What does a bedridden patient need? What to do if there is no one to care for the bedridden patient? Position on the paralyzed side

Bedridden care can be special and general. Under the special understand the general principles of activities that are necessary for all patients without exception. Special care implies special actions of the caregiver based on the specifics of the disease or pathology.

Nursing is not a method of treatment, it is an addition to the main treatment, helping to avoid complications and difficulties.

How to build proper care for bedridden patients

At the heart of caring for bedridden and seriously ill people is the creation of a special regime that will protect the patient's peace, protect his psyche from negative influences and at the same time create a cozy atmosphere around him. In such conditions, patients will feel more comfortable, they will develop an optimistic approach to the disease and a mood for a speedy recovery.

People who are called upon to care for the sick must create not only comfortable conditions for their stay, but also be sympathetic to the sick. It must be understood that physical suffering disturbs patients, causes a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness, they can be irritable and even aggressive.

The ability to find an approach to the patient, to support him during such a period, the sensitivity and indifference of the staff allow patients to be distracted from their situation, tune in to recovery and maintain a good mood.

If the care is provided by physicians, they usually receive special training, but if they are close relatives, something needs to be learned.

Bedridden care: basic rules

1. The room should be light and airy, as far as possible it should be isolated from noise and visitors. We need fresh air and a comfortable temperature within 20-22 degrees with a humidity of no more than 40-60%. During the day there should be soft lighting with lampshades, and at night - nightlights or bedside lamps.
2. Indoors, it is necessary to carry out wet cleaning at least twice a day, wiping dust from furniture, windows and doors, and wash floors with a damp cloth. It is preferable to remove curtains and curtains, replacing them with blinds. You need to talk in a low voice in the room, turn on the TV or radio quietly if the patient asks. It is better to ventilate the room at night, when the air is fresher, or in the morning, when the amount of dust and gases is minimal. In summer, you can keep a window or window open. When airing, you need to make sure that the air does not get on the body, the head is covered with a towel, leaving the face, and the body is covered with a blanket.
3. It is very important to properly transport patients to procedures and treatment activities. This is done on a stretcher or wheelchair, while trying to avoid sudden movements, pushes and bumps. It is necessary to shift the patient together, if it is a child, it is permissible to do this to one person. If the patient has to be carried by one person, it is necessary to lift the patient, taking it under the shoulder blades and under the hips, while the patient’s hands should hold on to the neck of the caregiver. The patient is transferred to the bed, having previously prepared everything necessary for care.

Equipment for the care of bedridden patients

Bedridden patients need an oilcloth, a rubber circle, a bedpan and a urinal. The bed is made neatly and comfortably for the patient, a flat and semi-rigid bed with a mattress is used, on which an oilcloth is laid and a sheet is placed on it. If treatment of the spine is necessary, a rigid shield is placed under the mattress. The bed should not be close to radiators or heaters. There should be free access to the bed from both sides.

The patient is placed in bed undressed, in pajamas or without it. He is helped to undress, and if there is no way to do this (burns or severe injuries), the clothes are carefully cut.

Care of bedridden patients: change of linen

The cleanliness of the linen is important for the patient, so the bed and underwear are changed regularly. When changing underwear, it is necessary to ensure that the procedure does not cause pain and inconvenience.

The patient is shifted to the edge of the bed, part of the sheet is rolled up to his body, a clean one is laid in its place and the patient is moved to a clean sheet, removing the dirty one and covering the clean one to the end. Sometimes they roll the sheet from the legs to the lower back, and then up, lifting the patient. The edges of the sheet are attached with pins so that it does not roll down. When changing the sheets, the duvet cover is changed and the blanket is shaken out.

The underwear for seriously ill patients is special - these are shirts or undershirts, they are rolled up from the waist to the neck, removed from one hand, then from the second and carefully removed from the head. In some cases, a shirt with a wrap-around back is worn. Linen contaminated with blood or secretions of the patient is immediately changed to clean.

Other principles of care are based on the regimen prescribed by the doctor. It is important how often and in what position to feed the patient, how to take medicine, how to bathe him.

Bedridden Care: Departure and Hygiene

1. Seriously ill patients carry out physiological functions in bed with the help of a urinal and a bedpan. It is important to always have washed and disinfected boats on hand to keep them warm. All patient care products should be at hand, cleanly washed and convenient for the caregiver and the patient.
2. Personal hygiene is important. In seriously ill patients, wiping the body with a damp sponge or swab soaked in warm soapy water is used. Then wash with warm water without soap and wipe dry. Once a week, the nails on the hands and feet are cut short. Hair in seriously ill patients is cut short for adequate hygiene.
3. Hands are washed at every meal, feet are washed once a day before bedtime, washing is done twice a day. If the patient is very fat, daily washing of skin folds is indicated to avoid diaper rash.
4. Also, for the prevention of diaper rash, it is often necessary to change the position of the patient's body, put rubber circles under the places of greatest contact with the bed, and eliminate the slightest bumps on the bed.

Feeding the seriously ill

One of the most important points in care is the need to strictly observe the time of feeding and diet.

Seriously ill bedridden patients are given the most comfortable position so that the patient can eat and not get tired. This is usually a semi-sitting or elevated position in bed.

The neck and chest are covered with a napkin, the patients are fed from a spoon with crushed or mashed food, in small portions. If the patient is asleep, wait until he wakes up. Seriously ill people are given to drink from a drinker, and if they cannot swallow, they switch to artificial nutrition - by tube or intravenously.

In addition, it is important to monitor the patient's condition and his well-being, maintain his mood and contact with conversations, but not bother him.

Update: October 2018

Everyone can face a situation when a previously healthy relative has an injury to his legs or spine or a disease that prevents him from walking and serving himself. And if you are one of those who cannot hire a professional nurse or nurse for round-the-clock care who knows all the intricacies of dealing with bedridden patients, as well as male orderlies who will change his position in bed several times a day, our article is for you.

We will describe in detail how home care for bedridden patients is carried out. We will describe feeding, water supply, hygiene measures and assistance in the implementation of physiological functions. We will also consider in detail the prevention and treatment of bedsores, the prevention and treatment of congestion that occurs in the internal organs. We will tell you how professional care for bedridden patients is carried out - in a hospital.

The Dangers of Prolonged Lying

Staying in a supine position for more than 3 days is due to many diseases. It:

• acute pathologies of the nervous system (stroke, encephalitis, violation of the integrity of the spinal cord);
• chronic diseases of the nervous system (Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic sclerosis, dementia);
• pathology of the joints, bones;
• diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• ailments accompanied by imbalance,

and many others.

At its core, caring for bedridden patients at home is a much greater effort than that required for an infant who has not yet learned to change position of the body. And it's not about body weight, but about pathological reactions that start very quickly, even if a previously healthy person has to lie down for more than 3 days. Let's talk a little about these processes.

metabolic processes

Without oxygen, the internal organs do not function: it is a kind of "bargaining chip" that makes it possible to carry out any metabolic processes. Its delivery should be adequate to the needs of the body. For this:

1. those areas of the lungs (alveoli) should be continuously ventilated, in which oxygen directly penetrates into the blood, and carbon dioxide into the exhaled air;
2. the membrane of the alveoli, through which diffusion of oxygen takes place in one direction, and carbon dioxide in the other, should not be edematous (this is typical for pneumonia of any nature);
3. the blood must be sufficiently fluid. This is ensured by sufficient fluid intake, timely treatment of inflammatory processes in the body (proteins formed during inflammation increase blood viscosity), as well as a sufficient amount of proteins from food;
4. blood circulation should be sufficient, "reaching" to each cell;
5. the nervous and endocrine systems involved in the regulation of the respiratory muscles should also not be damaged.

With forced prolonged immobilization, each of the points suffers:

Lungs

The air that we breathe does not all go to "work" even in conditions of complete health and normal physical activity. Part of it remains in the dense “tubules” of the trachea and bronchi (otherwise they would “collapse”), another part is a reserve volume in case you have to breathe deeply (for example, during exercise or running from danger).

The expansion of the lungs, in which negative pressure is created in the chest, and air is "sucked" into the incompressible airways, occurs with the help of the respiratory muscles. Most of them are localized between the ribs in several layers, if necessary, additional muscles are connected to the work: neck, sub- and supraclavicular muscles, abdominals. The main respiratory muscle is the diaphragm, stretched like a dome under the ribs. It provides 2/3 ventilation, increasing the volume of the chest cavity, where the lungs are located, vertically.

Since the respiratory muscles are controlled both involuntarily, by commands from the medulla oblongata, and voluntarily, that is, by willpower, a person can use the thoracic or abdominal type of breathing. In the first case, only the intercostal muscles work, while the diaphragm moves passively along the intrathoracic pressure gradient. Abdominal breathing, which mainly involves the diaphragm, can simultaneously lower intrathoracic and increase intra-abdominal pressure, improving blood flow from the abdominal cavity to the heart and reducing blood stasis in the lungs.

Therefore, in order to prevent congestion in the chest cavity, if a person is forced to lie down for a long time or move very little, he needs to master abdominal (diaphragmatic) breathing. Periodically, you will also need to perform exercises to improve ventilation: inflating balloons, exhaling air with effort through a tube into the water.

Whatever muscles are involved in breathing, ventilation depends on the position of the body. In the vertical position, the right lung is better ventilated, the upper sections are worse than the lower ones. If a person lies, then those areas that lie below are better ventilated. In order to avoid stagnation, the body must move - first to one side, then to the other side, then to the back. Optimally, the lungs are “breathed”, and the mucus formed in the bronchi (it also becomes more viscous in immobilized people) is better coughed up when the person lies on his stomach. Also, this mucus, in which microbes are already present at the time of lying down, coughs up more easily if you tap on the back of a person lying on his stomach in a special way - to conduct a vibration massage.

If these features are not taken into account, then a decrease in the volume of ventilation, a more viscous mucus and a deterioration in blood circulation will lead to the fact that in poorly ventilated areas that are constantly at the top, inflammation will develop - pneumonia.

Vessels

Human vessels are elastic tubes in which the muscular layer is more or less developed. The blood flowing through the vessels is not quite an ordinary liquid, however, it obeys gravity. This means that in those areas where it must move against gravity, when lying down, stagnation occurs, like a swamp in which there are no fresh currents.

By "those sites" is meant the lower limbs, where blood must always overcome gravity, moving through the veins in order to reach the heart. Only in a healthy person, blood flow is provided by the "second heart" - the muscles of the lower leg. When the patient lies, the muscles of the lower leg and thighs lose their tone, there is nothing to ensure the outflow of blood from the lower extremities, as a result of such a “swamp” blood clots form in the veins of the legs. In this case, some attempt to stand up or strain (for example, when going to the toilet) can lead to the separation of a blood clot, which is able to quickly reach the lungs through the vein system and clog the vessels there. This is how a condition called "pulmonary embolism" arises, in the majority ending in death.

This can be avoided in bedridden patients by bandaging the legs with elastic bandages, especially before getting up to the toilet or to perform hygiene measures, as well as massage them, move them to the extent that the disease allows (optimally - perform a “bike”).

In addition to thromboembolism, with stagnation of blood in the lower extremities, a large volume of blood is turned off from the general circulation. Therefore, an attempt to stand up (especially abruptly) may result in loss of consciousness. This is called orthostatic collapse.

The work of the digestive system in bedridden patients

The functioning of the gastrointestinal tract depends in part on the work of the muscles of the body: with forced immobilization, the peristalsis of the stomach and intestines becomes lethargic. In addition, now a person who is conscious, with more or less preserved criticism of what is happening, is forced to walk more in an uncomfortable lying position, and at the same time resort to the help of other people. All this leads to constipation, and they, in turn, cause fecal intoxication (absorption of decay products into the blood). This is how bad breath, coated tongue, loss of appetite, constant slight nausea appear.

Constipation alternates with diarrhea. The latter are caused by violations of the diet, a decrease in the acidity of gastric juice, which makes it easier for various bacteria that cause intestinal infection to enter the gastrointestinal tract.

The solution to the problem lies in frequent fractional nutrition, dieting, when dishes are served warm, they are made from boiled or baked vegetables, meat, fish. The patient is fed soups without "frying", cooked on the second or third broth or without it at all, cereals. Smoked meats, fast food, salty and fried foods should not be given to a recumbent.

Muscle problems

The lack of full-fledged movements leads to relaxation of the skeletal muscles, a decrease in their mass (up to 3% of the volume of all muscles can be lost per day with complete immobility). This means that even if after a while it becomes possible to get up, it will not be possible to do this without outside help.

In order to prevent muscle atrophy, it is necessary to perform muscle massage, passive gymnastics, when a relative moves the patient's arms and legs.

Immobility and joints

As a result of prolonged immobility, the joints “wedge”: neither active nor passive movements become possible in them, the limb freezes in some position (this is called contracture). So, the foot is extended to the “on tiptoe” position, the hand becomes like a “bird's paw”, the knee practically stops bending and unbending. When a contracture has developed, when the damaged joint is involved, severe pain occurs, which is why many refuse to continue their studies. Then, between the bones of the bone joint, bone unions are formed, and it becomes motionless. This is called ankylosis.

In order not to develop either contractures or ankylosis, you need:

• perform passive and / or active gymnastics in all joints, while there should be no violent movements and pain;
• lay the limbs in the correct physiological position on the bed;
• when a contracture begins to form or the limb is paralyzed, a plaster splint is temporarily applied to it - so that the limb is forcibly in a physiological position.

Immobilization and the skeletal system

In bedridden patients, not only the blood supply to the skin and internal organs worsens, but the supply of nutrients to the bones also deteriorates. This is how osteoporosis develops - rarefaction of the main parts from which tubular bones are built - bone beams. This increases the risk of spontaneous fractures. In addition, the red bone marrow located inside the bone suffers. Because of this, the production of platelets decreases (this leads to spontaneous bleeding), leukocytes (due to this, immunity decreases) and red blood cells (anemia occurs).

Urinary tract in bedridden patients

Due to the horizontal position, urine stagnates in the kidneys, contributing to the formation of stones and their infection. It is also more difficult to hold urine while lying down, partly due to the reluctance to ask for help from others. The outflow of urine on the bed leads to the formation of bedsores.

Changes in the psyche and nervous system in bedridden patients

If before the illness that led to the fact that a person fell ill, he was already old and sick, then forced immobilization will not lead to a violation of his attitude to life, himself and relatives. But if the disease has laid down actively before that moving person, as a result of immobilization it comprehends:

• depression;
• insomnia, when even taking sleeping pills does not give a feeling of rest;
• irritability;
• loss of social behavior skills;
• hearing impairment (this is due to the fact that the patient is now lying, and those who communicate with him are sitting or standing);
• deterioration of mental activity;
• violations of the peripheral nervous system, because of which a person freezes more easily, feels significant discomfort when changing clothes, airing, and so on.

If the patient is forced to lie not for decades, but for several months (for example, as a result of a fracture), when getting up, he will stagger for a long time, which will require the use of crutches, handrails or walkers.

All these problems are especially aggravated by the care of a relative for a bedridden patient: if earlier he was willing to make contact, was friendly and accommodating, then during immobilization a person becomes demanding, capricious, whiny, accuses of inattention to his person. However, in order to improve the condition of a loved one and stop suicide attempts, relatives will have to pay attention to him, as well as install a baby monitor at his bedside so that the patient can call for help or can be heard if he decides to get up or use it for other purposes, for example, cutlery.

What happens to the skin

The integumentary tissue of a person forced to lie down for a long time becomes thinner. This also happens due to the lack of load on it, which in this case consists in stretching it and compressing it. More pronounced atrophy are those areas of the skin that are subjected to squeezing. Already after 2 hours of being in the same position lying or sitting, in those places that are above the bone protrusions or are pressed against the bed by the bones, those that are localized above the crease in the linen or directly on a hard bed, ischemia begins. Particularly affected areas of the skin, between which and the muscles there is very little fatty tissue, which is a kind of shock absorber. It:

• in the supine position: sacrum, heels, ischial tubercles, shoulder blades, elbows, occiput;
• lying on the back: on the side of the thigh, knees, on the sides of the ankles, on the lower shoulder, on the temple;
• lying on the stomach: on the pubis, cheekbones;
• on a hard bed or in a seated wheelchair: the area of ​​​​the coccyx and shoulder blades, heels, and when relying on the entire foot - socks.

Ischemia is aggravated if the skin is displaced from its normal position, if it is wet from sweat, urine, or not dried after bathing. Then diaper rash appears very quickly in the places of friction, then macerations, and pressure sores form in their place.

The task of relatives who have had a misfortune with a loved one is to pay maximum attention to each of the pathological factors, not allowing them to “raise their heads”. And in order to spend not so huge amounts on the treatment of a relative every month, then, no matter how much you would like to, you will have to start leaving even from the hospital. This should be done with the help of the medical staff of the intensive care unit, and then, upon discharge, continue at home. You will find step-by-step instructions for caring for bedridden patients in the hospital and at home below.

Features of inpatient care

When an accident occurs to relatives, as a result of which they - for a short time or for life - are bedridden, the first stage of care is usually a hospital. In order to have fewer health problems for your recumbent loved one in the future, you need to start caring for your loved one already at this stage, especially since now you can even be in the intensive care unit.

In this situation, there are not only disadvantages for caregivers, that they will have to (not everyone wants to do this) already now spend time, money and effort. There are also advantages, which are as follows:

• they will tell you what you need to pay attention to, how to properly wipe, bathe and feed a relative. This will further save money on the purchase of unnecessary drugs and accessories; time will also be saved for reading the necessary information on the Internet or waiting time for the district nurse / doctor;
• you will see and begin to navigate with the feeding of a relative: when he can only eat liquid food, and when it is already possible to grind it or allow the presence of pieces. This will help, if a person’s condition worsens at home, not to feed him with unsuitable food, which may cause blockage of the respiratory tract with food and death;
• you have time to get used to the idea that a relative has ceased to be as independent as before, and you can figure out whether you can handle the care on your own or have to hire a nurse;
• you do not see the suffering of a relative around the clock, there is time to relax mentally;
• a bedridden patient sees and feels the care of relatives; his depression due to the current situation does not add the feeling that he has become a burden.

Of course, the medical staff does not force a relative who has come to a bed patient to a hospital to take care of him. Given the poor medical supply of hospitals and the high cost of drugs, preference is given to bringing the necessary medicines to the patient. But the middle and junior medical staff caring for your relative is actually extremely busy. Nurses and caregivers have to care for several people at once, as well as fill out a huge amount of paperwork. This will not allow you to perform the necessary care procedures for your loved one in the required amount. Then the patient will be discharged, and all the consequences of the lost care will fall on your shoulders. To avoid this, it is better to allocate at least 1-2 hours a day (optimally - in the morning and in the evening) to provide the bed patient with the necessary procedures.

A feature of care in a hospital is the availability of aids to ensure the physiological needs of the patient. This is a feeding tube and a urinary catheter for urination. Most likely, you will not have such funds at home: they will be removed in a hospital so as not to create an opportunity for additional (through these tubes) penetration of infection into an already weakened body.

In addition, in the hospital, the patient has venous access, where the necessary drugs are administered. Before discharge, for the same reason as the tube with the urinary catheter, it will be removed. All the necessary drugs, already in agreement with a specialist (a neurologist - if a person has had a stroke, a cardiologist - if a heart attack), the patient will be administered by a nurse who comes to the house.

Home care - where to start

Caring for bedridden patients after a stroke or any other condition depends on how immobilized a person is, what social skills he has lost, how long he has not been engaged in them. However, there are many general rules, after reading which, you will understand what to do for you.

Accommodations

No matter how uncomfortable it may be, if you cannot afford several shifts of round-the-clock nurses with medical education, you will need to live in the same apartment / house with a bedridden relative. For him, you need to allocate a separate room, preferably on the sunny side, while the windows should be closed with blinds so that the light does not shine into the eyes.

There should not be a lot of furniture in the room, but looking completely like a hospital ward (only a bed and a bedside table next to it) is a wrong decision that causes nervous stress. Imagine yourself in a forced inactive position, on the bed, when the rest of the family is active and going about their business, and think about what you like.

If you do not expect that a person will be able to get up in the near future, it makes sense to immediately purchase a special bed. These are two- and three-section functional beds: the first option allows you to raise the headrest or legs, while the three-section design also allows you to bend your knees or give a person a semi-sitting position without his help. The second type of bed design is optimal for severe paralysis of a person, especially when he also has excess weight or urinary incontinence.

Place a nightstand next to the bed. If the patient moves a little, put a “spill-proof” with water, wet wipes, put the phone or (for the older generation) radio on the bedside table. Nearby may be a TV remote control or a book, a glass in which his removable dentures will be stored. Also on the nightstand should be a baby monitor or walkie-talkie, allowing caregivers to hear what is happening in the room, and so that a sick person can call.

The room should be ventilated three times a day, for 15-20 minutes; at this time, the patient should be covered with a blanket or duvet cover (the latter in the summer). A bactericidal emitter should be hung on the wall (preferably one that can be quartzed in the presence of a person without covering him with a blanket with his head). Wet cleaning in the room is a must.

If the patient can get up, even with assistance, place a toilet chair by the bed.

Put in the nightstand:

• thermometer;
• tonometer;
• antiseptics that treat the skin;
• cotton buds;
• cotton wool;
• alcohol;
• talc;
• camphor alcohol;
• diapers - if a person does not control his bowel movements.

Taken drugs can be put on the nightstand or in it only if you are sure of the mental health of your relative: that he will not exceed the dosage of drugs intentionally or not.

A ship or a duck can stand under the bed, if the patient feels when he wants to go to the toilet, and can call. A duck, that is, a device for men where they can urinate, can be hung (most have a special hook) on the old bed, if there is one (on the side where the patient does not get up).

If the patient has become not quite adequate, has lost his orientation in space, place or time, file the legs by the bed or constantly raise her former. In addition, remove all traumatic objects (sharp, cutting, piercing) from his room.

It is very important to maintain a decent moral condition of the patient. To do this, you need to go to him as often as possible and talk affectionately while you are taking care of yourself. At night, leave a night light that shines with a weak light, unless a relative asks to turn off the light completely: he should not feel abandoned.

Lying conditions

The patient should be dressed in soft clothes made of natural materials that will not have buttons, ties, fasteners or zippers - all that, when lying on it, will form unnecessary squeezing of the skin. It is optimal if there are no seams on the nightgown / T-shirt and shorts or they are located only in front.

The patient should lie on bed linen made of natural fabrics. At the same time, you need to make sure that there are no wrinkles under his back, and that he does not slide onto an uncovered bed. This is a direct path to bedsores. If the sheet often crumples, you can buy or sew one with an elastic band around the edges. So the sheet is put on the mattress. If a person has urinary incontinence, it is possible to lay him on an oilcloth, but he should not lie on a “naked” oilcloth. It is better to put a diaper on a person (it should also be straightened) and periodically give him a break from the urine-absorbing matter. Then it is better to lay it with the buttocks on a moisture-absorbing disposable diaper measuring 90 * 60 cm.

To prevent bedsores, the patient should be turned every 2 hours, or reminded to do it himself. If a relative is paralyzed and you have to turn him over, lay him down - whether on his stomach, on his side or on his back - so that he lies comfortably. Under the knees, if a person is lying on his back or under his knees, if he is lying on his side, you need to lay a pillow. If you have a relative laid on his side, place a pillow or several under his back so that he can lean on them. In the supine position, under the elbows and heels, put rubber small circles (such as circular expanders). You can also put a special circle under the sacrum. You can use anti-decubitus mattresses, which we will talk about later.

Every few days, or if the sheet becomes wet, it needs to be changed. In paralyzed patients, this should be done according to the algorithm:

1. turn the person on their side;
2. roll the sheet behind his back into a “tube”;
3. in place of the rolled sheet, lay a section of a clean sheet, also rolled up with a “tube” or folded “accordion”, unfold it;
4. turn the patient on the other side so that he, turning over, rolls over the roller of two sheets;
5. then you just have to pull out the dirty and straighten the clean sheet.

You can use another method:

• grasp the edge of the changeable sheet on which the patient lies, on one side of the bed, pull it so that the patient turns over on the sheet with his back to you;
• Throw the freed half-sheet over the patient from above;
• spread the new sheet evenly on the freed surface of the bed, and fold its end, intended for the occupied space, with a narrow (20-25 centimeters) accordion so that the opposite edge of the sheet looks away from you, i.e. into the back of the patient;
• return the dirty end and the patient to his back;
• turn the patient over to the other side by pulling on the other end of the sheet. She, like last time, lay on top of the patient;
• straighten the accordion. If the accordion was partially under the patient, then by pulling the protruding edge, you can dissolve the accordion and release the sheet without effort;
• straighten a clean sheet, and fold the end of a dirty sheet with an accordion;
• turn the patient from one side to the other and pull out the dirty sheet.

Do not forget to hold the patient all the time, the position on the side is unstable.

Hygiene measures

A bedridden patient must bathe, wash, comb his hair every day. If he can move on his own, he is taken to the bath, where they bathe in the shower, it is better if they use baby soap and baby shampoo for washing. After that, be sure to thoroughly blot the body with a gauze napkin or a soft terry towel, since going to bed with a wet body is fraught with the development of bedsores.

body wash

If the patient cannot get up, they wash him right in bed. For this, two basins for water, a support under the basin, a container for heated water, lotions, gels or foams for washing are used. An oilcloth is laid under the washed part of the patient's body, washed with a soft sponge, without unnecessary friction; after washing, dry thoroughly, apply moisturizers:

On places that are subject to friction - camphor alcohol. Only after the funds have dried, you can put a person on the bed, but it must also be dry.

Places that are rubbed or slightly reddened are treated not with ordinary soap, but with a bed care foam, for example, TENA Wash Mousse or Seni Care foam.

Washing head

To wash the head, a special inflatable tub with a pipe for draining water into a bucket is used. The head is raised, placed in a special hole in this bath, gently poured over with warm water and soaped. After washing the head, the soapy water is drained through the tube, and the head is washed with clean water, which is also poured out through the tube. Be sure to dry your hair with a towel and dry it with a hair dryer before laying the person on the bed.

Shaving

Shaving is performed as follows: shaving foam is applied to the face, a basin with warm water is placed nearby, where they will dip the razor from time to time. After removing excess hair, a moisturizer or lotion is applied to the skin.

Teeth cleaning

The teeth are brushed or brushed or, if the patient is unconscious, a latex pad with a brush is used, which is put on the finger (they are sold in the department of children's goods, for the care of babies). A paste is applied to the brush, which contains hemostatic and antiseptic substances. These are LACALUT active, SILCA Complete Sensitive, PerioTherapy Healthy Gums Toothpaste, PRESIDENT Sensitive pastes. They clean their teeth from all sides, tongue, inner surface of the cheeks. You can rinse your mouth with water, a solution of soda (1 tsp per 1 liter of water), a decoction of chamomile, calendula or oak bark. In unconscious patients, this is done with a rubber douche.

To wash the face of the patient use:

• TENA Wash Cream
• Seni care cream
• menalind professional care lotion

Do this morning and evening with a soft sponge. After washing off the washing solution, wipe the eyes with clean cotton pads: from the outer edge of the eye to the inner (so that there is no sagging of the eyelids).

hand washing

Hands are washed with the same detergents as the body. Before washing, each hand is immersed in a basin of detergent solution and treated with a sponge or foaming gloves. The interdigital space is especially cleaned - a large number of pathogenic microorganisms accumulate here. After washing, the hands are dried with a towel and a special care product is applied to the elbow area (as a rule, roughening of the skin is often observed on them) - Seni Care cream for dry and rough skin. After that, the patient's nails are trimmed and filed with a special nail file. Further, nail care is carried out as they grow.

Hygiene of intimate areas

It is carried out in the following sequence:

• a moisture-absorbing diaper spreads under the patient's pelvis;
• the diaper is removed;
• a soft sponge is taken with a gloved hand, dipped in water with a cleaning solution. It can be TENA Wash Mousse or Seni Care;
• the patient's legs move apart, bend at the knees;
• the perineum, genitals, and then the anus are washed in the direction from the pubis to the anus;
• washing solution is washed off;
• the washed area is dried with a specially selected soft towel;
• the patient turns on his side, his buttocks are also dried with wetting movements;
• Bepanthen-cream or Sudocrem is applied to the skin.

After each urination, women need to wipe the perineum with Seni Care wet wipes.

Foot hygiene

Feet are washed in a bowl of warm water. With a sponge or mitten, the caregiver should “pass” from the heels to the lower leg, washing away all the dirt, especially between the fingers. Next, you need to dry your feet with a towel, apply (especially on the heels) baby cream, baby cream mixed with vitamin A oil, Bepanten ointment.

Feeding, nutrition

The diet is prescribed by the attending physician and depends on the general disease and how much the chewing and swallowing skills have been affected. If the patient's consciousness is unclear, he does not answer questions or does it inappropriately, he needs either liquid, or boiled and rubbed food through a sieve or blender. If he is in a clear mind and adequate, he is fed with cereals, soups on the second broth, in which there are medium-sized pieces of vegetables. The daily diet is divided into 5-6 meals, it must be given strictly according to the schedule. Proteins in the form of soufflé, meat puree or steam cutlets must be required, otherwise protein-free edema will appear, over which the skin will tear, forming bleeding and poorly healing wounds. Water, compote, tea and non-acidic juices must be given, it is necessary to limit the liquid only in case of heart, kidney failure, cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Feed as follows. If the patient is not completely paralyzed, then with the help of pillows or raising the headrest of a functional bed by 30 degrees, he is given a semi-sitting position. A diaper is laid on the chest and fed from a spoon (you can put a special table, which often comes with functional beds, and if a person is able to serve himself, they put food in plates (possibly with suction cups), which should stand steadily on the table.

If the patient is paralyzed and it is not possible to give him an elevated position, then turn his head to one side, spread a diaper over his shoulder and feed him.

After feeding, wipe the patient's face with wet wipes, be sure to shake the crumbs off the bed.

Liquid is given from a drinking bowl or from a glass in which there is a cocktail tube.

Physiological departures

If the patient is able to get up and feels the urge to urinate and defecate, a toilet chair is placed near his bed, where he is helped to transfer if necessary.

If a person is unable to get up, but feels the urge to urinate and defecate, he is served a vessel (for women - for both types of physiological functions, for men - only for defecation) or a duck (for emptying the bladder in men.

If the patient suffers from urinary or fecal incontinence, he needs an adult diaper.

Massage

In order to avoid muscle atrophy, it is imperative to carry out massage - classic and vibration. Kneading, stroking and rubbing movements work out the muscles of the back and limbs so that it does not hurt. This should be done after massage oil is applied to the skin.

Vibration massage is performed after the patient is turned on his side. Camphor alcohol is applied to his back on both sides of the spine. Further, starting from the lower sections, a palm is placed on each section, which is lightly tapped with the fist of the other hand. So every day the lungs are worked out to prevent pneumonia.

Physiotherapy

It consists of passive and active movements in each joint. So, circular movements of the hand are performed, clenching and unclenching fists, bending the neck and turning the head, movements of the foot, knees, hips - to prevent contractures and treat paralysis.

In those joints in which a person cannot move, the caregiver helps him, while the rest of the patient must move himself. The main task of the caregiver is to encourage and remind of the need for physiotherapy exercises.

If contractures have developed, after performing massage and exercises, removable plaster splints are applied to the limbs (any rehabilitation doctor will tell you how to do them). The legs are then wrapped with elastic bandages. With varicose veins, the skin of the lower extremities is treated with Lyoton or Heparin gel in combination with Troxevasin gel.

medical problems

A bedridden patient needs to measure temperature and blood pressure daily. If the temperature is elevated, it is necessary to give "Paracetamol" or "Ibuprofen", and then call a doctor. If the pressure is increased (above 140/99 mm Hg), give 10 mg of Enalapril or previously prescribed drugs "for pressure".

Also, relatives are forced to record on paper:

• the amount of liquid drunk;
• volume of daily urine;
• frequency and nature of bowel movements.

If loose stools appear, blood is found in the urine or feces, the amount of urine decreases or it changes color and smell, and a rash or non-healing wounds appear on the body, you need to call a doctor.

bedsores

This is the name of ulcerative-necrotic defects of the skin and underlying fiber, which occur mainly with defects in caring for a bedridden patient. They also appear if he has been lying for quite a long time, and his psycho-emotional state has changed so much that he interferes with relatives in the implementation of care procedures. Bedsores are the #1 problem in bedridden patients. It takes not only time, effort and money from relatives, but can be complicated by suppuration, as a result of which blood poisoning (sepsis) develops quite quickly with damage to most internal organs.

The risk of developing ulcerative-necrotic defects increases significantly in the following cases:

• the presence of excess weight;
• if a person is severely malnourished, did not eat and drink enough;
• diabetes;
• smoking;
• pathology of the heart and blood vessels;
• incontinence of urine and feces;
• high body temperature;
• diseases or injuries of the brain or spinal cord;
• if you are allergic to bed care products;

as well as with such violations of care, when there are buttons, seams or folds on the bedding or underwear, dirt on the body (or the body is sweaty or wet), crumbs or small particles come across in the bed. Such patients especially need the prevention of bedsores, and with the slightest redness on:

• sacrum;
• knees;
• back of the head;
• temples;
• shoulder blades;
• heels and bones in front of the toes;
• elbows;
• shoulder joints,

you need to immediately begin treatment of bedsores (about him - below).

To prevent the development of necrotic changes in the skin

For the prevention of bedsores, care for bedridden patients should mainly include those activities that have been discussed in detail below. It:

• obligatory straightening of bed linen under the patient;
• food rich in proteins, iron, zinc and ascorbic acid: boiled chicken meat, chicken broth, dairy products, vegetables, fruits;
• seamless and buttonless underwear and underwear;
• changing position in bed every 2 hours;
• laying under the bone protrusions that rub against the skin, rings, bags of tissue filled, for example, with buckwheat husk or sand;
• timely change of diapers;
• daily bathing, after which a moisturizer is applied to the skin, and in places where there is redness - drying agents (for example, Sudocrem);
• massage;
• wiping the back and limbs with camphor alcohol;
• thorough wiping of the skin before laying the patient on the bed;
• periodically being without a diaper.

Treatment of bedsores

The optimal situation is to examine the skin of the entire body, especially in those places that are in contact with the bed or with each other, and take appropriate measures at the slightest appearance of redness. But this is not always possible, so below we will consider what stages of bedsores are and what to do on each of them.

For the treatment of stage 2 bedsores, you can also use the following algorithm:

1. Stop sweating into the wound fluid. This is done using trays with Delaskin or Baneocin powder. After such baths, the skin does not need to be blotted, wait for it to dry on its own.
2. After 2 days, local antimicrobial therapy is connected: Fuzikutan, Levsin, Levomekol, Iruksol.
3. On the 9th day from the start of therapy, agents that improve tissue repair are connected: Vulstimulin, Actovegin, Solcoseryl.

Thus, after a stroke, care for bedridden patients will require the acquisition of at least:

Hello. Today we will talk about what caring for bedridden patients at home is, what rules the relatives of such people need to know and follow so as not to harm them, and how in general it is possible to alleviate their fate for bedridden patients.

Impairment of consciousness in a patient can last for several days (for example, after a cerebral hemorrhage, or a severe traumatic brain injury).

The success of the treatment and the outcome of the disease will depend on how the care will be and how correct, how strictly all the doctor's prescriptions will be carried out.

Therefore, the main responsibility for caring for bedridden patients lies with relatives, and the condition of the patient depends on their actions. Carefully study the information in this article and, if possible, follow the general rules described in it.

Caring for seriously ill and bedridden patients at home - general rules

Requirements for the condition of the room

First of all, a person whose consciousness is disturbed needs absolute rest!

His bed should be comfortable, the mattress should be even, the linen clean, and the sheet dry and well straightened. To prevent its rapid contamination, you need to put a wide oilcloth on top, covered with a clean cloth (you can use a diaper).

The bed should stand so that it has access and can, if necessary, be quickly approached from both sides.

It is advisable to take out unnecessary things from the room and thoroughly ventilate it in the morning, evening and, if necessary, during the day.

In summer, you can open a window, in winter a window, after wrapping the patient warmly. The head should always be left open. The optimum temperature in the room is 17 - 19 degrees Celsius. It shouldn't be higher!

Requirements for the condition of the oral cavity of bedridden patients

2 - 3 times a day it is necessary to clean the patient's oral cavity. This is done as follows: tongue, lips, gums, teeth with a cotton swab, before wetting it in a solution of tea soda (0.5 teaspoon of baking soda per glass of warm boiled water).

After that, the mucous membrane of the mouth is lubricated with glycerin or any vegetable oil. If the patient does not swallow saliva, it must be removed with a gauze napkin so that it does not get into the trachea and bronchi.

In severely ill patients, vomiting can often occur, which is especially dangerous. It lies in the fact that vomit can easily enter the respiratory tract.

To prevent this from happening, when vomiting occurs, the patient's head is slightly raised and turned on its side, substituting a basin to the lips.

Bowel and Bladder Requirements

The intestines of a bedridden patient should be periodically cleaned. At home, this is done with an enema.

With urinary retention for more than 12 hours, the bladder is emptied with a catheter. This procedure should be carried out by specially trained nurses.

Requirements for the condition of the skin (how to avoid bedsores)

The main danger here is the formation of bedsores. Most often they are formed in places where the bone protrusion is covered only with skin and there are no muscles and fatty tissue. These places include:

1. shoulder blades
2. sacrum
3. elbow joints
4. heels

A bedsore usually begins with the formation of a red painful spot, which gradually turns into a superficial or deep ulcer.

To avoid bedsores, if the doctor allows, it is necessary to change the position of the patient in bed more often, turning him from one side to the other.

You should also wipe the skin more often, especially places where bedsores most often form. You can wipe it with vodka or camphor alcohol.

A rubber circle or a vessel wrapped in a soft cloth is placed under the sacrum of the patient, and small circles of cotton wool and gauze (in the form of a bagel) are placed under the shoulder blades, elbows and heels.

Sometimes, due to the lack of a blinking reflex, patients who are in an unconscious state may lie with their eyes ajar. In this case, gauze napkins are placed on the eyelids, soaked in boiled water and squeezed slightly.

They close the eyelids and hold in this position a narrow strip of adhesive plaster pasted on them. This helps prevent drying and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes and cornea.

2 times a day (morning and evening), the patient's eyes should be washed with a warm solution (1 teaspoon of boric acid per glass of boiled water).

Now, as for food. If the swallowing reflex is not disturbed, then the patient can be fed with a spoon. Food should be high-calorie and easily digestible (broths, cream, kefir, juices, pureed soups).

If the patient is not able to swallow food on his own, then there is only one way out - feeding through a tube. Here you will need the help of a doctor or a nurse, since you are unlikely to be able to carry out this procedure on your own.

Care products for bedridden patients

Below are the basic care products for people who are unconscious. You can find them at any pharmacy or order online. All these means greatly facilitate the life of the relatives of such patients and enable them to keep them clean and provide relative comfort.

Adult diapers

The Russian market has a huge variety of adult diapers of various brands and price categories. The most popular brands include:

• Super Seni Trio
• Moli Care
• Abri Form

Absorbent diapers

As a rule, these are disposable diapers of various brands. Sold in packs of 5 - 30 pieces. The most famous in the Russian market:

• Tereza
• Seni Soft
• Molinea Plus

urinals

The urinals are divided into:

1. for men and women
2. reusable and disposable
3. bedside and portable
4. one-component, two-component and three-component
5. drainable and non-drainable

The choice is also quite large and it is sometimes difficult for an ordinary person to figure out all the nuances. Therefore, before buying, it is advisable to consult a doctor who, depending on your case, will advise you on the model of the urinal.

Remedies for bedsores

There is a huge selection of medical cosmetics that can effectively deal with bedsores. Creams, ointments, gels, powders, special anti-decubitus pillows, etc. Your doctor will help you make the right choice.

colostomy bags

There are single-component and two-component colostomy bags. They are also distinguished by the type of bag. There are open type and closed type.

Means for washing bedridden patients

Here, too, there is an opportunity for rampant fantasy. Gels, tonics, sprays, oils, lotions of a wide variety of manufacturers and price categories. All means for washing bedridden patients are divided into:

• head wash products
• for skin cleansing
• to protect the skin
• devices for washing bedridden patients (all kinds of rubber baths and trays, etc.)

The need to care for a sick person who cannot get out of bed and needs the care and care of relatives and friends always makes us think about the need to acquire some skills to help cope with this difficult problem. How to organize proper care, using only your own strength? How to alleviate the suffering and worries of a loved one or a loved one? How to care for the sick so that they do not form on the skin? What care products should be chosen so as not to cause harm?

• gentle cleansing of the skin;
• effective and inflammatory reactions in the genital area, anus and in the natural folds of the skin;
• therapeutic measures that contribute to the restoration of the skin.

In this article, we will introduce you to these important aspects of bedridden care, and this information can help you avoid mistakes in this difficult and important matter.

Hygiene procedures

Hygiene measures for patients who are forced to spend a long time in bed should be carried out in the morning and evening. Doctors recommend doing them before breakfast and before going to bed, because it is these time intervals that are most favorable for performing such procedures.

To perform hygiene procedures, it is necessary to prepare the following hygiene products:

• two basins for water;
• inflatable bath for washing the head;
• pelvic support;
• jug for heated water;
• special cosmetics and devices for the care of bedridden patients: gels, foams, lotions, creams, foaming mittens and sponges (for example, Tena Wash, Seni Care, Menalind, etc.);
• medical and cleaning gloves;
• cloth and paper towels and napkins;
• rubberized diapers and disposable oilcloths;
• absorbent diapers;
• cotton wool;
• gauze napkins;
• cotton buds;
• special toothbrushes (if the patient himself cannot brush his teeth);
• items for haircuts, manicures, pedicures and shaving;
• male or female urinals;
• colostomy bags;
• circles, rollers or mattresses for the prevention of bedsores.

If necessary, other hygiene products can be added to this list:

• bibs for gentle feeding;
• diapers;
• urological and gynecological pads;
• dry closets;
• shower chairs or seats and bath rails;
• toilet chairs;
• devices for the care of stoma;
• disposable underwear and bed linen, etc.

A doctor can help determine the need for certain means for caring for a bedridden patient, since their range largely depends on the patient's diagnosis.

Before starting skin cleansing procedures, it is necessary to eliminate all possible sources of drafts and make sure that the air temperature in the room is at least 20 degrees. Such precaution when caring for bedridden patients is never superfluous, because as a result of illness, their immunity becomes weakened, and sharp fluctuations in temperature can lead to an exacerbation of chronic diseases.

In what order should the procedures be carried out?

Before carrying out hygiene procedures, it is recommended to put on the first pair of medical gloves and protect the bedding with absorbent or waterproof sheets and oilcloth. After that, the nightgown is removed from the patient and phased hygiene procedures begin.

Stage 1 - caring for the patient's oral cavity

If the patient's condition allows, then he can be seated on a chair or give his body a semi-sitting position. If the patient cannot change the horizontal position of the body, then his head must be turned to one side and with the help of cotton buds (pagavit) clean the buccal space from accumulated saliva and plaque. To facilitate the implementation of hygiene procedures for the oral cavity, you can use special disposable plastic spatulas, with which you can alternately and gently move the left and right cheeks.

To clean the teeth of a sick person, you can follow the same rules as for brushing the teeth of a healthy person, but the movements of the toothbrush in such situations should be more gentle and performed with the utmost care.

After completion of the procedure, it is necessary to rinse the patient's mouth with water or a hygienic solution (special solutions for rinsing the mouth, soda solutions, hydrogen peroxide, borax, etc.). To do this, you can use a rubber syringe and a soft tip or special rubber balloons to rinse the patient's mouth. When performing this procedure, the head must be slightly raised above the surface of the bed so that the liquid does not enter the esophagus and respiratory tract.

A special approach is also recommended for the choice of a toothbrush and paste for the care of bedridden patients. In most cases, in such patients, the oral mucosa becomes vulnerable and sensitive to the effects of hard bristles, and toothpaste should be selected in accordance with the age needs and characteristics of the patient's diagnosis.

• LACALUT active;
• LACALUT fitoformula;
• Parodontax;
• Parodontax F and others.

For patients with hypersensitivity of tooth enamel, the following toothpastes are recommended:

• SPLAT;
• LACALUT Extra Sensitive;
• PRESIDENT Sensitive;
• SILCA Complete Sensitive;
• Oral-B Sensitive.

• a series of DIADENT toothpastes: DiaDent Regular, DiaDent Active;
• PerioTherapy Healthy Gums Toothpaste.

For seriously ill children who are forced to lie down for a long time, it is recommended to choose toothpastes that are able to match their age and have the necessary properties that are determined by the diagnosis.

The duration of the use of therapeutic toothpastes for seriously ill patients is determined individually, since some of their active components with prolonged use can have a negative impact on the health of the oral cavity. After their use, the use of hygienic toothpastes is recommended.

After completing this procedure, it is necessary to blot the patient's lips with an absorbent napkin and apply hygienic lipstick or moisturizing balm to them, which prevents drying and cracking of the lips. For this, the following means can be used:

• EOS balm;
• lip balm BABE Laboratorios SPF 20;
• fatty oils: shea butter (shea butter), jojoba, cocoa, soybeans;
• hygienic lipstick "Morozko".

When choosing such balms and hygienic balm, you should definitely make sure that they are hypoallergenic.

Stage 2 - washing

To wash the patient's face, you can use the following solutions:

• washing cream Seni Care;
• washing cream TENA Wash Cream;
• EHAdez;
• washing lotion Menalind professional;
• Eleksi and others.

One of the above solutions is diluted in water and a sponge or hygroscopic glove is moistened in it. After that, the patient's face is wiped, and then proceed to the hygienic treatment of the eyes. It is recommended to use two wet cellulose disks for this procedure (a separate disk should be used for each eye). Movements in this case should be directed from the outer corner of the eye to the inner.

Cotton swabs can be used to clean the inside of the ears and ear canal. After that, using a damp sponge, it is necessary to clean the skin behind the ears, the neck, chest (including the folds under the chest), the surfaces of the sides and the stomach of the patient. In parallel with these actions, the cleaned areas of the skin are blotted with a well-absorbing cloth and covered with a towel (blanket) or put on clothes on the treated areas of the body.

After this, the patient is gently turned on his side and the back area is wiped with the same washing solution. The treated areas of the skin are dried with a towel and one of the means to protect the skin from bedsores is applied to them:

• body gel Seni Care;
• protective cream Menalind professional with zinc;
• protective body cream Seni Care with arginine;
• protective body cream Seni Care zinc, etc.

In the absence of contraindications, after the completion of cleansing the skin and applying care products, it is recommended to perform a percussion massage.

Sometimes, to wash the irritated areas of the patient's skin, you have to use special products that provide gentle cleansing of the skin. These include:

• TENA Wash Mousse;
• foam Seni Care, etc.

Stage 3 - washing hands

The same cleaning solution is used for washing hands as for washing the body. Each hand of the patient is alternately immersed in a basin with a washing solution and washed with a sponge or gloves. Close attention is paid to cleaning the areas of the interdigital space, since it is in it that a large number of pathogenic microorganisms often accumulate.

After washing, the hands are dried with a towel and a special care product is applied to the elbow area (as a rule, roughness is often observed on them) - Seni Care cream for dry and rough skin. After that, the patient's nails are trimmed and filed with a special nail file. Further, nail care is carried out as they grow.

Stage 4 - diaper change and hygiene of intimate areas

Before starting to clean this area of ​​the body, it is necessary to change the gloves for new ones and prepare a new washing solution.

• lay a waterproof diaper under the patient's pelvis (if the bed was not previously covered with a waterproof oilcloth with an absorbent sheet or an absorbent sheet);
• remove the diaper and wrap it in a bag;
• put on a mitten for washing or take a special soft sponge for treating intimate areas;
• moisten a mitten or sponge in a cleaning solution and wring out;
• spread the patient's legs and place them so that they bend at the knees, and the heels are as close as possible to the pelvis;
• treat the perineal area in such a way that the movements of the sponge are directed from the pubis to the anus;
• dry the crotch area with a soft towel (only a specially allocated towel or disposable absorbent diaper can be used for this);
• turn the patient on his side, wipe the body and dry the skin with a towel (special attention should be observed when drying natural folds);
• apply a protector (protective foam or cream) to the skin;
• take a clean diaper, unfold it, fold it lengthwise and carefully straighten the protective cuffs and fasteners;
• put a diaper on the patient.

To treat the perineal area, you can use wet wipes for intimate hygiene or cleansing foams. To do this, you can purchase the following tools:

• wet wipes Seni Care or TENA Wet Wipe;
• Seni Care foam or TENA Wash Mousse.

Step 5 - Foot Wash

To wash your feet, you should prepare a new washing solution and change the sponge or washing mittens. Further, the procedure is performed in the following sequence:

• wipe your feet with a sponge or washing mitt up to the ankle joint;
• dry your feet with a towel
• the patient's feet should be lowered into the pelvis and washed, paying close attention to the areas between the fingers;
• dry your feet with a towel;
• turn the patient on his side and apply on the back surface of the legs means to protect against bedsores;
• put the patient on his back;
• trim your toenails and trim their edges with a pedicure file.

After completing all the stages of washing the patient on rough skin (for example, on the elbows, heels or knees), you can apply special products to effectively soften them - Seni Care cream for dry and rough skin. Completion of hygiene procedures should end with putting on a shirt, giving the body a comfortable position in bed and, if necessary, placing rollers or special inflatable circles to prevent bedsores. After that, the patient should be covered with a blanket. In some cases, after the completion of hygiene procedures, it is recommended to carry out therapeutic measures (for example: treatment, prevention, etc.).

All the above stages of hygiene procedures for the care of a bedridden patient should be performed daily. Compliance with this rule always has a positive effect on the patient's condition and has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, preventing the appearance of bedsores and the development of infectious complications.

Washing head

Washing the head of the patient should be carried out as the hair gets dirty. To perform this procedure, you need to prepare the following accessories:

• a basin for washing (for this it is more convenient to use special inflatable bathtubs for washing your hair);
• pelvic support;
• a jug of water at a comfortable temperature;
• shampoo;
• oilcloth;
• towel;
• comb;
• scarf or hat.

The patient is laid on his back and a pillow is placed under the shoulders so that its upper edge is at shoulder level, and the head is slightly thrown back. A roller is rolled up from a towel and placed under the neck. The head of the bed is covered with oilcloth, on which a basin of water is placed.

When a loved one is seriously ill, his family faces a difficult task: to alleviate his condition as much as possible, to support, to surround him with care. It is important to know the basic rules for caring for a bedridden patient so as not to harm him.

Professional nurses and caregivers receive extensive training in the care of bedridden patients, but everyone who comes into contact with a bedridden patient should know the basic life hacks.

Basic rules for care

At home, the patient needs to provide comfortable conditions. You should give him a spacious, bright and noise-protected room.

Lighting is preferably moderate: not twilight, but not too bright light. The optimum air temperature is about 20 degrees.

The bed is placed with its head against the wall, so that it has access from all sides. This will facilitate turning, hygiene procedures, changing clothes and other manipulations necessary to care for a bedridden patient. It is better to purchase a special functional bed that supports all modern technological methods.

The bed where the patient will lie most of the time, and even constantly, should not be too soft. It includes:

• head pillow,
• light blanket,
• a sheet (preferably with an elastic band so that it does not wrinkle),
• special pillows for fixing the patient in the position on the side.

If necessary, the mattress is sealed with oilcloth.

It is necessary to regularly carry out the prevention of bedsores.

Next to the bed, a small table or bedside table, a wardrobe with things will come in handy. On the bedside table you can put drinking water, a lamp, a TV remote control, glasses, books and everything that the patient needs at hand. There will be no superfluous bell with which he can call for help. You can put medical and cosmetic preparations, hygiene products, a thermometer, a tonometer and other necessary devices in the drawer.

Life hacks for caring for a bedridden patient

Do not be afraid to use modern technological methods of caring for a bedridden patient: they will greatly facilitate care. The following tips will help you.

• Regularly measure pressure, temperature, watch for the slightest changes in facial expression, voice, skin condition, body odor, quantity and quality of bowel movements.
• Food should be homemade, complete, easily digestible, easy to chew and swallow. You need to feed in a semi-sitting position.
• Purchase a cup or use a straw if the patient has difficulty drinking from a cup.
• If the patient cannot go to the toilet on his own, stock up on adult diapers and disposable diapers. They are more comfortable and hygienic than the usual rags.
• Use cotton clothing with a minimum of fasteners.
• Ventilate the room regularly, use a humidifier if necessary.
• Dust and mop daily.
• Provide leisure: TV, radio, books.
• Another tip - always listen to the desires of your ward: what he wants to do, who he wants to see, what he would like to eat, etc.

An important rule is that the performance of all manipulations should be thought out to the smallest detail and be as convenient as possible for both the patient and the one who cares for him.

Nursing education

A professional nurse can teach you how to look after and care for a bedridden patient. It is not difficult, and does not require compulsory medical education. But it is not enough to get trained and learn the basic techniques, tips and technologies. One must have truly unlimited patience and a big heart in order to truly make life easier for one's sick or elderly relative, without falling into despair in his presence, without getting annoyed at his whims.

What is better: to undergo training yourself or to entrust care to a professional - it's up to you. In both cases, there are advantages and disadvantages. Of course, it is more pleasant for the patient to see a loved one next to him. But not everyone has such an opportunity, both physical and moral. In this case, contacting a nurse is the best choice.

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