Caring for the Bedridden Patient

at 11:55AM, 1:55PM, and 3:55PM

Self-sacrifice and challenges lie ahead when caring for a bedridden friend or family member; but it’s important to realize it’s not an easy ride for the patient either.

To tell us how to make a bedridden patient feel most comfortable and provide some other helpful advice, Suzanne invited Registered Nurse Roxanne Galvin who discusses emotional support, diet and exercise, and extracurricular hobbies.

How to Find a Home Care Nurse

If you are the caregiver and cannot devote enough time to your patient due to work or kids, for example, it may be a good idea to find a home care nurse. In fact, it may be the doctor’s orders.

Social services in the hospital will assign a case manager who can recommend a list of home care providers in your area. In the majority of cases, insurance covers the cost of a home care nurse.

Creating the Proper Environment

Remember, it’s the littlest of things that can make a big difference. Creating a suitable, clean environment for the patient can help him/her feel comfortable, needed and emotionally secure.

Make sure the patient has access to such things as the television remote, books, a telephone, magazines, jigsaw puzzles and ice water. Give them activities such as folding laundry, sewing, reading to children—make them feel needed. Let them have the opportunity to interact with others. And next to their bed, keep a list of telephone numbers including friends, family and emergency numbers.

Double check the smoke alarms in the room and push the electrical cords out of the way. If possible, give the patient lighting options—bright light for reading and dim light for relaxation. Most importantly, give the patient some sunlight.

Things You Should Know

Don’t forget—a person who is bedridden has the same needs as any healthy person; he/she just needs help in attending to those needs. Help the patient to feel accepted regardless of their impairment. In some cases, emotional support can be even more vital than physical aid. Encourage him/her to set goals each day. Don’t do everything for the patient; let them do what they can on their own.

It’s important to teach the family members, friends and the patient the danger signs and when to report them. Look for swelling (which can be very dangerous for those with congestive heart failure), weight gain, weight loss and bedsores. For example, if the patient suffers from bedsores, reposition him/her every 2 hours.

Although it may be minimal, exercise is recommended. Minor physical therapy, including flexing of the arms and legs, can prevent body contractions and can stimulate the patient’s self-esteem.

Nutrition is a crucial component in maintaining the muscle weight of a bedridden patient. Arrange the diet to be high in protein, Vitamin C and fiber. Give them fresh fruits and vegetables and lots of water to keep their body hydrated.