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Caring for a recumbent adult is extremely difficult. It not only requires a lot of physical strength and patience, but also an appropriate approach to the person under his care. People who have not previously dealt with caring for a lying adult, often instinctively approach this activity as caring for a child. Meanwhile, the sick person can check this huge mental discomfort and even harm physically. See how to avoid it.
The situation in which we have to take care of a seriously ill person, temporarily or permanently immobilized in bed, is extremely difficult. The situation is a bit easier if the sick person is physically immobilized, but the contact with him / her is maintained (hears, speaks, understands), can talk about his needs, desires, doubts or fears. It is much worse when we have no contact with a sick person at all or the contact is limited due to hearing loss, speech difficulties or dementia. Communication problems often lead to the fact that we start to treat the person under our care as a small child. This is a big mistake, the needs of a small child are different, as are the needs of an adult. An adult has already formed views, habits and habits that we must respect and accept.
The needs of every human being, regardless of health or age, can be generally divided into two groups: biological and psychological. The biological needs include eating, drinking, breathing, defecation, the need to sleep, rest, and avoid pain. Mental needs are: the need for security, the need for activity or independence, the need for emotional ties and belonging, and the need for meaning in life. A healthy person meets most of his needs almost automatically, without any problems. In seriously ill people who cannot perform the simplest tasks themselves, all needs are a big problem, and their fulfillment falls on the shoulders of the caregiver. In a situation where contact with the patient is difficult: he / she does not hear, has difficulties with speech or, as in the case of dementia, cannot express what he wants to say, he / she lacks words, repeats itself (has problems with signaling his needs), it can all be cause nervousness and even aggression. The caregiver also experiences similar frustrations when the patient does not answer or responds without sense. Good contact and mutual understanding between the caregiver and the patient are the basis of good care. Therefore, the caregiver is also burdened with the need to develop such methods of non-verbal communication in order to communicate with the patient.
How to talk to a sick person – verbal and non-verbal communication
Non-verbal communication is based on understanding, contact by touch, gesture, smile or facial expressions. Since we are never sure to what extent the patient cannot hear, we always support non-verbal messages with linguistic communication. Thanks to this, the patient can also read messages from the movement of the lips. When talking to a student who has problems with hearing or concentration, the most important factor is creating the right conditions for the conversation. Remember, however, that it should not be conducted with the TV turned on, in the presence of many people or a running child. Close windows and doors, and maintain eye and touch contact when making a call.
The patient must be spoken loud and clear, but at the same time gently. You should definitely not use diminutives or infantile expressions that we often use when talking to a child. Think how you would feel if you were addressed in this way.
The sentences spoken must be simple and short without difficult words. With a short question “yes?”, “Okay?” (to which the person nods or responds) Check that the person understands what you are saying to him. In a situation where the patient has problems with speech or expression, never urge him, do not finish the sentence you started for him, always listen patiently to the end. When you do not understand, ask simple questions to which the patient only answers “yes” or “no” or only nods his head. Always support the words you address with the patient with gestures. When you ask the question “do you want to eat?” Imitate eating with a spoon with your hand. When asking “do you want to sit down?”, Point your hand at the armchair at the same time. When you cannot express something by word or gesture, write.
An adult sick is not a child
Despite the fact that we often perform all activities with an adult as with a small child: we feed, wash, change, calm down, we cannot treat him as a child under any circumstances. Even in the area of the simplest physiological matters, behaviors that are natural with a child and do not offend anyone, are unacceptable towards an adult.
When performing hygiene procedures, never do it in the presence of third parties. The very fact that a sick person cannot do it alone, that he is dependent on others, is enough torment for him. This extra embarrassment should be avoided.
Also, remember to always use cosmetics specially designed for adult skin care. She has completely different needs than the baby’s skin and the use of inappropriate cosmetics can be even harmful to her.
Even when eating, when a sick person eats awkwardly or when fed, the presence of third parties is embarrassing for them. Remembering about the need to be independent, if possible, help, protect, but don’t do it.
Never talk to others about the sick person as if they were not in the room. Even in the absence of contact, the patient cannot be treated objectively.
Another important element is informing the patient about all matters related to him. The patient should know about the tests, procedures and planned treatment that await him. Each daily activity must also be preceded by the information: “now I will wash you” (in any case you can not remove the duvet and start washing without a word) or “now I go out with the garbage, you will be alone for a while” (the sick person must know not to fear). An adult sick person will feel better if he accepts certain activities himself, and is not confronted with a fait accompli. By asking the question “do you want to wash now?”, “Can I take out the rubbish now, will you be left alone?” The well-being of the sick person largely depends on the mutual relations between the caregiver and the patient, which are based on the understanding, patience and empathy of the caregiver.