American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [142]
If the person is confined to bed or cannot get to a bathroom quickly, leave a container (such as a bowl or dishpan) at the bedside for him or her to vomit into. Some people want to be left alone when vomiting, while others find it comforting to have someone with them. If the person finds it reassuring, hold his or her forehead while he or she is vomiting. After the person has vomited, offer some water to rinse out his or her mouth and a bowl to spit into. Then gently wipe off his or her face using cool or lukewarm water.
As soon as the nausea ends, give sips of water, tea, ginger ale, broth, or fruit drinks to replace lost body fluids. Unless told to do so by the doctor, do not give the person solid food for several hours after he or she has stopped vomiting, and then give something that won’t upset his or her stomach (such as gelatin).
Memory Problems
People of all ages can forget to call a relative on his or her birthday or leave some of the ingredients out of a favorite recipe. These types of memory problems are normal and do not interfere with the ability to function. More serious memory problems sometimes accompany aging. When an older person realizes that his or her memory is not as good as it once was, he or she may begin to feel apprehensive, fearful, and anxious. Forgetfulness may cause an older person to assume that he or she is developing dementia (see page 689) or Alzheimer’s disease (see page 688). Reassure the person, and try the following strategies to help him or her remember better:
• Make signs to remind the person to do things such as take medication, turn off the stove, or lock the doors. Place the signs in a visible location. Put signs along the way to the bathroom, with a sign that reads “BATHROOM” attached to the bathroom door.
• Give the person a large calendar with large numbers to help him or her keep track of dates and events by checking off each day of the week.
• Circle dates on the calendar as a reminder of important appointments and dates.
• Provide clocks with large, easy-to-read numbers to help the person stay time-oriented.
• Follow a regular mealtime schedule; people with memory problems often forget to eat.
• Post a daily checklist on the refrigerator door to remind the person of the things he or she needs to do.
• Place items to bring upstairs near the foot of the stairs (but never on the stairs).
• Place items to be taken along on outings near the front door.
• Label boxes with their contents so the person will know at a glance what is inside.
• Store items such as keys, eyeglasses, and medications in the same place (and be sure to always return them to their proper place) so they are easy to find when needed.
• If the person is disoriented, have him or her wear an identification bracelet at all times. It should list the person’s name, address, and telephone number. This identification will be helpful if he or she wanders away or becomes lost.
If the person’s memory problems begin to interfere with day-to-day living, he or she should be examined by a doctor who has experience diagnosing and treating people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Reducing the Risks of Immobility
Many people who are confined to bed develop health problems from immobility. Because of the potential risk of problems with circulation, breathing, and muscle stiffness, a person who can get out of bed needs to do so regularly.
Increasing Circulation
Immobility decreases a person’s heart output, or circulation, increasing his or her chances of developing blood clots. A person’s heart rate, or pulse, is a good indicator of how well his or her cardiovascular system can handle being out of bed.
If the person’s heart rate is between 50 and 100 beats per minute when out of bed and sitting in