Caregiver’s Guideline in Caring for Elderly’s on Home Oxygen

Abstract

     Oxygen is the most important gas and is necessary for human life. It has an indispensable role in energy production in the cell. It helps in the good metabolic processes which happens in the mitochondria; this reaction involves using oxygen in the body to get energy for the activities of daily living. Our body cannot keep oxygen, which is why we breathe to take oxygen at all times. In the elderly, the structure and the function of the respiratory system decreases following the aging process. There are several changes in the lungs and other parts of respiratory system, structural changes affect the thoracic breathing, the expansion of the lungs are restricted, ribs do not expand fully as well as the muscle contraction during inhalation. A crooked spines shortens the length of the lower transverse thoracic. Lungs harder and the flexibility is reduces, air remaining in the lungs after exhalation is increased but the lung capacity is decreased. As a result the strength of the respiratory muscles is reduced. The lungs will not expand fully and will be partially collapsed. The ability to breathing clearly is lessen or the efficiency of the respiratory system of an elderly is decreased. Therefore, the caregiver or family member or any involved person caring for an elderly who needs oxygen must be knowledgeable in geriatrics and how to use the various oxygen devices correctly.