How to Take Care of a Bedridden Patient At Home

Old age can be a challenging phase of life for many, especially for those confined to bed due to illness. While being completely bedridden can seriously put the patient in both mental and physical trauma, their loved ones too find it difficult to deliver quality care in absence of any expertise. This hampers recovery of the patient to a great extent.

Certain commonly observed complications among bedridden patients as a result of complete lack of movement are as follows:

• Bed sores
• Depression
• Back pain
• Troubled sleep
• Loss of appetite

Although the elderly cannot move from their beds, it is important to keep them mentally and socially engaged apart from maintaining strict physical hygiene. All these things together have a huge impact on their recovery and responsiveness to the treatment being administered.

1. Grooming and Hygiene:

Personal hygiene plays a key role in the recovery of the patient. Hence it becomes imperative for the caregiver to maintain complete hygiene by carrying out basic activities like giving bath or sponging the patient daily, changing clothes and under-garments, helping brush their teeth, combing their hair neatly as well as cutting their nails when required.

2. Say No To Bed Sores:

When bedridden patients are lying on their back for long duration without any movement, it results in bed sores, which lead to further infections and in severe cases causes various health complications for the already ailing patient. Even if the patient is able to move a little bit, encourage them to do so every hour by turning them on the bed itself.

3. Change Bed Linen Regularly:

A favourite spot for bacteria to multiply is the linen and pillow cover used by the patient as they are carrying out most activities on the bed like eating or urinating which means frequent spills. Changing it regularly will not only keep infections away but will also make the patient feel clean and fresh.

4. Change Position, Turn Them on Sides:

Patient’s back is the most sensitive area prone to bedsores as most of the body pressure falls on it. Assist patient by changing their position from left to right and vice-versa every hour after seeking doctor’s permission. Massaging patient’s back is also a good option for preventing muscle spasm and fluid build-up.

5. Feed Them Correctly:

Avoid giving food when the patient is lying down completely as there are risks of the food interfering with the wind pipe. Help them sit up on the bed by alleviating the bed to support their back. Ensure the patient sits up comfortably and support them with railings on both side of the bed. Slowly offer food in small quantities and wipe their mouth clean. Help them gargle and wash hands once they have eaten.

6. Empathise with Them:

Needless to say, this is the most essential part of caring for the elderly. Since in such conditions the treatment continues for long, it is important to maintain patience and a positive attitude. It is important to understand that the patient is completely dependent on someone else for the smallest of things and it is certainly very heartbreaking for them. Reassure them repeatedly that you are by their side always.

In today’s fast paced life, it is impossible to offer the kind of support and care elderly members of our family demand, especially for working professionals. While it certainly is not deliberate, modern day work culture is too demanding to allow proper care for your loved ones in times of need. And even they wouldn’t want to see you suffer in your professional life and will end up blaming themselves. To ease out the situation, HealthCare atHOME offers trained nursing services by experts who look after your loved ones in need like their own family members, with all the necessary monitoring and assistance; so that you can extend your love without making them embarrassed about being dependent.

Source: HCAH