Elderly need special care

FOR the frail elderly, every day should have a few ‘holiday moments’ that bring a smile and bit of joy.

So says Dr Pieter Kitshoff, a clinical psychologist, researcher, health care consultant, trainer and facilitator who spoke to the Herald after yet another shocking report of the abuse of an elderly person.

Carte Blanche recently aired footage showing a brutal assault of an 84-year-old woman entrusted to the care of an expensive facility for the aged. Because of the patient’s unexplained injuries, her family installed a hidden camera that exposed a nurse. Various clips showed the nurse hitting her patient with her open hands, fists and elbows, kicking her and grabbing her by the hair.

Dr Kitshoff has a special interest in the elderly. Caring for patients suffering from dementia and Alzeimer’s disease is one of his areas of expertise. He has given numerous courses, workshops and talks on the care of the elderly and was invited to give a presentation at the prestigious Africa Alzheimer Congress in 2013.

Sadly, he said, the reports on elderly abuse were just the tip of the iceberg. Also of concern was the fact that many people who looked after the elderly were unaware of simple ways of enhancing their patients’ quality of life.

Care of the elderly involved much more than keeping patients fed, clean and comfortable. The psychological care of the patients was just as important.

Untrained caregivers looking after elderly relatives in private homes could learn simple techniques to enhance the quality of their patients’ lives simply by stimulating their patients’ five senses. For instance, this could be done by preparing them tasty meals, surrounding them by beauty, playing music,allowing them to smell various fragrances and offering them tactile objects to feel. Gentle touch was also very therapeutic.

Above all, Dr Kitshoff advocated a light-hearted approach and plenty of playful interaction between carer and patient. A cheerful smile, a bit of gentle teasing and a joke or two would really brighten up the day for an elderly person whose interaction with the world was limited because of his or her psychological or physical frailty.

He reminded those caring for elderly people that this sector of the population was prone to depression. Their patients’ psychological health needed monitoring, too.

He pointed out that understanding dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, the differences between them, the symptoms, the various stages of the disorders and how to deal with each individual sufferer, helped caregivers to provide a better quality of care.

When it came to providing institutionalised care for the elderly, one of the most effective ways for management to prevent elderly abuse was the careful assessment of all applicants before employing any staff.

“There are measurable attributes and qualities that carers will need to be good at this sort of work. Some people just aren’t suited to caring for the elderly. A care facility should have an assessment method in place to weed out these people,” he said,.

A care facility should also have a rigorous supervisory system in place. Staff members should be required to report on patients regularly, carefully recording any injuries, illness or health problems. All patients should be clinically assessed so that their care and treatment could be tailor-made for them.

Choosing a care facility for an elderly relative should also be done with caution, Dr Kitshoff advised.

“Word of mouth is a way of finding out which ones have good reputations, but don’t just leave it there. Before finalising arrangements, ask if you can spend a little time at the care centre, outside of visiting hours.

“If the managers refuse this request, ask yourself what they don’t want you to see. If you do spend time there you can quietly observe the quality of care and get a feel for the place. Meet the caregivers, chat to them and ask about routines, the methods of supervision and any practical concerns you may have. Trust your instincts. If a place doesn’t feel right, keep looking,” he said.

Dr Kitshoff is now working from Reinhardt’s Place, a care centre for people with multiple disabilities, in Pumula. He would be willing to hold workshops or give talks for interest groups, institutions, care centres or laymen who want to know more about helping their aging relatives or about dealing with dementia. Fees charged will go to Reinhardt’s Place. If you are interested contact him at drkcharacter@vodamail.co.za.

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