Whether the relative or
loved one is elderly or simply battling an illness, ensuring their comfort when
they are forced to spend extended periods of time in bed is of utmost
importance and goes a long way towards helping them maintain a good quality of
life. Here is how best to go about caring for a bed-ridden relative.
Encourage good hygiene
As most people know, feeling
sick or weak makes it endlessly tempting to put general hygiene right at the
bottom of the priority list. Unfortunately, this can lead to a number of
complications and definitely isn’t conducive to feeling better! As a result, it
is important to encourage good, consistent hygiene and grooming when looking
after a bed-ridden loved one. This should include daily bathing and/or sponge
baths, changing their clothes, helping them to brush their teeth, and trimming
their nails as necessary.
Prevent bedsores and pressure sores
According to a study
conducted by the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality, each year, more than 2.5
million people in the United States develop pressure sores as a result of being
bed-ridden for extended periods of time. The secret to preventing them lies in
investing in an air mattress for
pressure sores. These are available for sale or rent and allow for
maximum ventilation, thus reducing the risk of pressure sores or ulcers
appearing.
Change bedding regularly
While most people change
their bedding weekly or bi-weekly, it is essential to do so more regularly when
spending lots of time in bed. Most experts will recommend changing your
bed-ridden relative’s bedding every 2 – 3 days to ensure their comfort.
Make sure they are eating well
Proper nutrition could mean the
difference between a speedy recovery and struggling to overcome an illness. It
is also the secret to boosting energy in elderly people who are battling with
weakness, memory issues and fatigue. In
short, no matter the reasons for being bed-ridden in the first place, a
balanced meal is certain to help the person feel better and stronger. Make the
responsibility a bit easier on yourself by prepping meals a few days in advance
and freezing them so that you can de-frost and feed them to your loved one as
needed. Of course, it is also imperative that you ensure your relative is
drinking enough fluids.
Optimize the environment
Nobody wants to lie in a
dark, musty room for days on end. Go the extra mile to ensure that the
environment is as positive and comfortable as possible by opening a few windows
for fresh air, letting in as much natural light as possible and keeping the
area tidy. It also helps if the person has access to items and activities that
will keep their mind occupied. A good book, magazine or an interesting TV
program can go a long way.
Most importantly, ask your
relative what they need directly, and be there to perk them up with a chat and
a laugh as often as possible. They are sure to be up and about again in no time
at all!
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