This document provides guidance on caring for the ill, elderly, and sick family members. It discusses making patients comfortable, preparing appropriate diets, observing signs of illness, and taking vital signs until the doctor arrives. It also outlines differences in caring for the elderly, such as their decreased activity levels and increased sensitivity. Guidelines for elder care include ensuring nutritious food and diets, providing a quiet living space, showing affection, being thoughtful with gifts, and using humor.

1. Caring For the Ill,
the Elderly,
and Other Members
Preparedby:
LoyolaBernardineCollado

2. When Someone gets sick in the
family, it is important to know
1.Howtomakethepatient
comfortable
2.Whatdiettoprepare
3.Whattodowhilethedoctor
hasnotarrived

3. Making the patient comfortable
1.Providelooseandcomfortableclothing.Loose
cottonsarepreferabletootherfabrics.Theygive
warmthandcomforttowearer.
2. Placethepatientinaquietplace,clean,and
orderlyroom.Childrenshouldbekeptawayfromthe
sick.Moderatelightning,properventilation,andalot
offreshairareneeded.

4. Making the patient comfortable
3.Provide enoughattentionandencouragementto
cheerupthepatient.Tellhumorousstories.Fresh
flowershelpcheeruptheatmosphere.
4.Cleanandcomfortablebeddingsaddfluffthe
pillowswhenneeded.

5. Preparing the diet of a sick
person
1.Followthedoctor’sorderonwhatdiettoprepare.
2.Choosefoodsprescribedbythedoctor.
3.Cookthefoodthewaythepatientslikesit.
4.Encouragethepatienttoeat.Dietalwaysposesa
problembecauseillpersonsdonothavetheappetite
toeat.

6. Preparing the diet of a sick
person
5.Placefoodattractivelyonatray.Itmayencouragethe
patienttoeat.
6.Servefoodsthatconsistmostlyosoft-boiledorhardboiled
eggs,biscuits,milk,fruitsandfruitjuices,boiledandsoft-
cookedrice,fishusuallybroiledandboiledvegetables.
7.Followwhatthedoctorrecommended–liquid,soft,or
lightdependingontheillness.

7. While the doctor has not arrived:
1.Askthepatientwhathefeels.Istherepain?Where?
2.Takehistemperature.Shakethethermometertobring
downthemercury.Wipeitwithalcohol.Placeitunderhis
tongueandletitstaythereforatleast3minutes.Removeit,
thenreadthenumberwherethemercurystops.Record.
*Theseobservationscanhelpthedoctorindiagnosingthe
patient.

8. After the doctor has seen the
patient
1.Keephimcomfortable.Ifhefeelscold,givehimawarm
blanket.Ifhehasafever,givehimclothing.
2.Keepthepatientclean.Givehimaspongebath.Changehis
clothing;keephisbeddingsclean.
3.Inalmostalltypesofillness,sufficientliquidsuchaswater,
fruitjuice,tea,orsoupisgoodforthepatient.Givehimplenty
ofthis.

9. Somesignsofillnessarerednessor
palenessoftheskin,pain,dizziness,
nausea,weaknessofthesenses,
listlessness,headache,coughing,lack
ofappetite,sleeplessness,and
irritability.

10. Signs of serious illness are:
1.Hemorrhageorcontinuousflowofblood
2.Continuousvomiting
3.Difficultyinbreathing
4.Weakening
5.Diarrhea
6.Continuouspaininthestomach

11. Signs of serious illness are:
7.Highfeverthatruns4to5days
8.Patientbecomingthin
9.Bloodintheurine
10.Woundsthatdonotheal
11.Patientcannottakeinliquid
12.Changeinthecolorofskinandeyes

12. Taking Care
of the Elderly

13. Oneofthemostimportantculturalvalues
oftheFilipinosisrespectforelders.Itisalso
takingcareofthemuntiltheygetold.This
isonebeautifulcustomthatisstillpracticed
inmanyFilipinohomeswherethefamilyis
ofextendedtype.

14. Takingcareoftheelderlyincludes
takingcareofthelolaandloloor
youngmotherandfatherwhenthey
growold.Thisisasignofloveand
respect.Itisalsoasignofclosefamily
ties.

15. Being old is different from being
young in a lot of ways:
1.Beingoldmakesyoulessactivebecausethebody
tendstobeweakasyearspassby.Hence,oldpeople
becomelessactivethanyoungones.
2.Whenthebodyisnotasyoungandactiveas
before,thereisatendencytoexperiencepainsome
parts.

16. Being old is different from
being young in a lot of ways:
Arthritis,forinstance,iscommonamongtheelderly.
Ingeneral,people40yearsandoverexperiencemore
illnessthanyoungerones.
3.Oldpeopletendtobemoodyortemperamental.
Thisispartlyduetowhattheyfeelandpartly
becauseofdisappointmentinnotbeingabletodo
whattheywanttodo.

17. Being old is different from
being young in a lot of ways:
4.Oldpeopletendtobeoverlysensitivetowhatotherssay,
especiallycomingfrommembersofthefamily.Thissensitivityis
partlyduetothefeelingthattheyarenotasusefulastheyhad
beentothefamily,orpartlybecausetheythinktheyarenotloved
anymore.
5.Thereisafeelingofinsecuritybroughtaboutaging.Whenone
growsold,thereisacravingforattentionandaffectionfromthe
lovedonesbecausethisgivesafeelingofbelongingness.

18. Here are some guidelines in
taking care of the elderly:
1.Beconcernedwiththeirhealth.Providefor
adequateandnutritiousfoodsuitablefortheirage.
Easytodigestfoodssuchaswell-cookedmeat,
broiledfish,nonfatmilk,freshfruitsandvegetables
givesenergy,buildstrongresistancetodisease,and
repairbodytissue.

19. Here are some guidelines in
taking care of the elderly:
2.Behelpfulinobservingdietprescribed
bythedoctorincaseofanillness.Elders
tendtoneglecttheirdiets.Helpin
observingthedietbygivingthefood
whichisallowed.

20. Here are some guidelines in
taking care of the elderly:
3.Beconsideratebyprovidingaplaceorroom
wherethereisagoodventilation,freshair,and
quiet.Thiskindofsurroundingissoothingto
thebodyandhelpsrelievepain,worries,or
tiredness.Beconsiderate,too,bykeepingquiet
whentheyarerestingorsleeping.

21. Here are some guidelines in
taking care of the elderly:
4.Beaffectionate.Showerthemwithloveandaffection.A
simple“Hello”or“Howareyou?”canbrightentheirday.
Takeafewminutestoconversewiththem abouttheday’s
events.
5.Bethoughtful.Onceinawhile,bringhomeapasalubong.
Attimesgiveaninvitationtoasnack,awalk,tovisita
relativeortoattendabirthdayparty.

22. Here are some guidelines in
taking care of the elderly:
6.Behumorous.Nothingcansetthe
moodsrightbutsomelaughter.It
takestheproblemoffyourmind,and
itgivesalightfeeling.