Planning A Caregiving Room
A caregiving room should be comfortable, safe and convenient for both the care recipient and the caregiver. Modifications to the room need not be very elaborate. In fact, in most cases, only minimal changes are necessary.
In a double-storey house, it is best to convert a room on the ground floor into the caregiving room. This would assure that our loved one can have greater degree of mobility with less risk of falling or tripping at the stairs. It would also be easier for us to care for him, or to transfer him to a hospital if the need arises.
The most important consideration is safety. This is true whether the care recipient can walk or is bed-ridden.
- Bathroom
If the care recipient is able to walk on his own, it would be prudent to modify the bathroom for safety. Make sure the bathroom floor is as dry as possible to prevent slipping. Remove any unnecessary floor mat. Fix a hand-rail near the toilet bowl to make it easier for him to support himself when necessary. Modify any sharp edges or cover them with some protective covers. Advice the care recipient not to latch the bathroom door when he is using it.
- Bedroom
The bedroom should preferably have an air-conditioner or a fan. The window should be opened to allow ventilation. Lighting should be pleasant and bright.
In the bedroom, use a hospital bed with safety railing on both sides of the bed to prevent falling. Place the bed in the middle of the room instead of by the wall. This would allow more space for maneuver and is especially useful when it comes to dressing bedsore wound and changing the bed sheet. Have a comfortable blanket available in case the room becomes too cold in the middle of the night.
If possible, place the bed in a position that allows the care recipient as much view of the window as possible. The ability to view the outside world would reduce the monotony in the room.
Having a side-table may be useful. You can put a water container and a glass there so that the care recipient does not need to leave the bed for a drink.
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Preventing Falls
In a terminally ill person, even a minor fall can cause serious injury. Many, due to weakness from the disease and the fear of falling, become inactive. Prolonged inactivity can lead to further problems such as deep vein thrombosis (formation of blood clots in deep-lying veins, usually in the legs). Inactivity also reduces the person's quality of life.
Visual problems, muscle weakness, joint pain and bone pain can increase a person's risk of falling. In additions, some medications such as tranquilizers and sedatives can impair alertness and increases the risk of fall. Abnormally low blood pressure, either due to disease or the use of anti-hypertensive medications, can also lead to falls.
Here are some steps you can take to prevent falls:
- Clear all unnecessary items out of the pathway. This includes slippery mats, extension cords or telephone line on the floor.
- Use chairs and tables that are sturdy, stable and balanced in case the person leans on them for support.
- Make sure the room has good lighting. Place a lamp within reach of the person's bed, if necessary.
- Have walking aids such as a walking frame within reach.
In spite of all precautions, falls may still occur. If your loved one falls, keep him immobile and try to determine the nature and extent of any injuries. Fractures, internal injuries and head injuries may not always be apparent, so get a doctor to examine him. Also, any pain that persists after a fall needs to be assessed by a doctor.
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