Archives

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Coziness and comfort

Comfortable conditions help maintain a good emotional mood. It is better if it is the sunniest room (sunlight helps produce melatonin, which has an antidepressant effect), if you live outside the city, then, of course, prepare a room on the ground floor so that your loved one has the opportunity to go outside and breathe fresh air. For a bedridden patient, a functional bed on wheels is important. It helps to raise the head or legs, or even bend the legs at the knees (this is important in cases of urinary incontinence or paralysis), it will be possible to sit the person down, and this helps in the prevention of bedsores and contractures. Also remember that the elderly really need communication.

It is also worth buying an orthopedic and anti-bedsore mattress. However, an individual approach is important here, they are not comfortable for everyone.

It is very important to ventilate the room in a timely manner (at least 3 times a day) and at the same time not allow drafts, and ideally – take the patient out of the room during this time.

A special quartz lamp will help disinfect the air and surfaces (remember that you cannot look at the radiation from the lamp, so you must either close your eyes or move out of the room).

IMPORTANT: To make it convenient for your loved one to move around the house and solve everyday issues (if he is not bedridden), it is worth removing unnecessary furniture, wires and cords on the floor and other details, you can lay down anti-slip mats, and install mini-night lights in sockets along the way.

Install handrails in the shower and toilet. Consider controlling the water temperature so that your ward does not burn himself, which often happens when the skin loses sensitivity in old age. You can read about bathroom amenities in this article

Hygiene procedures

Think about the implementation of hygiene procedures. If your loved one is completely bedridden, does not control natural processes or is in deep dementia, then you will have to use diapers. You can learn how to choose the right diaper in our article. If your relative can move on his own and is aware of the desire to relieve himself, you can use a bedpan. But if your loved one can get out of bed, then it is better to accompany him to the toilet or sit him on a toilet chair. After all, this is also an opportunity to move at least a little.

It is very important to carry out cleansing procedures on time. Do not forget that there are special products for bedridden patients - shampoos, foams - that can be used without water, it is convenient. If your patient is bedridden, it is best to change the bed linen daily.

Monitoring medication intake

This is a separate important point. Like alzheimer's home care services it is better for you to control the intake of medications if your elderly loved one suffers from dementia, or fatigue and poor memory make themselves known. It is important not to mix up the pills, take them at the right time. If the person under care is ready to monitor the intake of medications, you can help him by placing the drugs in different containers-boxes, you can sign the names and time of administration.

Combating bedsores and contractures

Bedsores can appear quite quickly in bedridden patients. This is dangerous, advanced bedsores and infection can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, prevention of bedsores is extremely important. You will have to help your loved one if he cannot move. Certain procedures must be performed daily. The patient must be turned at least 5 times a day. You can put inflatable pillows under the joints, or you can use a folk method - bags with sand or cereals are also convenient. It is very good to do a massage, especially in those places where bedsores appear most quickly. Make sure that there are no folds in the underwear and clothes, and the skin is dry and clean - this is why it is important to carry out hygiene procedures on time.

Due to changes in muscles and immobility in joints, contractures may occur – tightening of limbs in joints. This happens with prolonged immobility. If you help your loved one do at least light exercises, this will be good preventive work: for example, bending and unbending fingers, hands, legs, neck, rotation of hands, feet.

Bedridden patients often experience constipation, so it is necessary to include foods rich in fiber (apples, bananas, cereals) in the diet, remember the required amount of liquid, and generally think through the diet, excluding fried or spicy foods.

by Andrea Wilkinson on 2024-12-17 11:00:16