Caring for the Patient at Home

C Comfortable A Attractive R Restful E - Environment

General guidelines that apply to all sickrooms;

The room must be clean, comfortable, and well-ventilated There must be no unpleasant smells. The room must be near the bathroom. Bathrooms passageway should be clear of obstacles. A single bed with firm, comfortable mattress should be provided.

The space of the bed should be wide enough for easy movement. The bed should be near the window for viewing the garden. Light for reading should fall on the reading materials and not directly on the patients eye. Curtains or blinds must be installed for privacy and for controlling light from outside. Basic and frequently-used things should be within the patients reach. A small handbell should be within reach.

There must be a good bedside light aside from the main lighting. Quiet surroundings/ environment should be maintained. Furniture should be arrange properly.

Sleeping problems and caregiver exhaustion are two of the most common reasons sick persons are placed in nursing homes. Urinary incontinence is the second leading reason why families institutionalizes their loved ones. Agitation and aggressive behavior have also been reported.

Repetitious questions may be due to short-term memory loss and an under-stimulating/overstimulating environment leading to anxiety, feeling out of control, or fear Other complaints of patients includes;
Breathing difficulties. Blocked nose Coughing Asthma and Hiccups

The fundamental purpose of bathing is to maintain health and physical well-being of the body. Bathing, like all forms of body cleansing activities, is habitual and ritualistic. It is equated with cleanliness of body and purity of soul and it is reflected in the popular phrase, Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

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Bathing allows cleansing of the skin and removal of accumulated foreign matter. Bathing displaces dead skin and prevent irritations and rashes that may transform into infections. Bathing washes away waste materials that can interfere with the normal functioning of the skin. Bathing allows people to maintain acceptable social standards of cleanliness. Bathing gives a refreshing, reviving, and relaxing effect through the washing process.

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Complete Bed Bath

The complete bed bath involves washing the patients entire body in bed.

2.

Partial Bath
The partial bath involves the face, hands, axillae, genitals, back and buttocks.

3.

Tub Bath
Must patient find tub baths relaxing. A bath should not last longer than 20 minutes.

4.

Shower
A shower may be part of the bathtub design or a separate stall. Weak and paralyzed patients can use a shower chair.

Bathing sick people is the hardest task and getting people out of the tub is the most difficult part of this task. Other difficulties includes;
Lack of space between the tub Inavailability of a proper transferring device Slippery floor conditions Inadequate lighting Excessive postural stress resulting from bending over. Patients unwillingness to be bathed

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Place slip-resistant bars when bathing Locate accessories and controls within easy reach. Allow making easy adjustment to meet the changing needs of people Caregivers ensure safety by remaining vigilant and being with the patient all the time. Home care providers wear sneakers in the bathroom and ensure good illumination in the bath area.

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Also known as the back rub. It relaxes the muscles and stimulates circulation. Back massage is normally given after the bath and as part of bedtime care. The prone position is the best for back massage. Back massage should last for six minutes. The caregiver must check first for any skin abnormalities before starting the process.

Dentures are cleaned for persons who cannot do it themselves. Dentures must be cleaned as often as natural teeth. Remember that dentures are the persons property and they are expensive. Losing or damaging dentures is negligent conduct.

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Dressing and undressing the patients occurs at least daily. Patients wear street clothes during the day. Certain rules are followed when dressing and undressing the patients;
Provide for patients privacy. Encourage the patient to do as much as possible. Remove clothing from the strong or good side first. Put clothing on the weak side first.

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It is an important part of the caregiving job. Beds are usually made in the morning after baths. Beds are made in the following;
Closed bed one where the top linens are not folded back. Open bed top linen are folded back so that the patient can easily get into bed. Occupied bed made with the patient in it.

Thank you for listening! Quiz Tomorrow! Good Luck!