Burns are common, but potentially dangerous injuries, particularly for elderly adults. Seniors are at high risk for suffering burns and complications including infections, lasting disability, and even death. As a family caregiver, it is important to know not only how you can help your aging parent avoid burns, but what to do if they experience one of these injuries. Simple first aid can help your parent to cope with minor burns and can support them while they wait for medical attention in the situation of a more serious burn.

Use these simple first aid tips to manage a burn in your aging loved one:

• Remove any burned clothing, but do not peel away any fabric stuck to the skin.
• Use cool water to draw the heat out of the burned away. Never use cold water or ice, as both of these can further damage the skin.
• Do not apply any type of ointment, cream, or butter to the area.
• Cover the burn lightly with sterile fabric.
• If the burn is minor, not causing breaking or blistering of the skin, run it under cold water for 20 minutes and then dress lightly.
• If the burn is serious or covers a large area, call for emergency medical assistance.

It is extremely important not to underestimate the severity of a burn.
Burns can be very serious and if the skin is open, it can leave your parent vulnerable to infection. Call for emergency medical assistance and keep the burned area cool, elevated, and protected until they arrive. Even if your parent has only suffered a minor burn, they may struggle with dehydration in the days of recovery. Encourage them to drink more water until their burn heals.

If you are worried about your parent’s ability to stay safe and healthy in their own home as they age, now may be the ideal time for you to consider home care for them. As a family caregiver, you want your parent to be able to enjoy the lifestyle that is right for them and to enjoy their most fulfilling life as they age in place. Having the highly personalized services of an in-home senior care services provider available to your parent can help you accomplish this. These services are specifically tailored to your loved one to help them not only cope with their challenge and limitations but also pursue a higher level of independence,

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in San Jose, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855

Source:

Nyp.org

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andy@hcprosonline.com

CEO at HomeCare Professionals

Andy Howardis a Bay Area Native who holds a BA in Political Science (University of Colorado at Boulder, ’97). After college Andy worked in the surging tech industry.His Grandmother however, would suffer a significant decline in health and ultimately needed in-home care. The experience of a loved one depending on outside help to age in place proved to be pivotal for Andy as he left the tech industry in 2002 for an opportunity in the home care world with a large provider. After having success in home care, but being frustrated by corporate constraints Andy founded HomeCare Professionals in 2005.He methodically built the company one client at a time by focusing on hiring quality caregivers to ensure positive outcomes. Currently Andy serves as the CEO of HomeCare Professionals and is also highly active in the non-profit organization California Association of Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) which advocates for a higher standard of in-home care for those who wish to remain living at home in California.

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