Elder Care in East Grand Rapids MI: Do You Know How to Help an Elderly Loved One Who Has Fainted?
Elder Care in East Grand Rapids MI
Fainting happens when your brain’s blood supply is slower or slightly less than usual. It’s a temporary loss of consciousness, and it can be terrifying if you’ve never experienced it. The good news is that there’s usually no need to worry about someone who has fainted as long as they don’t injure themselves during the faint.
Try to Catch Her
If your loved one is standing when she faints, try to catch her. A fall can do a lot of damage, so it’s best to avoid one if at all possible. If your loved one is sitting when she faints, try to make sure that she doesn’t fall out of her seat. You don’t always get warning when your loved one is about to faint, so it’s understandable if you get caught off guard.
Gently Move Her, if Possible
Once you’ve caught your loved one or stabilized her during the faint, try to situate her in a good position. The Mayo Clinic recommends that someone in a faint should lie on their back with their feet above their heart. Use a pillow to elevate your loved one’s feet if necessary. Don’t worry about moving your loved one if that isn’t possible.
Make Sure She’s Able to Breathe
The next step is to make sure that your loved one is still breathing and that this was just a faint. If there are several people in the room when your loved one faints, it’s likely that everyone is crowded around and trying to help. This is admirable, but it doesn’t actually help. Have everyone back off and give your loved one some space in which to catch her breath. If she’s not actually breathing, CPR may be necessary and someone should call 911.
Help Her Get Up Slowly
Once your loved one is recovered and wants to get up, tackle that prospect slowly. Your loved one needs some time to acclimate, particularly if the faint is a result of low blood pressure or another health condition. Support your loved one as she rises, just in case she’s weak or starts to faint again.
Bring Her Water and Follow Up with Her Doctor
Encourage your loved one to drink some water and contact her doctor to let him know that she’s had a fainting episode. He may not need to see her, but depending on her existing health conditions, it may be a good idea.
Fainting spells don’t last long, usually, but they can be scary for everyone involved. If your loved one is prone to fainting, make sure that you mention it to her elder care providers so they can be alert.
If you or someone you know needs help with elder care in East Grand Rapids MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
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