How to Take Care Elders during Diwali

Protect them from Pollution

Seniors face new set of challenges during Diwali. Make sure that elder people stay away from the places with high concentration of fumes. This becomes even more important if they are suffering from any respiratory problem such as asthma, pulmonary diseases, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, common cold, pneumonia and allergic bronchitis.

Talk to doctor about how to be prepared to deal with increased pollution on Diwali. Your doctor may increase medicinal intake during this period.

Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium present in firecrackers can make breathing even more cumbersome for them. Therefore keep medications, nebulizer and inhalers handy.

Pollutants and dust takes more than three days to settle down. Therefore it is equally important to take care of elderly post Diwali as well. People with problem of central nervous system, heart and lung are affected more by dust.

Protect them from Noise pollution

Noise pollution has different impact on every individual. Elder people are at high risk of health hazards linked to excessive noise pollution. The common impacts of noise pollution during Diwali include:

tiredness

headache

impaired visual acuity

loss of appetite

impact on sleep

Annoyance, hypertension and stress are some of the possible psychological consequences of noise. Have patience even if your parents and grandparents become irritable.

The above stated problems are usually temporary and weir- off with time but the elder people should take special precautions. Increased noise level trigger heart problem by elevating the blood pressure.

If you have elder person in your house then make sure that you go out of house to burst crackers. Elders must have minimum exposure to noise and pollution during and post Diwali.