In the elderly (elderly), the condition of the body that begins to weaken can cause the recovery time from illness to last longer. If you are caring for a sick elderly, there is no need to worry. There are things you can do to help speed up the recovery.
When the elderly are sick or in the recovery process, the breakdown of protein and fat in the elderly body increases. Conversely, the process of protein formation decreases and fat cannot be piled up again because appetite tends to decrease.
This can lead to decreased response to treatment, prolonged hospital stay, and an increased risk of complications and even death. This is why it is important to know how to speed up recovery when an elderly person falls ill.
How to Accelerate the Recovery of the Elderly Body When Falling Sick
The following are some ways that can be done to speed up the recovery process of the elderly body when they fall ill:
1. Make sure he eats regularly
When you are sick, the appetite of the elderly tends to decrease. In addition, the average elderly experience a decreased function of the sense of taste which makes food taste bland and problems with teeth that make it more difficult for them to chew.
To speed up the recovery of the elderly when sick, make sure he eats regularly every day. Schedule meal times, such as breakfast between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., lunch from 12 a.m. to 1 p.m., and dinner from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
2. Pay attention to the number of calories and nutrients in the food
The amount of calorie intake per day in the elderly who are in the recovery period is important to note. If too few calories are consumed, the healing process will be slower and the elderly will not have the energy to carry out activities, including to undergo therapy.
According to experts, the number of calories that the elderly must consume in the recovery period when sick is as much as 35 calories per kg of body weight. For example, if an elderly person weighs 60 kg, that means the daily calorie requirement is 2,100 kcal.
In addition, make sure the elderly also eat a variety of healthy foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and fish.
3. Make sure he regularly drinks milk
The recovery process when sick in the elderly can be faster if he also regularly drinks milk, of course milk which is rich in nutrients.
Make sure the milk contains beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB). compounds resulting from the breakdown of the amino acid leucine. This compound has been shown to decrease protein breakdown and increase protein formation in the body to prevent loss of muscle mass.
In addition to containing HMB, it is also recommended to choose milk that contains other important nutrients, such as animal or vegetable protein, vitamin D, calcium, omega 3, and omega 6, in order to increase endurance and accelerate healing in the elderly.
4. Make sure the fluid needs are always fulfilled
The fulfillment of fluid needs can speed up the recovery process of the elderly when they are sick. If necessary, ask the doctor how much fluid the elderly need per day. In addition to water or milk, fruits that contain lots of water, such as watermelon, strawberries, or oranges, can also be given to prevent the elderly from becoming dehydrated.
5. Make sure he gets enough rest
In order for the recovery process from illness to be faster, make sure the elderly get enough rest every day. Plus, getting enough rest can also prevent the elderly from stress. Seniors over the age of 65 are advised to sleep for 7–8 hours every night.
The steps above need to be done painstakingly, so sometimes it is difficult for elderly people who are sick to do it themselves. Therefore, the role of the family in the recovery period of the elderly is indeed very large. As his family, you will be the scheduler for the elderly, as well as the regulator of the nutritional intake that will be given to him.
Especially for nutritional intake, make sure you provide the best food ingredients and products you can get. Choose milk with HMB content from manufacturers who are experienced and have conducted clinical studies.
Believe me, with care and love from his family, the elderly can recover faster from illness. Apply the tips above, and if necessary, consult a doctor diligently about how to care for the elderly when sick, from nutritional and fluid needs to what symptoms to watch out for.
