We all know how important having a band-aid is when our kids’ knees are bleeding.
As family caregivers of seniors, we need to remain prepared for emergencies with our seniors as we did with our children.
Do you have a first aid kit? If you do, what is in it? Is it someplace where it can quickly be found when it is needed?
A first aid kit stored out of sight might not be quickly found in the panic after an injury, especially if it is a visiting friend or family member looking for it.
If you have kit already, go through it to make sure it has what might be needed. Has anyone checked it lately for expired items? If you’re like us that is not done often enough.
Checklist – First Aid Kit for Seniors
There are several things we should have at hand in the case of any emergency in our seniors’ homes whether you, another loved one or a paid caregiver is present.
- Gloves
- Thermometer
- Antiseptic ointment and wipes
- Cold pack
- Band-Aids in assorted sizes including knee and elbow sizes
- Thermal patches
- Medications: fever reducer, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream
- Blanket
- Gauze and tape
- Hand sanitizer or soap
- Tweezers, scissors, safety pins and needle
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Activated charcoal
- Your senior’s list of medications including dosages and times
- Phone numbers for emergency contact, doctor, pharmacy, poison control
- Antibiotic lotion
- Elastic wrap such as Ace brand
- Cotton balls and swabs
- Eye goggles and sterile eyewash
- Plastic bag for disposable
- Medical forms such as living will, DNR, or advance directives
- If needed: blood pressure monitor, blood sugar meter and/or AED
- First aid guide for reference
Store all items in a place that is easy to find and known to all caregivers or helpers in the home.
Make a plan to check the first aid kit regularly to discard and replace any expired items.
Being prepared will help your senior get the care they need just in case.
Did we miss anything you think should be added to the kit? If so, please leave a comment to let us know!
Thank you for this wonderfully complete list of things to include in a Seniors’s First Aid Kit!! As a caregiver to my 82 year old dad, his wife with late-stage Alzheimers, and my sister with Downs Syndrome….I need all of the help I can get!! I did think of one other thing that might be useful, especially in the event of a major catastrophy or emergency: Add to the list of phone numbers for emergency contacts, living will, etc…(all printed materials basically) a LARGE CLEARLY PRINTED CARD WITH THE SENIOR’S FULL NAME, DATE OF BIRTH, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, DRIVERS LICENSE NUMBER, AND MEDICARE MEMBER ID NUMBERS..AND ANY HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY NUMBERS AS WELL. I was just thinking that if, for some reason, the caregiver is not present, emergency responders will have all of the Senior’s personal information at hand…especially if the ‘catastrophy’ is a major, drawn-out event, lasting several days or weeks. (think Katrina!!) Just a thought!!
Thank you Tricia for your additions to the list. Keeping documentation handy especially in an emergency is very important. Find a place that it can be kept dry as well as secure due to the nature of the information is essential! Appreciate your sharing!
Very good information. I plan to update/upgrade my First Aid Kit immediately.
Thank you also Kathy. Good idea on the personal info card.
Glad that you found it helpful! You can never be too prepared for emergencies!
I also think it would be helpful to have an emergency number for a doctor,a relative or neighbor who might need to be informed or perhaps assume longer term responsibilty for the patient, added to the list.
Barrier masks may also be added to the first aid kit.
Thanks Jan! We agree that having emergency numbers handy is important. Wouldn’t it be great if all caregivers took a CPR course so they would know what to do in the case of an emergency requiring a barrier mask too! Appreciate your suggestions!