Family caregivers should prepare holistic first aid kits their senior loved ones can use for various injuries or ailments. Make sure to put instructions with each item so your loved one knows how and when to use each one. Over time, add additional items to the kit as your loved one learns to rely on natural methods to treat minor ailments. Here’s what to include.
Activated Charcoal
The amazing power of activated charcoal to trap toxins in its tiny pores makes it useful in a holistic first aid kit. Taking about 500 milligrams ahead of a meal may prevent gas and the bloated feeling that often accompanies it. If your loved one accidentally poisons him or herself, activated charcoal can also be used to remove toxins from the body. Additionally, pouring water through activated charcoal makes it safe to drink.
Caynne Powder
Stopping a headache or migraine can be as simple as eating a little cayenne powder. When ingested, it can also stop blood from clotting. Pouring some cayenne powder onto a cut can make it stop bleeding. It’s also a great way to stop aching joints from hurting. Cayenne powder can also cause a runny nose, which can be helpful if your loved one has nasal congestion, and the spice can even be used to treat a dry mouth.
Caring for a senior loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Roseville families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation.
Chamomile
When your loved one has a fever, make a poultice with chamomile and watch your parent’s temperature drop back to normal. The poultice can be useful in stopping pinkeye, and it can also reduce swelling in puffy eyes in less than 10 minutes. Make a warm cup of tea with it to help your loved one relax and drift off to sleep. You can even pour a little into a warm bath to relieve sore muscles.
Peppermint
Tea made from crushed peppermint leaves is an effective remedy for an upset stomach. Peppermint can also clear respiratory congestion when it’s combined with steam from hot water. Breathing in the fumes of peppermint oil stops dizziness and clears a stuffy nose. Help your loved one rub some peppermint oil on tight and sore muscles to relax them. Apply two or three drops to each wrist to keep insects from biting at outdoor events. Stop itchy spots on the skin by applying a little peppermint oil.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality in-home care, Roseville Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
Baking Soda
While your loved one might already have baking soda in his or her cupboard, put some in the holistic first aid kit as well. Have your loved one drink a little baking soda combined with some water to stop indigestion. If your loved one gets a splinter, soak the area in a bowl of warm water and baking soda to help the splinter fall out easily. You can also put a cup or so in the bathtub to relieve the pain of sunburn.
Keeping well-stocked first aid kits, including holistic ones, is essential for efficient in-home care. When considering home care service, families should make sure their senior loved ones have the resources they need to maintain their independence and remain healthy. Trusted in-home care professionals can assist seniors with daily tasks like cooking, bathing, and exercise, and they can also encourage them to focus on healthier lifestyle habits. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Home Care Assistance. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call (916) 226-3737 today.