.
Bath seats help a person who finds it hard to get down to the bottom of the bath.

b. A non-slip mat placed in the bath is held firm by suction pads.

c. The elderly who find it hard to sit down in the bath may prefer a shower with a seat or a
shower attachment.

2. Aids to Dressing
a. An elderly person who is weak or arthritic can continue
dressing by using a dressing stick made from an old
coat hanger. The V-notch pulls straps over the
shoulder; the rubber thimble clings to
fabrics.

b. A stocking aid has a plastic frame and the stocking is slipped over it. This allows
the toes to be inserted while the handle enables stocking and the frame to be
pulled up the leg.

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 c. The long-handled shoehorn helps people who cannot bend down to
their feet.

d. The Reacher performs the same function as regular reachers but is of

adjustable length. It has a mechanism at the top of the handle, which
operate the jaws at the bottom.

3. Aids to Eating and Drinking

a. A person who only uses one arm may find a deep bowl
helpful or a plate guard especially when these are used
with a combined knife and fork or a pusher spoon.

b. For a person with arthritic hands, light but thick handled cutlery is easier to grasp It can be
improvised by padding ordinary cutlery with foam rubber,

c. A spike board makes Possible for someone with the use of only one hand to butter bread of
peel potatoes.

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 d. Far people without the strength to open stiff jar lids, special gadgets exist which only
requires e little pressure.
e. For e feeding cup for a helpless patient, you may improvise with a baby s feeding cp. @
teapot, or a glass with an angled straw.
f. A non-slip tray with a handle makes It possible for a frail
person with the use of one arm to carry several items at
once without spilling everything

4. Aids to Waste Elimination

a. Raised toilet seats and toilet risers raise the height of the toilet seat, like a raised plastic
toilet seat; a removal arm and hand support; and a strong well-mounted handrail.
5. Aide to Mouth Care
a. Make the handle bigger with a sponge, rubber ball or adhesive tape for a person who has
difficulty grasping a toothbrush.
b. It is easier to use an electric toothbrush than a normal brush.

6. Aids that Can Help with Transfer

a. Transfer belt is placed around the patient's waist to help him transfer or walk. It is made of
sturdy webbing with a buckle on it. A regular belt with a clasp will also do.
b. Transfer board is used to slide a patient from one place to another. It Is good for a patient
who could use his/her arms to move quickly from one side to the other.
c. Lift cushions Is a powered recliner that can lift and tilt forward. It helps a patient to stand
easily and lower himself/herself Into a seated position.
d. Lift chairs is a portable device placed on the seat of a chair and can function thus the use of
electricity or air compressor. This will help a patient with lesser, upper and lower body
strength to gently put himself/herself into a chair and help him/her when standing.
7. Aids to Comfort in Bed
When a person Is sitting up his/her back needs to be supported, and a backrest reduces the
pillows required –
1. A backrest can be improvised by using a kitchen chair in conjunction with pillows.
2. The standard backrest is widely available for use in the home.
3. A triangular pillow offers excellent support and is much appreciated by sufferers from
backache.
4. A backrest which looks like the back of a sofa chair with arms provides extra support for the
arms.
c. It is necessary to support the person's feet to prevent him/her from skipping down the bed.
In a long illness, a foot support is also used to keep the foot at right angles to the leg. A soft
footrest can either be a bolster or a pillow wrapped in a sheet.
d. Orthopedic boards - persons with back problems find it difficult to lie comfortably on a soft
bed. The bed can be rigid by one long board, or a series of boards, placed across the base
under the mattress.
8. Aids to Walking
a. A cane with a rubber tip is ideal for an elderly who only need a little support or a boost to
confidence.
b. The use of walker is ideal for someone who has to support some of his/her weight on
his/her hands.

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 c. Tripods and quadrupeds are adjustable in height. They provide balanced support for those
who need it.
d. In a case of permanent disability or condition such as breathlessness. It may be possible
to install a stair lift which the person can stand or sit to ride up and down the stair.
e. The wheelchair is used by disabled person. A temporarily incapacitated person or a frail
elderly person may have to use it for a while.

9. Aid to incontinent
a. Urinals for men are used at night when the patient cannot be moved.

Female urinals are small and light. They can be slipped between a patient's legs without her
hips needing to be raised off the bed.
b. Fitted Incontinence pants are made of a soft material with @ waterproof pouch on the
outside and suitable for men and women. The urine passes straight through the pants to be
absorb ad placed in the pouch, so leaving the skin dry.
c. Stretch incontinence pants are light, open stretch Pants designed to fit any patient. Across
the pants are two woven - in blue bands which hold a plastic backed pad firmly in place,
These pants can be used at night.
d. Under-pads are made of layers of absorbent material backed by waterproof material. Pads
are especially used at night.
e. The protective sheet is a waterproof sheet to cover the mattress. It should be placed
beneath the bottom sheet, and securely tucked around the bed to completely protect it
against moisture. The sheet may be left for 12 hours. It never feels really wet, just dump
when saturated. It looks and feels pleasant and can be frequently laundered.
f. A catheter may be used to give the patient more independence it may be inserted into the
bladder and left in position. The urine drains into a bag strapped to the leg or supported by
a wrist belt. The bag is emptied periodically.

10. Aids for Fall Prevention

a. Slippers that are not slippery
b. Stainless bars in bathrooms to provide support and stability
c. Wheelchair with anti-roll back device to stop it from rolling away when the patient stands or
sits into the chair
d. Floor mats with anti-slip material on the bottom
e. In the event of a fall, a hip protector is necessary to protect the hips from injury
f. Cushions are also important in case a patient rolls out of bed. These are placed at the side of
a bed.
g. Alarm to signal when the patient leaves a bed, wheelchair, or toilet unattended
Attending to the Elderly's Personal Hygiene
Hygiene refers to the process of making oneself clean and healthy It Is also what keeps and
promotes the health of people around you.
In giving care to the elderly, the caregiver must be constantly alert to the need for cleanliness.
The elderly’s environment should always be cleaned, because old people have low body resistance to
Infection The room must be comfortable, well ventilated and wall lighted it must be conducive to rest
and relaxation.

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 The care giver has the responsibility to attend to the personal hygiene of the older person in
order to make him/her feel comfortable, The proper hygienic living has an effect upon the body itself
and on the personality of the person.
Hygiene includes many good benefits:
1. Always keep oneself clean and presentable
2. Having a good night sleep (7 to 8 hours sleep)
3. Eating a well-balanced diet
4. Taking a bath daily
5. Wash hand frequently especially when taking food
6. Brush teeth and floss dally
7. Regular dental check-up
8. Having a regular elimination
9. Exercise dally to keep oneself fit

The caregiver must attend to the personal necessities of the elderly. Although personal care is
personal, the caregiver must assist the elderly person in doing his/her personal activities. Use as much
as possible the same routines he/she is used to.

Personal necessities cover the following:

1. A daily bath is ideal. It serves many purposes for the person. It cleans the skin, stimulates
circulation of the blood and provides movement and exercise.
2. Proper care of the skin is by means of cleansing baths, cream, and oils. A clean skin has a self-
disinfecting power while dirty skin harbors bacteria.
3. The face should be cleaned with tepid water and bath soap daily.
4. The hair should be washed or shampooed at least once a week with plenty of water. The scalp
needs vigorous rubbing so as to remove dirt. Both the hair and scalp should be dried
immediately by rubbing with a clean towel.
5. Keeping the hands clean is indeed a problem as no other part of the body come frequently in
contact with infective organisms. So, wash the hands with soap and water after going to the
toilet, before eating, or handling food and every time they become dirty.
6. Laundering - laundry can be done daily or weekly or on schedule. Before doing the laundry, the
caregiver should segregate items according to colors and by delicate materials. When the
clothing is already dry, iron, fold and place them in their proper drawer or closet.

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 V. Learning Activity:

Name: _________________________ Year/Section: _________________

Match column A with column B. Write the letters of your answers on the space before each number.

A B

_____ 1. The act of taking care and giving support to a. hygiene

an elderly. b. dressing stick
_____ 2. The process of making oneself clean and healthy. c. transfer belt
_____ 3. A bathing aid may help an elderly to bathe alone d. long handled shoe horn
aside from a bath seat e. caregiving
_____ 4. A bath aid placed on the floor and held firm by a f. deep bowl
suction pad g. walker
_____ 5. A dressing aid made from an old coat hanger
_____ 6. A dressing aid for people who cannot bend down h. handrail
to their feet
_____ 7. Aid in eating using only one arm with a combined i. cane
knife and fork
_____ 8. Eating aid to butter bread using only one arm j. spiked board
_____ 9. Aid with a handle to carry several items without
spilling anything using only one arm
_____ 10. Elimination aid especially helpful during the night
_____ 11. Elimination aid which may be needed if the person k. non-slip mat
can not get out of bed.
_____ 12. Mouth aid easier to manage than a normal brush l. bed pans and urinals
_____13. A transfer aid made of sturdy webbing or twill m. non-slip tray
_____ 14. Aid to walking with a rubber tip ideal for an elderly n. electronic
toothbrush who only need little support 0. commodes
_____ 15. Aid to walking ideal for someone who has to support
some of his/her weight on his/her hands

VI. Assessment:

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Explain
1. Why is home care important to some elderly people?
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2. How can an elderly participate in social activities?
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Prepared by:
Jayson D. Quierra
T.L.E. Teacher

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