Home care for bedridden patients

When a loved one, a relative is bedridden after an injury or due to a serious illness, he will need help in everyday affairs – nutrition, hygiene, rehabilitation, physiological functions. We will take a closer look at how to care for a bedridden patient.

Bedridden care includes several aspects of life that you can take for granted, such as hygiene, and perform regularly. Here are some key questions to consider.

Ensuring proper and regular hygiene. Bedridden older adults may need help bathing and caring for their teeth. In addition, you need regular trimming of nails and hair care. All these cares ensure that the patient does not inadvertently scratch himself, and infestation with lice, bedbugs and other parasites is minimized, and the risk of problems with the scalp and body is reduced. Constant hygiene care for a bedridden patient will also increase his self-esteem.

Development of proper nutrition. Talk to the patient’s doctor or dietitian to make sure they are on a well-balanced diet. Write down your eating habits to use this information when talking to your healthcare provider in case something unusual happens after eating certain foods. Meet the nutritional needs of patients. Some people may want to eat smaller meals throughout the day rather than practicing three large meals. Also, keep water and unsweetened drinks handy so people can drink throughout the day.

Comfort and entertainment. Caring for bedridden patients at home is more than just bathing and feeding. You’ll also want to make sure they have possible entertainment on hand. Provide a TV with a remote control, as well as books, magazines and newspapers on a nearby nightstand for easy access. Ventilate the room regularly and change and clean bed linen as needed.

Prevention of bedsores. Home care for a bedridden patient includes treating injuries to the skin and underlying tissues resulting from sitting or lying in one position for too long – pressure ulcers. To avoid these problems, you need to make sure that the patient is placed differently every few hours. In the worst case, these ulcers can become infected, leading to complications and a shortened life.

Step-by-step instructions for caring for bedridden patients

Most often, home care and permanent bed rest are required for patients with severe injuries and operations that have led to disability (for example, hip fracture in the elderly), people with strokes and paralysis, and cancer (during or after treatment, in the terminal incurable stage).

The diagnosis and disability, which implies the patient’s helplessness and his constant lying down, becomes a difficult test not only for the person who was diagnosed, but also for his family members, friends and other close people. This is a life-changing event that fundamentally changes the circumstances in which people suddenly find themselves.

For caregivers, this may mean providing care at home when patients are undergoing treatment, such as chemotherapy, or caregiving assistance if they are bedridden. In any case, here are some helpful guidelines to keep in mind when caring for a bedridden patient.

Ensuring good care and hygiene

One of the best things families can do to help any bedridden patient is to make sure their basic hygiene and care needs are met. It includes:

Bathing. Some people can get up and take a shower or bath with little help, but others can’t do it at all. In this case, you need to take a “bed” bath every day or provide care in another way.

Dental care. Again, some people may be able to brush their own teeth, while others may need help with this or hygiene routines inside and out.

Clothing. Changing into fresh, clean clothes every day is essential so that dirt, germs, and bacteria do not have time to cause harm and cause complications.

Nails on hands and feet. The healing process or the course of the disease itself can be itchy, and long fingernails and toenails can lead to unintentional scratches and other injuries. Long nails (especially toenails) can also easily become ingrown or infected, so it’s important to trim them properly.

Haircuts and shaves. Long and messy hair can lead to skin problems, bad smell and even parasite infestation. Cutting, combing and cleaning your hair, shaving your beard and mustache is a good way to prevent such problems.

In addition to maintaining health, all of this will go a long way in helping your loved one maintain morale and self-esteem. The old adage that looking good makes people feel better is true.

Pressure ulcer prevention

Pressure sores are injuries to the skin and underlying tissues that result from prolonged sitting or lying in one position. Prolonged sitting puts pressure on parts of the body such as the buttocks, legs, and thighs, which can lead to irritation and ulcers, open sores of the skin. The end result is that the area becomes extremely painful and inflamed, and in the worst case, pressure sores can become infected and lead to serious complications that can shorten life. However, bedsores can be prevented. You can use the following tips:

• if a person spends most of his time in bed, then every few hours take time to change his position;
• if he can move on his own, encourage him to also adapt, change position to a more comfortable one;
• ask the doctor or nurse for advice on how best to reposition the patient so that you do not harm body tissues by repositioning;
• be proactive and frequently check the most critical areas for pressure sores (the sooner a pressure sore is found, the better the prognosis): heels, ankles, hips, and coccyx.

Regular change of bed linen

It may seem like a simple matter, but changing your underwear is of the utmost importance. Bedding can become soiled with food, detergents, dirt, skin particles and other debris. Therefore, for reasons of hygiene and health, when changing bed linen, you should remember some things:

• since bedridden people spend more time in bed than most others, it is very important to change bedding every 2 to 3 days (it is more convenient to buy a fitted sheet, duvet cover and pillowcases);
• before use, make sure that the new bedding set has been properly cleaned and laundered;
• talk to the person about the bedsheet material used: is the fabric soft enough for them, does it keep them warm enough, or perhaps they are too warm?
• don’t forget blankets and quilts – you may not need to change and wash them as often as sheets, but changing them regularly, cleaning and airing, air-drying, disinfecting is very important.

Ensuring Good Nutrition

Everyone knows the importance of a healthy diet, but it is even more important for patients who are ill or recovering from medical treatment such as surgery. Talk to your doctor, nurse, or dietitian to see what foods they recommend (other than the supplements the person may already be taking).

Try to provide a balanced diet, keep track of nutrients and calories to keep your loved one healthy.

Observe the nutritional physiology of your loved ones – patients may prefer to eat small meals throughout the day rather than large meals at certain times.

Keep water and healthy sugar-free drinks handy so they can drink throughout the day and stay hydrated.

Monitor your eating habits and write down your meals in a dietary journal when talking to your doctor or if you notice anything unusual after eating certain foods (bloating, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea).

Please note that some foods may interact poorly with medications – for example, vegetables high in vitamin K, such as spinach and broccoli, may neutralize the effects of some blood thinners, such as warfarin. Therefore, it is important for caregivers to understand what, even healthy foods, should be avoided.

Be sure to follow the doctor’s instructions for everything the bedridden patient should or should not eat.

Creating a comfortable environment

Our immediate environment plays a huge role in our emotional well-being, so take a few minutes to make sure the person’s environment is as comfortable as possible. Make sure the room is well lit, with natural light if possible – sunlight is a natural disinfectant and mood booster!

Make the passage to the bathroom easy and free. Place the bed within reach of the nightstand with easy access to the alarm clock, phone, book, food and water.

Ventilate the room from time to time to get rid of stale air and allow fresh air to circulate.

Minimize distractions, especially during rest periods, so that the patient can get the sleep they need.

In addition to the amenities listed above, set aside a few minutes each day to simply sit down and connect with your loved one. Mental and emotional health is just as important as physical health.

Expert advice for bedridden care

Caring for a bedridden patient can be very difficult. Even with the best of intentions, it is easy to lose patience and get irritated and tired. Here are some ideas for how to avoid or deal with these feelings when they hit you:

• understand that the treatment and physical effects of cancer, serious illness, stroke, surgery, can really limit a person’s ability to perform normal physical activities – this can cause great anxiety, especially for people who have hitherto been independent;
• take the time to share your feelings so that you both can better understand each other’s needs and goals;
• expect things to take longer than usual – the daily chores will require more energy from both the patient and yourself, and trying to rush will only cause frustration and may even harm the patient;
• watch for signs of fatigue in yourself and be aware of your own limits – if you need to take some time for yourself to avoid possible conflicts or anger, it is better to do this than to get annoyed or indulge in bad feelings, find a way to remind yourself that you are here to help your loved one man, is a good way to start every day;
• if there is an opportunity to use the help of professionals – do not hesitate to do this: nurses, nurses and other outsiders can help with care and significantly relieve stress;
• keep in touch with your doctors so they can help you manage any complications as they arise.

Popular questions and answers

We asked for answers to questions about caring for bedridden patients neurologist of the highest category Evgeny Mosin.