Can Proper Handwashing Help Prevent Sepsis and Other Complications?

Referred Caregivers in Rye NY: Can Proper Handwashing Help Prevent Sepsis and Other Complications?

Reducing the risks that your senior faces and helping to prevent potentially devastating conditions is one of the most important tasks that you will handle on a regular basis during your caregiver journey with your parent. One of the most pressing and potentially dangerous risks that elderly adults face is sepsis. An inflammatory response to the chemical immune reaction to an infection, sepsis has three stages. These include sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. If left untreated or not treated soon enough, this can lead to death. Fortunately, sepsis is treatable and largely preventable. One of the most effective, and truly simplest, ways to prevent sepsis and complications associated with sepsis is handwashing. It is critical that both you and your elderly parent wash your hands regularly and thoroughly to combat germs, help prevent infection, and reduce the risk of sepsis.

Use these tips to wash your hands properly, and to encourage your parent to wash their hands thoroughly and effectively:

• Remove rings, watches, bracelets, and other accessories that cover portions of your hand or wrist skin
• Wet your hands with running water first. The water does not have to be hot, as germs can withstand temperatures that are too hot for a person to have on their skin. Warm water is more comfortable, however, and will encourage your senior to wash more thoroughly
• Use plenty of soap, preferably liquid. You do not need antibacterial soap. Studies have shown that antibacterial soap is no more effective than other types of soap, and can actually be harmful to the skin and the immune system
• Rub your hands together thoroughly to create a lather that spreads across the entire hand and up on to the wrist
• Rub the wrists, in between all fingers and around the thumb, the tops of the hands, and under the nails
• Wash the hands for approximately 10 to 15 seconds
• Rinse the hands well to remove all lather
• Dry the hands on a clean towel with a gentle patting motion rather than rubbing, which can irritate and even damage the skin

If you have found that your parent’s needs have increased to the point that you no longer feel as though you can handle them properly, or your own limitations or schedule have changed so that you do not feel that you are capable of offering the level of care that your parent needs and deserves, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting care for them. A referred caregiver can fill any care gaps that might exist in your routine with your senior so that they can get everything that they need to stay happy, healthy, comfortable, and safe as they age in place. This is especially reassuring if you are a distance caregiver, helping you to know that even if you are not able to be there with your parent, they are still getting their individual needs and challenges met on a daily basis. The highly personalized nature of this care means that the referred caregiver can help your senior pursue a lifestyle that is as active, engaged, independent, and fulfilling as possible throughout their later years.

Sepsis Awareness Month

https://www.cdc.gov/sepsis/datareports/index.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sepsis/symptoms-causes/dxc-20169787