When a loved one reaches old age, their mind and mobility may not be like they once were. This means your loved one may rely on family members and carers for their everyday needs. If you have taken on the role of carer, there are certain practices that must be followed to keep your loved one safe, happy, and healthy, especially if they are bedridden.
To make sure your bedridden loved one receives the best quality of care, here are five things to keep in mind.
Personal Hygiene
Personal hygiene is the most important thing for bedridden patients. If your loved one cannot take a shower or bath alone, it’s your responsibility to take over the reins and help them get washed. Whether you use a shower chair so they can sit down, or do a sponge bath, you need to ensure your loved one is clean and fresh. Make sure you trim your loved one’s toenails and fingernails regularly as this will prevent scratches. Also, make regular arrangements for haircuts.
Bed Hygiene
As your loved one will spend the majority of their time in bed, it’s vital that you maintain hygiene. This can include changing the bed sheets regularly to get rid of skin particles, dirt, and food stains. You can buy care home equipment like bedding and linen from medical-supermarket.com which can be used in your loved one’s home. To prevent dampness, your loved one’s bed must be placed in a wellventilated area. Also, your loved one must be routinely checked for pressure sores.
Chest and Lung Care
Because your loved one is bedridden, they may be more susceptible to chest congestion and liquid accumulation in the lungs. Should this not be monitored, this can lead to viral infections or pneumonia. Therefore, regularly changing their posture or position, and providing steam or other support if necessary is important. You should speak to your doctor for advice if you aren’t sure what practices to follow.
Diet
A balanced diet is an essential component of elderly care. As your loved one is bedridden, it’s more important than ever that they’re eating healthily. Your loved one should be eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as foods packed with protein. Keeping note of their dietary needs and eating habits is key.
Environment
Your bedridden loved one may be in immense physical discomfort because they’re not mobile. In addition, they could be suffering from pain due to other diseases too. Therefore, it’s crucial you make their environment hygiene, clean and as cheerful as you can. Make sure their home is reasonably well lit, and that their essentials are next to their bedside. When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, you will need to reduce noise levels as much as possible.
If you are caring for a bedridden loved one, there are ways you can enhance their living condition. This will ensure they do not suffer any discomfort, helping them to lead a good quality of life .
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