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.

What would you do to pass the time if you were bedridden?

Let’s hope it doesn’t happen, but some of us may eventually find ourselves stuck in bed for a certain period of time or permanently due to health issues.

Even if the condition is very serious and the patient requires the help of things such as a mattress overlay, while in bed, life must go on and we must learn to view it in a different way and find new activities that enrich our days while bedridden.

Here we give you 8 interesting activities you or a loved one may consider if the time comes for you to stay in bed:

1.    Learn a new computer skill
There are hundreds, if not thousands; of programs you can use to learn computer skills such as typing, drawing or designing.

You can learn to use Photoshop, PowerPoint, or Excel like a pro, and you can even venture into the web page creation arena that is so ‘in’ right now.

2.    Write letters
This is a lost art.  Since the world got swallowed by the Internet, it is virtually unheard of people getting a letter in the mail.

You can spend some time actually writing a letter by hand to an old friend you haven’t seen in a while or even to one you see regularly.  Imagine what a surprise it will be for them to receive something that is not a bill in the mail.

3.    Learn a language
You have lots of time to listen to tapes and read books in the language you are learning.  You can even talk to native speakers on the Internet and rent DVDs in that language.

Learning a language will keep you mentally active and will give you the refreshing opportunity to learn about new cultures.

4.    Learn a craft
There are kits to learn any kind of craft you can imagine, for example, knitting, sewing, painting, making fabric dolls, jewelry, books, and cards.  You can also choose to learn to do calligraphy or scrap booking.

5.    Learn science
If you don’t like art too much, try science.  The website www.sciplus.com, for example, offers you a wide array of options to try small projects such as an electronics kit, a DIY bat habitat, a DIY kaleidoscope, and much more…

6.    Write a book
Everyone has a story to tell, and maybe yours has been stored in your memory for a long time because you never had the chance to put it on paper… until now.

If you don’t have a story in mind, how about writing down a book about the best family recipes that have been the delight of your loved ones for so many years?  Or how about writing a how-to guide about something you do very well?

7.    Take an online class
There are online courses about anything you can think of. These vary in length and difficulty, and some have a cost while others are free, like the ones Barnes and Noble offers.

8.    Browse the Web
If you like to browse the Internet, these are a few websites that will keep you amused for a long time:

-    To shop for handmade items by amazingly talented artists, go here: www.etsy.com.  You will find every kind of item here, from crafts, to food, to books, to clothes, to bags; and if you want to sell something, it offers very affordable fees.

-    If you like games, check out: www.shockwave.com and www.addictinggames.com.  Both sites are free and very friendly to use.

-    Check out www.stumbleupon.com.  This website asks you to list what you like and dislike to help find interesting websites for you.  It can become addictive because you can find truly amazing information about the things and activities you love.

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).

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).

On the past several years there have been numerous concerns over shortages of staff and lack of beds in hospitals nationwide.  As an alternative and an answer to the problem, many states, and in fact countries, have developed what is often referred to as “hospital at home” services that provide the same care to patients in a home environment instead of a hospital setting. With the availability of hospital equipment such as hospital beds, a pressure mattress overlay, and the ease of finding qualified at home professional practitioners it has become fairly easy to create a caring and medically sound environment for patients outside of the hospital. In order to determine the quality and validity of such services, studies have been initiated by several organizations to evaluate overall patient health, patient satisfaction and cost savings.  Here are some of the results that were recorded.

Patients who were recovering from stroke did better in a hospital environment than an at home setting, for the first three months.  The study showed a significant reduction in mortality rates, however, after six months for those patients provided with hospital at home care.

Overall, patients who were provided with a hospital at home setting for a variety of conditions were far more satisfied than those who remained in hospital.  Studies were all in agreement that most people prefer to be cared for outside of a hospital and are more comfortable and satisfied in a home style environment.

Other trials noted that fewer patients in a home care setting developed other complications such as bowel or urinary complications.

For patients who were suffering with dementia, those who were receiving hospital at home care were less likely to be prescribed antipsychotic drugs.

For patients suffering from cellulite, there appeared to be no differences between the hospitalized patients and those receiving hospital at home care.

Patients who were being treated for COPD in a hospital at home care were prescribed antibiotics more often than those who were being treated in hospital.

The studies showed no significant differences among patients in or out of hospital when looking at their ability to perform day to day functions or in their cognitive abilities.

From an economic viewpoint, most hospital at home care programs were less expensive than hospital care.

It should be understood that, even with such studies, one should not preclude that hospital care is not as beneficial as home care in every situation, as hospital admittance is often necessary for the overall health of the patient.  But where there is the possibility of a patient receiving adequate care in a home style setting, it can be more comfortable, satisfying, and cost effective.

It is also worth mentioning that the quality of services and personnel that provide the hospital at home care should be carefully selected and closely monitored, and that a primary care physician be in constant contact with patients and caregivers.  It is not enough to merely assume that a patient is always better cared for at home or in a home style environment, than in a hospital.

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Clinical studies are beginning to show that development of pressure sores in hospitalized patients can often be reduced or even prevented by the addition of nutritional supplements to the patient’s diet.  This new treatment along with innovative technology such as that found in the latest mattress overlay can hopefully make bedsores a thing of the past.  This is welcome news for patients and caretakers alike who deal with the threat of this condition every day.

A study out of Israel observed the results of supplementing bedridden patients with certain fatty acids as well vitamins A, C, and E.  The patients were already hospitalized for serious lung injury and were beginning to develop pressure sores.  For the purposes of the study, 100 patients were chosen to receive either the standard hospital diet or the standard hospital diet supplemented with fatty acids and the vitamins.  At the end of the study, which lasted seven days, the number of ulcers increased to 24 in the group of patients who were receiving the regular diet but only 15 new pressure sores appeared in the group that had had supplements added to their diet.

Vitamin C has long been recognized for its healing effects on the skin, especially as it helps to heal broken capillaries and reduce bruising.  Vitamin E has also been touted for having many benefits related to skin health such as prevention of dry skin and slowing of the aging process.   Direct application of Vitamin E is also believed by many to greatly reduce the appearance of scar tissue and stretch marks.  Vitamin A is used in various forms to alleviate acne symptoms and outbreaks and is also used in many skin creams.  With these benefits for skin health already acknowledged in other areas, it only makes sense that the addition of them to a regular diet would help in reducing the occurrence of a skin condition such as pressure sores.

Researchers believe that the reason for the improvement lies in the way that the fatty acids interrupt the inflammatory response that the body naturally sets in motion in response to serious injury.  They also concluded from their observations, that data was not significant enough on its own to prove the thesis, but only suggested that it had definite possibilities, and should be analyzed further.

At the present time, there are no official clinical guidelines for administering nutritional supplements as a direct treatment for the prevention of bedsores.  Organizations that monitor medical treatment practice will revisit studies such as this one to keep current with any and all ways to improve the quality of treatment for this condition.

Obviously anytime a diet is improved with proper supplements and vitamins, it can only be helpful to a patient’s overall health, and this is basically what can be taken away from studies such as these.  Other dietary recommendations that professionals agree should be followed in the treatment of pressure sores include drinking plenty of water and including plenty of anti-oxidant rich fruits and vegetables.

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As surprising as it may sound, a good night’s sleep has as much to do with the mattress that you’re using, as many other factors you might attribute to a peaceful night’s sleep.  Mattresses not fitted for your particular back needs may lead to chronic back pain, trouble sleeping, even insomnia.  Certain mattresses work best for certain people, just as certain mattresses will not work well for certain people, and could potentially be counter-productive to your overall back health.  This is why, when choosing a mattress to best fit your back care needs, whether it is a standard spring mattress, or a top of the line mattress overlay with memory foam support, it is always best to do your research first, instead of learning the hard way later on.

While it is recommended to replace your mattress every 8-10 years, many people may be sleeping on the worst kind of mattress for their back, and not even know it.  Spring babes require replacement every 10-12 years or so, while slat bases will require replacement about every 8 years.  For hygienic reasons however, many mattress experts conclude that you should try to replace your mattress every 5 years for optimal back and overall health.  Although this may sound a bit extreme, replacing your mattress is often an excellent opportunity to find a new and better mattress more formulated to adjust to your ever changing body and health needs.

As people grow older their bodies begin to change and so do their health needs.  An older body will not be as sturdy as it once was, and will require a softer, but still firm bed.  Now even though it is important for an older back that the mattress be soft, it shouldn’t be too soft where it might create difficulties for an older person trying to get out of bed.  The mattress also needs to be even as well, and not have too many peaks, or lumps that may have formed in an older mattress due to day to day use over many years.

When shopping for a mattress the number one thing you need to remember, is that quality matters.  While quality may not be as important in many of the other things you buy, when it comes to mattresses, it should be your primary concern.  When it comes to quality, price ranges will vary from very affordable to high end.  It is important to first consult with a back care expert prior to purchasing a mattress, to understand what the best type of mattress to fit your needs is.

The highest end types of mattresses you can buy today are mattress overlay systems that are made out of memory foam or viscoelastic.  Viscoelastic foam was developed over 30 years ago by two men working at NASA.  It was originally intended to be a lightweight foam designed for rocket insulation and space shuttles, but it is now beginning to make its entry into the mattress market.  While there may be hundreds of different types of mattresses out there, and you might seem confused about which one to buy, the best mattress is always the one that gives you the best night’s sleep while being the option that is best for your back care needs as well.

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).