4. Basic needs from the elderly

The assessment from the elderly needs, as I explained in the entry 3.1 (clinical and functional), we make it through the 14 basic needs described
by Virginia Henderson.

1. Need of Respiration and circulation
2. Need for nutrition and hydration
3. Need of elimination
4. Need of Movement
5. Need to rest and sleep
6. Need to dress and undress
7. Need for Maintenance of body temperature
8. Need for hygiene and maintenance of skin integrity
9. Need for security / avoid the risk
10. Need of communication
11. Need of beliefs and values
12. Need for self-realization
13. Need to recreate
14. Need to learn

Regarding the need for security/avoid the risk, it is highly recommended to follow a set of instructions (which I will mention below), to prevent any accidents in the home.

• Kitchen: is highly recommended that patients have near the tools that will required, the cabinets to a height that they won't need to use chairs to get what they need. Likewise, it is also important that, while they been cooking, let the pans with handles inside (to avoid burning) and always had tagged all cleaning products (not to lead to mistakes).
• Bathroom: It is very important to have an anti-slip (or shower mats) in the shower and in the bathtub, in addition to having railings and even a seat for more comfort in the cleanliness (and to prevent slips / falls). It is also important to have railings at the sides of the toilet . Moreover, in patients with cognitive impairment, it is advisable to avoid the mirrors (as they can be reflected and frightened because they don't recognize themselves).

• Corridors: it is very important that are well lit, with no objects that may obstruct the passage (furniture, cables, etc.) and remove carpets (or if you want to be this, you must have it stuck firmly to the ground to prevent falls). Furthermore, it is recommended that the electric outlet are at a suitable height, that corners are protected and to have a non-slip floor. Finally, as I mentioned in the bathroom, if the elderly suffer cognitive impairment, have to remove the mirrors and pictures. Do not forget that it is highly recommended to have handrails on both sides of the aisle and to had night lights (that the elderly can switch on when they need to go to the bathroom during the night).
• Rooms: As I mentioned above, you must remove the carpets (or stuck them firmly to the floor) and remove also the obstacles that hinder the passage. Is also strongly recommended to have the bed / armchair / sofa without quilt hanging on the sides. Likewise, it is also important to have the bedside table in a place where the elderly can't hit during the sleep or when they wake and to have a lamp that they can turned off easily from the bed (because if the plug is far from the bed , it is possible that the elderly when they return to the bed in the dark can be hit / fall).
• Medications: Medication must be well organized and in their boxes. We
  strongly recommend that the elderly use pillbox daily / weekly (depending on the amount of medication that they take), in addition to a list of the medications that they take daily (and dosages). It is also vitally important that seniors know the medications that they take (they must know the name, since no use saying: "I take a pill blue and white", or.. "another tiny orange" ...) if ever they have to tell all his medication to the medical staff (because we don't know all the shapes and colors of all medications).
  

In addition to these tips, it is advisable to give a number of indications to the elderly:

• Become an annual medical examination which will check the view.
• Make exercise regularly to strengthen muscles and improve balance and coordination.
• Do not get out of bed abruptly, be sitting a few seconds.
• Use non-skid soles and shoes are that fit your foot well (avoid thongs or open house slippers).
• Having pointed and near the phone the numbers of emergency service.
• Avoid smoking at home and especially in bed.
• In the event that the patient begins to suffer from a cognitive impairment, is advisable to use appropriate pictograms indicating the rooms and equipment

In my opinion, it's very important to eliminate all hazards in the homes of patients. It seems very important that from the nursing, recommendations are given about all the changes that must be made at home to avoid any accidents.

Bibliography

• Stevens J. A; Olson, S. E. Lista de comprobación para evitar caídas. Manual para ancianos.
• Lista de seguridad para personas de la tercera edad sobre la prevención de caídas en el hogar. [Artículo de internet]. 2005. Revisado de: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/toolkit/Falls_ToolKit/DesktopPDF/Spanish/booklet_Spa_desktop.pdf
• FCA. Family Caregiver Alliance. [Monografía de internet]. [Fecha de consulta 13 de abril de 2013]. Disponible en:  http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=1408
• Medline. [Monografía de internet]. [Fecha de consulta 13 de abril de 2013]. Disponible en:  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/007428.htm
• Díaz Orquendo, D; Barrera García, A. C; Pacheco Infante, A. Incidencia de las caídas en el adulto mayor institucionalizado. Rev cubana enfer Vol. 15 (n.1). Cuidad de la Habana: 1999.