Pavanmukta Asana, or the Wind Releasing Posture, is a yoga posture that is perfect for bedridden patients, whether they can do it by themselves or with the help of their caregiver.

The Posture

This posture is easy to perform, and people of every age can practice it.

While lying on the back on a firm surface, ask the bedridden patient to keep the palms down and close to the body.  Bring the heels and toes together and keep them loose.  The whole body must be straight and the patient must look up to the ceiling and breathe normally.

-Lift one knee up towards the patient’s chest.

-Pull the knee towards the chest and stomach without pulling the ankle.

-In that posture, ask the patient to relax all the muscles and continue to breathe normally.  Maintain the posture for 6 to 8 seconds.

-Release by returning the leg back to its original position.

-Repeat with the other leg, pressing against the chest and stomach.

The Benefits

The foot and calf asanas activate the inert lymph and venous blood.  These alleviate tiredness and cramps, as well as prevent venous thrombosis, especially in bedridden or post-operative patients.

This posture, specifically, activates the pancreas and other organs within the abdomen, and alleviates wind trouble and acidity.  It also loosens the hip joints and stimulates the abdominal muscle and intestines, eliminating constipation and correcting any stomach breakdown.

Pavanmukta Asana is a posture that complements the effects of a low air loss mattress in permanently bedridden patients.  Its objective is also to activate important parts and organs in the body, which are compromised due to the regular lack of movement.

Pregnant women should not practice this posture, and people who have had belly surgery, or suffer from hernia and piles, should talk to a yoga expert before performing it.

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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.

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Giving a bath to a person who is bedridden is an activity that has to be learned properly in order to ensure the comfort and safety of the patient.

There are easy techniques we can learn to care for our bedridden loved ones in an effective and loving way. The last thing we want is to cause them harm, thus, we must be very careful when moving them while giving them a bed bath, and we have understand that we will be bathing the person by body parts, not the whole body at once.

Here’s what you should do to bathe a bedridden person so that he or she feels truly clean:

1.Always keep the person’s bottom very clean, so that when bathing time comes, this body part is easier to take care of.  Every time there is an incontinence incident, and after every bowel movement, wash the area thoroughly.

2.Get a small bathtub and fill it with warm water.  You will need five washcloths and five small towels to clean the whole body, because these will be changed frequently to keep the water clean.  You want the dirt to stay on the cloths, not the water.  You can put a small amount of liquid soap into the water, but just a couple of drops so that it doesn’t feel soapy.

3.Adjust the room temperature and get rid of drafts so that the person is not cold.  When the water gets cold, change it to ensure it always remains at a nice warm temperature.

4.Ensure there will be complete privacy while you are bathing your loved one, do not take any phone calls during the process, and focus on the person.

5.Expose body parts as you will be washing them, keep the rest covered to avoid chills.

6.Be cheerful as you bathe the person, talk to them, put some music on if they like it, and treat him or her as you would like to be treated.

7.To begin the bath, put the person on his or her back and expose the upper part of the body.  Wet the washcloth with warm water and rub it on the patient’s face and neck, then, dip a towel into the water, squeeze the excess of liquid, and rub to rinse these body parts.  Get another towel and dry them thoroughly.  Discard the washcloth and rinsing towel; you can use the drying towel again.

8.Repeat the procedure above to wash the arms, hands, and chest, and when you’re done, cover them with a blanket to keep the person warm.

9.Next, turn the person to one side and wash the back with circular movements, following the same routine as before.  After drying the back thoroughly, put the patient back in bed.  Right now may be a good time to change the water, since it may have gotten cold.

10.It’s time to move to the lower part of the body.  Start by washing the legs and feet in the same way you washed the arms and hands, and after drying thoroughly, cover them right away.

11.The last body part you should wash is the bottom.  Use the same procedure as for the rest of the body, and cover as soon as you’re done.

12.Put clean clothes on the person, change the bed sheets, and position the patient comfortably over a low air loss mattress to stimulate circulation in his or her body.

This bathing technique uses a very small amount of water and maximizes the caregiver’s time while making the bedridden person feel refreshed and comfortable.

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Many people are bedridden due to a disease or other medical condition, and they are commonly not able to perform normal everyday physical activities.

After surgery, there are patients who may have to remain in bed for long periods of time during their recovery, and other people may have disabling diseases or injuries that may chain them to a bed for years or even their whole life.

This is not easy to accept and deal with. Besides the obvious frustration and sadness these people feel in the face of their condition, they have to learn to function effectively and normally again while remaining in bed. They have to learn to be independent, and in many cases, they have to learn to welcome the help of others.

These 8 products are essential to help bedridden patients simplify many of the normal complications they face in their daily life and also to help ease the job of the caregivers:

1.Hospital beds and accessories
These are the most basic products a bedridden patient needs.  The bed is the main element in the patient’s care environment, be it at home or at other types of caring facilities.

A hospital bed helps position the patient and keeps him or her safe, which is not possible with a normal bed.  There are fully electric and semi-electric models that are easier for patients and caregivers to control.

Over bed tables are a very popular accessory used with the bed.  Their height is adjustable; some models have a tilt-top, others have two stages, and still others are of low height range.

2.Pressure relief mattresses
The pressure mattress or low air loss mattress is indispensable to prevent and heal pressure sores, which are the most common complication bedridden patients experience.

Anyone who has to remain in bed or on a wheelchair for long periods of time can get pressure sores.  These are injuries caused by unrelieved pressure that hurts the skin and its underlying tissues by squeezing minute blood vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients to the skin.

Pressure relief mattresses are very effective in helping heal and prevent these injuries and in easing the care giving process considerably.

3.Patient lifts
These are the most common transfer tools used by caregivers to easily and safely move someone who has lost his or her body movement capabilities.  They can be driven mechanically or electrically, and help avoid the risk of injury both for the patient and the caregiver.

4.Wheelchairs
These are the best tools for patients to move independently, even if it is only for a few hours.

5.Patient alarms
Bedridden patients easily fall when trying to leave the bed or chair, or when taking a shower.  In order to prevent this from happening so often, patient alarms have been designed to monitor patients and alert caregivers when immediate help is required.

6.Shower wheelchairs
These solve the personal hygiene needs of patients with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities.  They are designed to make the person as independent as possible; thus, they can be used over the toilet and in the shower.

7.Personal care
There are countless options of personal care products for bedridden patients.  Among the best we can count:
-Personal massagers
-Incontinence pants
-Massaging foot spas
-Steam inhalers
-Foot care
-Inflatable bath pillows
-Water bottles
-Self-wipe bathroom toilet aids
-Heel and elbow protectors
-Disposable liners
-Bed pans
-Limb holders
-Mealtime protectors
-Temperature monitors
-Cast and bandage protectors
-Male and female urinals
-Instruction cards
-Wetness alert devices
-Wraps
-Ice bags
-Neck rests
-Hair rinsers
-Bed shampoo kits
-Protective helmets

8.Air chairs
These can be used as wheelchairs or can turn any chair into a pressure relief system to help prevent pressure sores while sitting.

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Very often, family caregivers realize they need help to take good care of their elderly loved one and with the rest of their responsibilities at work and at home.  Nevertheless, it is not easy to leave someone you love in the hands of a stranger, because you never know if they will care as much as you do.

Here we give you 10 questions you should ask the homecare provider you are considering hiring, to ensure they will offer the best care and human quality possible:

1.How long has (company name) been in business?
The longer a home care provider has been active, the easier it will be to check their references and reputation through the Better Business Bureau, with local senior and healthcare service providers, at church, and talking to friends and family.

Good providers show higher staff retention rates, and so, their caregivers are more experienced and better trained.

2.Can you share with me information about your services and fees?
Besides helping you compare services and fees, the quality of the materials they give you will offer hints as to the attention the company pays to the details of its business.  Remember to ask for references too.

3.How do you choose your caregivers?
The best providers employ caregivers who have enough experience and training but also a gift to serve and care for others.  There is no gain in having a very experienced person if he or she is not compassionate and loving.

An agency must check and interview the candidates for criminal and other background information, for personality evaluations, interviews, and reference checks.

The provider must offer training for the caregivers who pass the screening process, and should ask them to follow a training plan to continue developing their skills.

4.Are the caregivers bonded and insured?
A serious provider will have coverage to protect your loved one and your family.  They should carry professional and general liability insurance; they must bond their employees and cover them with workers’ compensation.

5.How are the caregivers supervised?
The provider must perform regular quality assurance calls and visits to ensure their caregivers are offering the best care possible.  To be more certain, they should be thoroughly supervised by a certified company representative.

6.Will you do a home evaluation before starting the services?
This is vital because in this way, the provider can pinpoint the needs at home, and tell you if they can take care of them satisfactorily or if you have to make the adjustments.  For example, your loved one may need a low air loss mattress system, bars installed in the bathroom, areas free of clutter, etc.  You and, if possible, your loved one, must check all of these along with the provider.

7.Will you supply a written care plan from the beginning?
Having everything in writing prevents misunderstandings, and it will serve you as a guide when you have questions.  It has to be done with your input and based on your needs, and it must allow for flexibility to make adjustments as your loved one’s needs change.

8.What happens if I don’t like the caregiver assigned to me?
If there is no chemistry, the provider must assign a different caregiver for the sake of everyone involved.

9.How do you handle emergencies?
The caregiver has to have a procedure to follow in case of an emergency, for example, if the lights go out, if there’s a snowstorm, or a natural disaster.  The provider must offer 24/7 phone service for emergencies.

10.    What’s the procedure when dealing with problems?
You should have clarity about how and who you have to contact in case you have a doubt, a concern, an issue, a request or a complaint.

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Bedridden patients, whether confined to bed for an indefinite period as they recuperate from injury or surgery, or if they are going to be bedridden for the long term, need specialized care and equipment to provide comfort and maintain good  health.  Fortunately, many of these specialized necessities are available for patients who are being cared for at home, and can be prescribed by physicians to make the job of caregivers much easier to manage.  Some of the most essential items for care are described below:

.Hospital Beds
The hospital bed is probably the most necessary of all equipment as it is where the patient spends most of their time.  Beds range from manually operated to full electric Adjustments can be made easily to help the caregiver provide the patient with the utmost comfort.  These beds are also on wheels which makes it much easier to place them in the most convenient locations.  The bed itself consists of a metal frame with head and foot boards and metal springs.  Side rails can be installed as an extra safety precaution where necessary.

.Special Mattresses
One of the biggest health risks to the bedridden patient is the development of pressure sores.  These painful ailments can be prevented by the regular use of a low air loss mattress or a pressure relief air mattress.  By gradually inflating and deflating, these special mattresses can gently turn the patient throughout the course of the day thus relieving pressure points that can develop into skin wounds.

.Over bed Tables
These tables that are fully adjustable and move easily on castors are a must have for both patient and caregiver aid.  They are invaluable for feeding, bathing and putting the items that the patient may need throughout the day within easy reach.   Some styles even offer a tilt option for the patient who likes, and is able to do various activities such as writing letters, doing puzzles or reading.

.Patient Lifts
One of the most difficult chores for the caregiver of a bedridden patient is lifting them out of bed for personal care or therapy, or transferring them to a chair for a change of scenery.  Patient lifts can make this job much less physically draining for both the caregiver and the patient.  Like hospital beds, theses lifts come in varying degrees of automation.

.Wheel Chair
Providing an opportunity to get out of bed and enjoy a change of scenery is very important to the health and well being of any patient.  A wheel chair provides a means for patients to get outside, move to a community room for socializing, or sit up to a dining table to enjoy a comfortable meal time.  The feeling of independence that a wheel chair can provide is very vital to every patient’s sense of self-esteem and dignity.

When searching for information about the equipment you need for your situation, be sure to inquire about the availability of used equipment and rentals.  Both are usually available and can really help to stretch your care giving budget.

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).