Focus on health care for the elderly in cold weather

Cold weather and poor resistance make the elderly susceptible to respiratory, bone and joint diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, improving health care, keeping warm and regular monitoring are extremely necessary to protect the health of the elderly in the cold season.

Recently, the number of patients coming to the Endocrinology - Respiratory Clinic, Lao Cai General Hospital No. 2 has increased, especially the elderly, at peak, receiving 64 patients.

Elderly people have low resistance and are susceptible to illness in cold weather.

Doctor Trieu Van Thanh - Deputy Director of the Respiratory Center, General Hospital No. 2 of Lao Cai province said: The increase in the number of elderly people coming for medical examination is mainly related to diseases such as bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other chronic respiratory diseases.

These diseases are sensitive to weather factors, when the climate changes suddenly, patients, especially the elderly, often have relapses or worsening symptoms. Chronic respiratory diseases tend to be more common in the elderly due to reduced resistance, lung function gradually declines with age and are often accompanied by many underlying diseases.

Mrs. Ha Thi Hoi, 68 years old, in Coc San commune, was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 2 years ago. When the cold weather lasts for a long time, Mrs. Hoi often coughs a lot, has difficulty breathing and feels tired, affecting her daily life.

After the examination, Mrs. Hoi was ordered by the doctor to do more tests to check her health.

Doctors examine and advise elderly patients.

Faced with prolonged cold weather, many hospitals in the area have proactively implemented cold prevention measures to ensure the safety of patients, especially the elderly and children.

Warm blankets were added to the wards, heating and draft systems were checked, and heaters were installed in areas with many critically ill patients. The hospital also provided more advice to patients’ families on how to keep warm and prevent hypothermia and common respiratory illnesses in cold weather.

In addition, in order to improve the professional capacity of medical staff , Lao Cai General Hospital No. 2 recently organized a training course on the safe and rational use of drugs in the treatment of community-acquired respiratory infections for doctors, pharmacists, nurses and medical staff of hospitals and medical centers in the province.

Advanced training for health workers on the treatment of respiratory infections in the community.

In addition, infection control, room hygiene, nutrition assurance and close monitoring of patient health status are tightened; hospitals require medical staff to improve service attitude and reform administrative procedures to reduce waiting time for patients.

The above synchronous measures help patients feel secure during treatment, contributing to protecting public health during cold days.

Lao Cai Traditional Medicine Hospital in cold weather also receives more elderly people for examination and treatment because bone and joint diseases often get worse when the weather turns cold. Patients are admitted to the hospital with joint pain and limited mobility.

Improve service and treatment for the elderly.

In order to ensure the health of patients during the cold weather, Lao Cai Traditional Medicine Hospital has prepared a salt stone table system to help patients keep their feet warm while waiting for examination and treatment.

The salt stone table is heated at a stable temperature, supporting blood circulation and reducing the feeling of cold. The arrangement of heating equipment right in the waiting area not only helps patients feel more comfortable, but also helps prevent the risk of hypothermia, ensuring safety during medical examination and treatment in winter.

Elderly people treated at Bao Yen Regional General Hospital.

With the complicated weather, proactive disease prevention for the elderly is more urgent than ever. In addition to the efforts of the health sector in propaganda, prevention and treatment support, each family needs to raise awareness of care, keeping warm and monitoring the health of the elderly. Proactive disease prevention, early detection and timely treatment will reduce the risk of complications, helping the elderly to experience the winter more safely and healthily.

According to Dr. Trieu Van Thanh - Deputy Director of the Respiratory Center, Lao Cai General Hospital No. 2: When the weather turns cold, to protect their health, the elderly need to keep their bodies warm, especially the neck, chest, arms and legs; limit going out early in the morning or late at night when the temperature drops. They should wear masks when going out, avoid close contact with people with respiratory diseases; supplement adequate nutrition, drink enough warm water, do light exercise to strengthen immunity; keep the house airy but avoid drafts, clean the living environment. People with high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal diseases... who have been diagnosed need to pay attention to complying with the principles of taking medication. The elderly should get vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcus as recommended and go to the doctor as soon as symptoms appear for timely treatment.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/chu-trong-cham-soc-suc-khoe-nguoi-cao-tuoi-trong-mua-lanh-post888160.html