Caring for an elderly relative can be daunting, but knowing the right first aid in case of an emergency can give you the confidence to take life-saving action. Here are some top first aid tips.

Falls and trips

People aged 65 and older have the highest risk of falling and it can lead to injury, pain and loss of confidence. If an older relative has a fall, you should help keep them calm and if they are able, help them get up slowly and gently. Make sure they rest before trying to do anything else and check for injury, before giving them some pain relief or calling 111.

A personal alarm or a pager system can give peace of mind, as it allows you to be reached quickly in the event of a fall. You can research the different types of pager systems at specialists such as https://www.dinggly.com/us/.

Stroke

If you suspect a stroke, it’s vital to act fast, so if an elderly person’s face has dropped on one side, their speech is slurred or they cannot raise both their arms, call 999 immediately. Again, it’s important to stay calm and keep your loved one comfortable, talking to them to keep them reassured.

Hypothermia

Signs of hypothermia, where body temperature drops below 35°c, include shivering, blue lips and skin and sleepiness. Call 999 and keep the older person awake, give them a sugary snack and warm drink and cover them with warm blankets. Do not rub their skin as it can hurt and also cause injury.