Making Bedside Assistance Easier

If you are the main caregiver for a bedridden senior, there are steps that should take that will help make the situation easier for both you and your loved one.

Here is how to make bedside care easier

Too often, caregivers feel that they should take one all aspects of bedside care and in doing so often wear themselves out both emotionally and physically. In addition, the loved one who needs the care can often feel like a burden. While every situation is unique there are steps that everyone can take to make bedside care easier. Here are just a few of the tips:

Do not try to do it all alone

If you have even a few friends or family members who are willing to help out, you can make out a list of people willing to help out around-the-clock, when it becomes necessary. It is important to keep in mind that because of the intimate nature of bedside care, any person helping would have to be acceptable to your loved one. A friend or relative, who is a nurse, would be able to demonstrate how to provide bedside care. Being organized and concise in making schedules for help will relieve you of bearing the full responsibility for care.

It is important to keep in mind that even with hospice services, there will be many times when you will need to be at the bedside assisting your loved one. Learning how to provide the care needed without straining your back, or otherwise injuring yourself is so important. In addition, the hospice's RN case manager assigned to you will be most helpful in guiding you with the information you need to provide care for your loved one. You will be able to pick up many helpful insights into bedside care by observing the hospice nursing staff when they are in your home. You can also ask them to show you how to care for your loved one.

Make the situation as easy as possible

There are some simple strategies that you can put into place that will help make the situation a little easier. This includes positioning the bed of the loved one. It is important to understand that you will be caring for your loved one when he becomes unable to move, or turn on his own. Because of this the bed must be positioned so that you can walk along both sides of the bed and reach him from either side. Keep in mind that trying to work from only one side is not practical, may cause you to strain your back, and will make bedside care extremely difficult.

Have the right equipment

This simple tool helps maintain dignity of a loved one

There are several items that can help assist you in bedside care and keep your senior safer. There are side rails, and safety bars, that can help keep your loved one from becoming disoriented and suddenly trying to get out bed which can result in a fall. Urinals (both male and female), and bedpans can be purchased and ready to use bedside for the patient who is not longer able to get up. There are also germicidal cloths, self care products, and even an inflatable hair washing basin. In addition, there are egg crate and other cushioning devices that can help support and comfort at this time in life. All of these items can help make your loved one more comfortable at this time in their life and provide you with the equipment you need to assist. 

The CareGiver Partnership offers a wide variety of items to fit the needs of the elderly and their caregivers, when bedside assistance becomes the focus of care giving.Washing hair made easier with this basin. 

Founder, The CareGiver Partnership

About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wisc. Visit http://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.