Providing care

For some of the people you look after a degree of confusion, caused by anxiety and agitation, can impact on their day to day life.

As we get older our sense of taste and smell can change which can affect our appetite and enjoyment of food.

Pressure ulcers are also known as pressure wounds, pressure sores or bedsores.

Personal dignity is about being treated in a way that respects you as an individual and your life.

Constipation can affect people of all ages, though it is more common the older people get.

Fluids like water, tea, coffee and juice are essential for the body to be healthy. The importance of having enough fluids does not decrease with age. If you are providing care for someone it is important to make sure they are drinking enough to stay healthy.

It is important to find out if the people you are providing care for have difficulty swallowing. If they do have difficulty swallowing you need to understand how you can help them.

This page should be read alongside the page managing medication in care homes.

​Although many of us enjoy the sunshine, as a result of climate change we are increasingly likely to experience extreme summer temperatures that may be harmful to health. This can also affect the quality of the air we breathe as extreme heat can increase the number of pollutants in our air. Some groups of people who are more likely to be at risk of harm include older people, the very young and people with pre-existing medical conditions as well as those whose health, housing or economic circumstances put them at a greater risk of harm from very hot weather and poor air quality

It is important for everyone working in care to understand the principles of infection prevention and control. Good infection prevention and control will minimise the risk of healthcare associated infections and will help protect both the people you care for and yourself.

The British Geriatrics Society have produced a
poster External link about what to do in the event of a fall during the COVID-19 pandemic.