Basic first aid for the elderly is an essential skill if you care for an older loved one or work with seniors.

It’s an unfortunate fact of life that older people are at increased risk of accidents, injuries and first aid emergencies, so knowing some first aid for the elderly will give you the confidence to deal with these types of situations.

In this post, we’re going to round up some of the most common first aid scenarios that can affect older people and explain how to deal with them.

Falls

Caregivers’ basic first aid for the elderly should include what to do if someone falls. That’s because falls are the most common cause of injury that require hospital treatment for people aged 65 and above — over half of these take place in the home.

Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance if:

  • The casualty is experiencing heavy bleeding or bleeding from the ears, nose or mouth.
  • You think they may have injured their head, neck, hip or back.
  • You think they may have fractured a bone.
  • They are having trouble breathing.
  • They are unconscious.
  • They are unable to move.

For minor injuries, you should:

  • Help the patient get into a sitting position.
  • Apply pressure to stop bleeding.
  • Clean minor wounds and apply a sterile dressing.
  • Apply an ice pack to reduce pain or swelling.

Heat- and cold-related conditions

Older people may find it difficult to regulate their body temperature for a variety of reasons, making them vulnerable to heat- and cold-related conditions.

Heat stroke

You can recognise heat stroke by the following symptoms:

  • A temperature above 40°C
  • Increased rate of breathing
  • Headache
  • Nausea and/or vomiting

If you think your elderly relative is experiencing a heat stroke, call triple zero (000) for help.

While you are waiting, you should:

  • Move them out of the heat or sun.
  • Cool them down by helping them take a cool shower, sponging them with cool water, covering their body in damp towels or helping them sip an icy drink.

Hypothermia

These are some of the symptoms of hypothermia:

  • Shivering
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Hunger
  • Elevated heart rate
  • Rapid breathing

Note that if someone is experiencing moderate to severe hypothermia, they may have a weak pulse and their breathing may be slow.

Call triple zero (000) for assistance if you think an elderly person has hypothermia.

While you are waiting for assistance, you should help them warm up by:

  • Bringing them out of a cold environment
  • Removing wet clothes
  • Covering them with blankets or an emergency blanket if you have one

Stroke

A stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked (ischaemic stroke) or ruptures and results in bleeding (haemorrhagic stroke).

The BE FAST acronym can help you spot the signs of a stroke:

  • Balance — Assess whether the patient is having trouble balancing.
  • Eyes — Ask the patient if they are experiencing blurred vision, loss of vision in one eye or double vision.
  • Face — Ask the casualty to smile and see whether their face looks uneven. Look to see if one side of the face is drooping more than the other, and ask the patient whether one side feels numb.
  • Arm – Stroke can cause one arm to weaken. Ask the patient to raise both arms. If they can’t raise one of them or can’t raise it to the same level as the other, it may indicate stroke.
  • Speech – Slurred speech can be a sign of stroke.
  • Time – It’s time to call triple zero (000) for help if you notice any of these symptoms. It’s essential to get help quickly if you suspect stroke; the sooner the patient receives care, the less severe long-term effects are likely to be.

While you are waiting for assistance, help the casualty get comfortable. If they are unconscious, place them in the recovery position.

Providing vital care

Looking after someone elderly is one of the most rewarding things you can do. To give you more confidence, whether you care for an older relative or work with seniors, learn how to spot conditions that affect the older population and how to give first aid.

It’s also a good idea to have a fully stocked first aid kit on hand at home or at work. This means you can treat minor injuries or conditions promptly or provide vital care while you are waiting for help to arrive.

MediBC is one of the top suppliers of first aid kits and equipment in Australia, offering a comprehensive range for your home, workplace and vehicle. You can view our complete collection in our online store and choose a kit tailored to the needs of you and your elderly loved one.