I cut my finger the other day and couldn’t find a bandage anywhere. Toilet paper is not a good substitute, and while alcohol is considered a disinfectant, I don’t think watermelon vodka was the best choice.
Have you looked at your first-aid kit lately? Do you even have one? These kits have come a long way from the little tin box my grandmother always kept in a drawer.
The new and improved first-aid kits have a treatment for just about every ailment. At redcross.org, you can find a list of all the items that should be in your kit, or a completely stocked kit may be purchased at their online store for a small fee.
Here’s a list of several items to include: absorbent compress dressings, adhesive bandages, adhesive cloth tape, antibiotic ointment packets, antiseptic wipe packets, packets of aspirin, an instant cold compress, a pair of non-latex gloves, tweezers and hydrocortisone ointment packets.
Everyone should have a working knowledge of first aid, but seniors need to be especially vigilant because aging bodies typically slow down a bit and injuries can happen in an instant.
Accidental poisoning can happen when a senior forgets that medication was taken and takes it again. If this occurs, call the Northern New England Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. The operators also will answer any questions concerning medications.
Burns can be especially dangerous for the elderly because of an old wives’ tale that recommends treating them with butter. Do not do this. Butter seals in the heat and can make a burn worse. Use cool water instead, and do not break blisters because they keep the burned tissue clean and free from infection. If the burn is large, appears to be deep and skin layers are destroyed, call an ambulance immediately.
Choking, which can be a hazard for seniors, may be minimized by cutting food into small pieces, making sure dentures are secure, eating slowly and chewing each bite thoroughly before swallowing. Seniors and caregivers should learn the Heimlich maneuver, which older people can perform on themselves by leaning over the back of a chair or the corner of a table. Before trying this, take a class or have someone, such as a nurse or doctor, demonstrate how to do the procedure properly.
Carol Higgins Taylor is an advocate for seniors and owns a public relations firm in Bangor. She can be reached at 4chtaylor@gmail.com.