Seniors have increased need for first aid information

Have you peeked inside a new first aid kit lately? There is pretty much something for every ailment. The kits are certainly not your basic aspirin and small bandage combo of years past. However, basic first aid is much more than a state-of-the-art kit.

And while everyone should have a working knowledge of first aid, seniors need to be especially vigilant because aging bodies are typically slowing down a bit, and may have failing eyesight and lessening agility.

Poisoning, usually associated with small children, also can be a problem for the elderly. An older person who has downsized and is living in a small space might store cleaners near food when cupboard space is limited. Adding poor eyesight into the mix can make it fairly easy to confuse the two containers, especially if they are similar in size and shape.

Should this happen, call the Poison Control Center immediately at 800-442-6305 instead of your primary care provider because the response will be faster. Getting a message to the doctor could take too long. The Poison Control Center can just type the information into a computer and instruct you on what course to take. Always follow their directions to the letter as it could save your life. Then call your doctor.

And don’t automatically vomit, because depending on the substance swallowed, more damage could be done.

Poisoning also can be caused by prescription drug overdoses. Sometimes elders forget taking their medicine, so they take it again.

To avoid these two scenarios, keep food and cleaning supplies in different cabinets and invest in a pillbox that separates each day’s dose of medicine. Also, be sure to keep a current list of all medications on hand. Paramedics will need this information in case of an emergency.

Another problem is choking because the motion of aging digestive tracks slow with age, so consequently swallowing the food takes longer.

Cutting up food, especially meat products, into small pieces; making sure dentures are secure; eating slowly and chewing each bite thoroughly before swallowing can help prevent choking.

Both elderly and caregivers should learn the Heimlich maneuver. An older person living alone can “Heimlich” himself or herself by leaning over the back of a chair or the corner of a table – but you really should find a class or have someone teach you how to do the procedure correctly because it can be life saving.

Burns can be especially dangerous for the elderly because of an old wives tale that recommends treating them with butter. This is the absolute worst thing a person can do.

Butter seals in the heat and can make a burn much worse. It is always best to use cool water and do not break blisters as they keep the burned tissue clean and free from infection.

If the burn is large, appears deep and skin layers are destroyed, call an ambulance immediately.

I have been told by paramedic friends that seniors sometimes resist calling an ambulance because they’re afraid that if they’re taken to the hospital they will never be released – or that the ambulance is so expensive they can’t pay for it, or that they are disturbing the medics who respond.

While these fears are very real for some seniors, the reality is that you will not be kept at the hospital unless absolutely necessary. Medicare may pay for the ambulance ride and the paramedics love their jobs and want to help.

Learning some first aid, using common sense and calling an ambulance when you need help are good ways to stay well. And get yourself a good first aid kit. It’s immediate help in a box.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. E-mail Carol Higgins at chiggins@eaaa.org. For information on EAA, call 941-2865, toll-free 800-432-7812, e-mail info@eaaa.org or visit www.eaaa.org. TTY 992-0135.