Tag-Archive for » alternating pressure mattress «

Friday, July 22nd, 2011 | Author:

It is not easy to see a loved one end up in bed permanently due to an illness or old age; however, it happens a lot, and many people have suddenly found themselves in the position of caregiver without having any training or idea of what this new role will demand from them.

Most definitely, in-home care is the best kind of care a bedridden person can have if it is undertaken with love and commitment. This doesn’t mean, of course, that it is an easy alternative.

Bedridden patients who are cared for at home have many needs and require constant attention, which together with the normal activities around a house and of its members, can sometimes get beyond overwhelming.

Here we give you 17 tips to help you balance your life if you have assumed the role of caregiver to a loved one:

1. Always make medical and personal decisions founded on a solid base of integrity so that you are not troubled by second guessing later.

2. Be real about what’s happening today. Don’t imagine things are worse, and enjoy the good parts. Do not let images of what could happen control your life.

3. Be honest with family and friends. Talk regularly and be direct about what’s happening.

4. Expect and be ready for difficult talks. Family and friends will digest the news of an illness at different times; so, at first some may not understand the tension you are going through.

You have to explain the illness, treatment, side effects, etc. to them thoroughly, and maybe even meet with the doctor so that he can address questions in an accurate way.

5. Learn the medical language. This will help your work as a caregiver. Search the web for trusted websites where you can find accurate information, but always confirm it with the doctor to avoid worrying needlessly.

6. Get every item that can help you ease the work. Bedridden patients who can’t move by themselves must be moved at least every two hours to avoid bedsores, and this is an exhausting task.

Get a low air loss mattress, which will turn the patient automatically at established hours and will allow you to rest at night and do other things during the day. Equally, get a bath kit, which is especially designed to simplify bathing a bedridden patient. There are many other in-home care items that will make yours and your loved one’s life easier and happier.

7. Learn to listen and be compassionate, because your loved one’s mood may change abruptly due to their condition, and you have to understand this is only temporary and you shouldn’t take it personally.

8. Control what you can. Get help with household chores, with yard work, cook meals in advance, organize your bills and paperwork so that you know what you are spending, and plan your work.

9. Stop trying to control what you have no control over. You can’t change the reality of your loved one’s illness, but you can trust there is a reason for everything… even for this.

10. Rest. Find a comfortable spot at home where you can relax on a comfy chair surrounded by a nice and clean environment.

11. Cook comfort food with love. It will soothe everyone’s soul, will provide nutrition for healing, and will put a smile on your loved one’s face.

12. Enjoy life. Find new interests that you can enjoy with your loved one at home: play games, watch movies, listen to music, paint, and simply enjoy simple pleasures.

13. Write a journal. This gives you a private space to let it all out.

14. Envision the future. Even in the face of illness, we can grow, so don’t stop making plans.

15. Give to others. Give as much as you will receive during these difficult times: a comforting word, a prayer, or a distracting conversation, can make a person’s day when they are feeling low. Giving will make you feel spiritually and emotionally full.

16. Take care of yourself. Eat well, exercise, rest, and learn to say no. Go out from time to time to get energized.

17. Do not expect to be perfect. Caregivers have their low moments, and this is more than understandable. Do the best you can and let go of the rest.

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Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011 | Author:

If you’re taking care of a sick and bedridden loved-one, you’ll want to help them avoid the misery of developing bedsores. Sadly, every bedridden patient is susceptible to these sores.

In particular, it’s wise to note these 8 risk factors:

1. Elderly

In the elderly, skin is generally thinner and more vulnerable to developing sores. The reduced quality of skin and the blood vessels supplying it, can also mean they are more difficult to heal. If the elderly patient is in a nursing home, this risk factor also increases.

2. In a coma

Since a patient in a coma cannot move without help – and they are also not alert to respond to any feelings of pain and discomfort caused by pressure on their skin – they are more likely to develop bedsores. Similarly, other patients who are alert but still unable to feel pain in certain areas of their bodies, will not be aware if pressure sores are developing or feel the need to change positions in bed.

3. Poor diet

Poor diet leads to the body’s weakened state. In particular, it has been found that diets low in protein, Vitamin C and Zinc, all contribute to the patient being in a high-risk category for developing bedsores.

4. Low weight

It is common for the bedridden to lose weight. If a patient already has low fat and muscle content, their bones are closer to their skin and able to generate more friction while lying in bed. This friction results in bedsores.

5. Incontinent

A problem with incontinence means the patient has to endure periods of moisture in the lower part of their body. This moisture is something that leads to the break down of the skin – a perfect condition for a bedsore to form.

6. Certain illnesses

Patients who are diabetic or have vascular diseases which affect their circulation, will have problems with their blood-flow reaching certain areas of tissue. This tissue will then be prone to becoming easily damaged.

7. Smoking

The nicotine in a cigarette affects circulation and smoking also reduces the amount of oxygen in the body, affecting the body’s healing abilities.

8. Low mental awareness

Patients with low mental awareness are unlikely to take action against developing bedsores, such as turning themselves or informing a caregiver about areas of pain and discomfort.

If your patient or bedridden loved-one falls into any of these high-risk categories, the best course of prevention is to invest in a low air loss mattress system or alternating pressure mattress. These mattresses inhibit the development of bedsores by turning the patient’s body every few minutes, preventing areas of continuous pressure from developing and by protecting the skin against moisture and damage. If a patient is unaware of their need to change positions in bed, or just unable to, these mattresses eliminate the need for a caregiver to constantly turn their patient.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.volkner.com as the original source).

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Monday, June 13th, 2011 | Author:

Being bedridden is a predicament that can cause a lot of misery, both physically and emotionally. If you have the responsibility of taking care of a bedridden loved-one, you’ll want to do everything you can to make them feel as comfortable as possible, despite their circumstances.

These four essential tips will show you how to make your loved-one feel more comfortable in bed.

1. Hygiene

Ensuring the hygiene and cleanliness of your patient is an important part of your responsibility. It will also contribute to their feeling of wellbeing.

Allow your patient to bathe and clean themselves as much as possible, with your aid, on a daily basis. Alternatively, offer daily bed baths to refresh, cleanse and relax them. Make sure all parts of the body are thoroughly washed and then dried.

Brush their teeth as often as they request, wash and shampoo their hair and keep finger and toenails clean and trimmed. Apply moisturizers to dry hands and feet and help with make-up application or shaving needs if required. Use the bath and cleansing time to provide a back or foot rub to help stimulate your patient’s circulation and to also soothe and relax them.

2. Comfort while lying down

You don’t want your loved-one to feel any discomfort while lying down in bed. Ask them where they feel any areas of strain, e.g., their back or joints, and experiment with different lying positions – include the use of bed and pillow supports to find their most comfortable position. If you’re changing your patient’s position in bed, communicate as much as you can to help them co-operate and anticipate your moving them.

Sometimes a draw sheet and an extra helper may be needed to move the patient. If possible, purchase a hospital bed that allows the patient to lie and sit up in varying positions of comfort with the touch of a button.

3. Changing the bed

Aim to change your patient’s bed linens as often as possible – daily being ideal. If they become soiled, it is a priority to change linen immediately, without delay. Placing a protective draw sheet across the middle of the bed can make changing soiled sheets easier, as can using waterproof coverings (along with a cotton pad for the patient’s comfort). If the patient is still in bed when changing the sheets, make half of the bed at a time, rolling the patient to each side as the other is being made.

4. Alternating pressure mattress

Invest in a good alternating pressure mattress to prevent your loved- one from developing painful bedsores that could further affect their health and comfort. An alternating pressure mattress is a mattress that is filled with segregated air cells. These cells are alternately filled with air or partially deflated via a pump, so that no areas of continuous pressure are placed on the patient’s body. As well as preventing bedsores, these mattresses help heal existing sores and also avoids the need for the patient to be moved manually every few hours.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.volkner.com as the original source).

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Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 | Author:

If you’re caring for someone who is bedridden or prone to pressure sores – or even if it is you who is susceptible to these distressing wounds – it’s essential to know how to look after them if they develop. Thorough and informed care of pressure sores will help them heal faster, prevent complications caused by infection and keep them from causing you further discomfort.

Follow these essential tips for caring for a pressure sore:

1. Cleaning

- Ask your health care professional for their advice before attempting to clean a pressure sore. Use the right methods, equipment and cleaning solutions according to their recommendations.
- Clean the sore each time you change the dressing.
- Be careful not to apply too much pressure to the sore when cleaning so that you damage healing tissues. On the same note, apply sufficient force so that the wound is properly cleaned.
- Do not use antiseptics such as hydrogen peroxide or iodine. These can damage sensitive tissue.
- In general, Stage 1 sores can be washed and kept clean with mild soap and water. Be careful not to use a soap that has any ingredients which could be irritating to the skin or wound. Saline solutions are used to treat Stage 3 sores – the saltwater helps to remove extra fluid and loose material.

2. Removing dead tissue and debris

- This is often a painful procedure so consider giving the patient a painkiller 30 to 60 minutes before you begin.
- Consult your health care professional before attempting to remove any dead tissue or debris yourself. At times, they may recommend the removal procedure is carried out by a medical professional.
- Rinsing the sore before each dressing change will help prevent a build up of debris.
- Ask your health care professional about which removal method is best for the type of sore being treated. The most common ones are  (i) wet-to-dry dressings which are applied when moist but dries to pull off dead tissue and debris once removed, (ii) enzyme medications which dissolve dead tissue, (iii) special dressings which encourage the body’s natural enzymes to dissolve dead tissue over a number of days.

3. Dressing the sore

- Sores should be kept covered with a bandage or dressing. These should be changed regularly.
- Always seek your health care provider’s advice and recommendations about which dressings to use. Allow them to watch you dress a sore so you know you are using the right methods.
- If using gauze dressings, keep the gauze moist and change at least once a day. Dried our gauze can pull away skin tissue.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after each dressing change. Use disposable gloves if needed.
- Use each dressing only once. Once finished with, a small plastic bag like a sandwich bag can be used to lift the dressing off the sore and to then discard and throw away the dressing.
- Check the dressing will stay in place when the pressure sore patient moves or changes position.
- Choose the right type of dressing or bandage for the sore. These include moist gauzes, film (see-through dressings) and hydrocolloid dressings which mold to the sore and promote healing and skin growth.
- Store and care for the dressings so they are kept clean. Discard dressings if any become wet or dirty. Only remove dressings from their box when they are needed for use.

For best prevention of bedsores, change the position of your patient every two hours and invest in a mattress overlay which will prevent bedsores from developing.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention our Pressure Mattress website as the original source).

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Monday, August 16th, 2010 | Author:

Being a care-giver to a loved-one can be a challenging and difficult task if you’re unprepared for the physical and emotional demands it can make on you. On the other hand, it can also be a very rewarding role – especially if you have some good guidelines to help you be the best care-giver you can be. Here are 6 essential rules that will help you on your way:

1.Take pride in your role
Before you become a care-giver, define the reasons you have chosen to become one, e.g., you might feel you’re able to offer your loved-one better care than they might receive from an institution or you may believe you can help your loved-one’s healing process. Whatever the reasons, recognize how important a nurturing, understanding and loving care-giver is to a patient. Know the value of your role and don’t lose sight of the reasons why you became a care-giver – this will help you receive more satisfaction from what you do.

2.Don’t help too much
Sometimes, it’s unhealthy to do too much for your loved-one. Most patients would rather be in a position where they can help themselves. Establish which tasks your loved-one might be happier doing on their own, e.g., brushing their hair or choosing what to wear. Allow them to have a say in how they are cared for, too – ask their opinion and allow them to be part of your decision-making process. Respect your loved-one’s dignity and treat them how you might want to be treated if the roles were reversed.

3.Resources
Make the most of resources in your community which may help you have a much-needed break at times, but could also make your job much easier. These resources could include respite care, hospice programs, adult day-centers and nurse assistants. You can also make use of support groups for care-givers to ensure you have good emotional support yourself. These can be found online or locally.

4.Care for yourself
The best care-giver is one who is healthy, happy and physically able to provide the care needed. It’s easy for care-givers to neglect their own needs and become depressed, run-down and ill themselves. Make time for yourself – for the things you enjoy  – like spending time with friends or going to a movie. Also, never neglect your own health – having regular and balanced meals and exercising regularly will help you stay in good physical condition and help you beat stress, too.

5.Learn as much as you can
Take the time to talk to your loved-one’s health care adviser about their condition or illness. Ask them questions if there is anything you are unsure about or don’t understand. Also, use the library or online resources to research and understand more. This will help you anticipate your loved-one’s medical needs and the best ways to encourage healing or provide comfort.

6.Enlist as much practical support as you can get
If a family member or friend asks if they can lend you a hand, don’t be afraid to say yes. Care-giving is a demanding role and it’s good to accept all the help you can get. Also, find out about practical aids that can make your daily tasks easier and support the comfort of your loved-one. These include toileting, bathing and dressing aids and also products such as an alternating pressure mattress that prevents bedsores for the bedridden.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention our Pressure Mattress website as the original source).

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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 | Author:

Comfort and prevention of pressure sores are of utmost important to maintaining good health for bedridden patients or those with restricted mobility.  One of the best ways to provide the best in comfort is to provide the patient with an alternating pressure mattress that ensures regular movement and change of position to reduce stress on various body parts that might be susceptible to bedsores. In addition to these innovative mattresses, the bedding and other accessories you use can enhance their comfort level even further.

One of the almost luxurious items that a caregiver might consider for a bedridden patient is a set of organic cotton sheets. Organic cotton is extremely soft and chemical free which is a real plus for sensitive skin.  Organic cotton, unlike synthetics and polyesters, is also more effective at absorbing moisture from the body which is a very important aid in preventing bedsores.

Other accessories which can also increase patient comfort are made from all natural sheepskin.  In previous years, sheepskin was not used as extensively due to its inability to absorb enough moisture and be disinfected properly.  Today, new developments in the product have solved these issues and sheepskin is being widely used in hospitals and rest homes everywhere.

Like organic cotton, wool sheepskin is hypoallergenic which means it too is very gentle on sensitive skin.  In addition, the sheepskin also contains natural oils which also aid in good skin health.  The soft, springy coils of wool create a cushion that conforms to the body part that it comes in contact with thus reducing friction.  And, although to look at sheepskin, it appears as though it would make a person warm, the opposite is actually true.  The density of the sheepskin allows air to circulate continuously between the fibers, and as a result, everything stays very cool.  This natural temperature control means patients sweat less and as a result, the skin remains much drier.  Sheepskin can actually absorb up to 33% of its original weight without feeling wet.  Keeping the skin cool and dry is the first step in preventing the breakdown of skin tissue.

There are many products available in sheepskin that are used in the care of those who are bedridden or confined to a wheelchair, that provide relief and support for specific areas.  For example, there are sheepskin boots and slippers to protect the heels, overlay that go on top of a mattress, and seat cushions and backs for placing in wheel chairs.

When purchasing sheepskin products for home care of a bedridden patient, be sure to keep and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for washing and drying the product.  Sheepskin can shrink or get very matted if not washed properly.  It is generally recommended that you use only a product designed specifically for cleaning medical sheepskin.  Many of the best ones contain tea tree oil which is a natural disinfectant.  Air drying is recommended for sheepskin as an electric dryer will be too hot and will shrink the fibers.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention our Pressure Mattress website as the original source).

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Friday, June 11th, 2010 | Author:

Along with providing the proper alternating pressure mattress and providing diligent care of the patient, early detection is one of the best means of preventing serious incidents of pressure sore development.  Once a patient’s daily routine and situation is well established, a secondary treatment regime to consider is application of a few simple home remedies to further enhance the patient’s care.  Naturally, you should always consult with your health care professional before beginning any kind of treatment, but if you have a loved one who is bedridden and at risk of developing pressure sores, here are a few home remedies that may help:

Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is an all natural and very gentle cleanser for wounds that soothes irritated skin and helps promote healing.  Aloe Vera is readily available as a gel or cream in pharmacies and department stores.  Aloe can also be taken directly from the leaves of an aloe plant that can be grown indoors.

Honey
Some people believe that dressing a small pressure sore with a bandage coated with raw honey helps to remove toxins from the wound and promote healing.  Natural honey contains many natural healing elements and has been used in home medicine for centuries.

Papaya Milk
Applying a compress soaked in papaya milk is believed to help the formation of new skin and speed the sloughing off of dead skin around the wound.

Vitamins
Additional supplements of vitamins A, C, D should be added to the diet in proper amounts for the patient according to their health and underlying conditions.  Moisturizing creams that contain Vitamin E should be applied to the body to keep the skin healthy and supple.

Fiber
A diet rich in fiber helps skin cells to reproduce and thus help in the healing process.  The repair of broken down tissue and muscle is far more efficient when the diet is rich in fiber dense foods such as beans, lentils, bran and plenty of fruits.

Comfrey Leaves and Elm
Homeopathic remedies may help in the treatment of pressure sores, but should never be used without the guidance of a knowledgeable health care professional.  Common homeopathic treatments include compresses made from equal parts slippery elm and comfrey leaf powder that are applied to the sore overnight.

Water
Staying hydrated is vital to good health at all times, but is especially important for the bedridden or wheel chair confined patient who is susceptible to pressure sores.  Dry skin increases the potential for skin irritation and slows the body’s ability to heal.  Patients should be encouraged to drink six to eight glasses of water per day.  Beverages containing caffeine such as coffee, tea and cola should be limited as they can increase the chance of dehydration.

Massage and Movement
Gentle massage is not only relaxing and soothing for the patient who can’t get up and move around, it also helps improve blood circulation for better skin health.  Helping the patient to change position regularly is also imperative for the prevention of pressure sores and the patients comfort in general.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention our Pressure Mattress website as the original source).

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Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 | Author:

Many people may not realize it, but the mattress you sleep on at night plays a major role in the quality of sleep you get throughout a lifetime.  Sleeping on the wrong mattress can be terrible for your back and terrible for you overall health in the long term.  Sleeping on the wrong kind of mattress may be causing you prolonged back pains, muscle weakness, muscle tightness, fatigue, as well as sleepless nights.  Many people may be sleeping on the wrong mattress and not even know it.

When shopping for a suitable mattress, many things must be considered.  You need to understand what exact type of mattress you’re looking for, what type of mattress quality you’re seek, and what you are looking accomplish, if anything, with your back and spine health needs.  When you can clearly answer all these questions, then you are on your way to finding the best mattress for you.  Do you have any lingering health or back problems that may be caused by an improper mattress you once used?  Does your back need more support than others, or would a zero density foam mattress be too light for your sleeping needs?

When shopping for a mattress, always remember that quality is king.  The higher the quality mattress you buy, the longer it will last as well as bring you higher levels of support and comfort.  However, higher quality does not always mean more expensive, so make sure to do your research first when finding the highest quality mattress to meet your needs.  You also need to make sure you’re clear about the correct size of the mattress you’re looking for, as well as whether you’re looking for a soft, medium, to hard density type of mattress.  If you’re suffering from poor posture and associated back problems, a harder density mattress might be better for you, while someone with stiff back problems may find a lower density foam mattress more to their liking.

However, one of the best mattresses out there today that is great for a wide assortment of back problems and provides great spine support is an alternating pressure mattress.  An alternating pressure mattress may come in many different shapes and sizes including foam and other viscoelastic space age materials, that alternate pressure throughout the mattress to give you the most amount of comfort and pressure possible.  This kind of mattress is great for people who may have long, lingering back problems, and nothing seems to work just right.  Alternating pressure mattresses are also great for the elderly and the bedridden who may be stuck in their beds for long periods of time.  This mattress can provide extra comfort and relief as well as help to prevent ulcers and blood boils that may form from long periods of inactivity.

The most important thing to remember when shopping for the right kind of mattress is that everyone is different, with different shapes and sizes, and no two individuals’ back health will ultimately be the same.  By first properly understanding your own back care needs, then doing the appropriate research involved, you will better be able to understand the kind of mattress you need to be sleeping on.  If you’re going to spend one-third of your life on some form of mattress or another, make sure it is the best possible mattress for you.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention http://www.volkner.com as the original source).

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Friday, May 21st, 2010 | Author:

A major question floating around today amongst mattress consumers is what the best type of mattress available today is.  Pretty much, what is the best mattress in the business, the best mattress money can buy?  While this may seem like a simple question, the answer is found to be much more complex.  While there has been top of the line to low quality mattresses ever since they invented mattresses, this doesn’t always mean the most expensive mattresses are really the best mattresses overall.  More importantly, are these mattresses guaranteed to last, and stand the test of time, or will they just fall apart within the first 3 years?

When trying to find the best mattress in the market, many things have to be considered.  While mattress prices range from lower to higher quality, the most expensive mattress does not always mean it is the mattress with the highest quality.  Different mattresses are built to serve different needs, and certain mattresses may be more expensive than others just based on the different kinds of needs they provide. Some bariatric mattresses for instance, may be made to fit a particular person, or larger individual, but might rank up there in price.  However, when it comes to quality, therapeutic alternating pressure mattresses are typically the best you will find out there.

Therapeutic alternating pressure mattresses are not only great for the elderly, disabled, and overweight, they are also excellent for anyone concerned with having the highest quality of sleep possible.  Anyone who wants a good and healthy night’s sleep will benefit from a good therapeutic alternating pressure mattress.  Therapeutic alternating pressure mattresses work by distributing body weight throughout the bed, eliminating stress and strain from different parts of the body at the same time.  This allows the entire body to relax, eliminating pressure from different parts of the body that may not be getting enough oxygen while you sleep.

Not only are therapeutic alternating pressure mattresses some of the best mattresses in the market today, they are also some of the most durable.  Normal mattresses are said to last 7-10 years at the most, while a good therapeutic alternating pressure mattress can last anywhere up to 40 years.  Also, high quality alternating mattresses do not typically wear down over time like many traditional mattresses do, and typically keep the same shape and mattress density throughout the entire lifecycle of the mattress.  This will not only give you a mattress that you can rely on for years and years to come, but it will even save you money in the long term.

While there are so many different types of mattresses available today, what ultimately constitutes a great mattress is one that has your particular health needs in mind.  While an alternating pressure mattress may be the best mattress for some people, it may not be the best choice for others.  The best thing you can do is to consult with a knowledgeable expert to discuss your particular back sensitivity, or your therapeutic needs, and what would be the very best type of mattress for you.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention http://www.volkner.com as the original source).

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Thursday, May 13th, 2010 | Author:

Anyone who is bedridden and suffers from Alzheimer’s has 10 vital needs that must be met by his or her caregiver to ensure they remain as healthy as possible:

1.Prevention of skin decay and pressure sores
Bedridden patients must be re-positioned regularly to prevent bedsores from forming.

It is easier to prevent pressure sores than to heal them, thus get the help of an alternating pressure mattress to move the patient regularly, or move him or her yourself at least every two hours, from left to right, to release the pressure in certain body areas.  If you are moving the patient, use pillows to support the position.

A balanced diet and the ingestion of lots of liquid will help keep the bedridden Alzheimer’s patient’s skin healthy.

2.Getting out of bed for some hours every day
Every bedridden patient should leave the bed for a few hours every day.  Now, there is equipment available to help any caregiver get the most severely disabled person into a chair.

Sitting for a while helps relieve pressure spots, especially on the back, shoulder blades, back of the head, and hips.

3.Learning to do passive movements
This is necessary to prevent joints from seizing, and thus, caregivers must learn how to do this.

Passive movements have to do with moving the joints without the patient exerting any effort.

4.Eating and drinking well
It is normal for bedridden patients not wanting to eat or drink, because they usually have poor appetite, find it hard to swallow, are depressed, and feel sick.

A dietician may give you good advice as to how to choose the best diet for a bedridden patient, what food supplement drinks are good, how to liquefy foods, and what feeding aids may help you.

5.Keeping mouth, eyes, ears, and general hygiene levels high
Bedridden patients must be cleaned regularly, especially if they suffer from incontinence.

Do not forget to take care of the mouth and teeth.

Let the patient use glasses or hearing aids until these become uncomfortable or dangerous.

6.Dealing with incontinence
At some point, Alzheimers patients will suffer from urinary and/or fecal incontinence.  The caregiver must train to be able to take care of these episodes in a way that is comfortable for the patient.

There are many products today that help in these situations.

7.Lowering the risk of injury
If the patient tends to fall, put his or her mattress and springs on the floor.

Make sure you use the right support and bed cot sides.  Avoid using restraint unless it is an emergency.

8.    Massaging and touching
Massages soothe and relieve pain.  The caregiver must massage the patient’s arms, hands, and legs with oil or moisturizer.  This will improve the skin’s condition, and will prevent dryness and irritation.

Touching the patient with care is very important to reassure the person that someone cares for him or her.  Comb or stroke their hair with love, and hold their hand while talking to them.

9.Focusing on what they enjoy
A bedridden patient must have regular activities.  Talk to them, show them pictures, play music, or read to them.

Try to maintain the activities you know they loved.

Try to take them outdoors to breathe fresh air and feel the sun on their skin.

10.Giving them a view
Locate their bed near a window with a nice view, but make sure the sun and heat do not hit them directly during the day.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention http://www.volkner.com as the original source).

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