Caring for a patient on bed rest means caring for their physical and mental health needs. According to a study by WHO, over 15% of the senior population worldwide suffers from a mental health ailment. Plus, bedridden elder patients are at risk of developing weak bones and muscles, stiff joints, bedsores, constipation, and depression, among other things, due to a lack of physical activity, loneliness, or care.
Caring for Bedridden Patients
The primary responsibility for caring for them falls on their caregivers. Still, their loved ones are equally responsible for checking up on them regularly to see if they live well and don’t face any problems. Most bedridden patients live under the care of an assigned caregiver, and if they live alone, they become more susceptible to abuse or negligence.
Frequently visiting your loved ones if they live far from home or at a nursing facility is a great way to ensure they are not being abused in your absence and help alleviate their loneliness.
Bedsores: A Sign of Neglect
If you think your loved one is being neglected, you can check for bedsores on their body, which is a surefire sign of neglect. If the patient suffers a large wound with significantly damaged skin, they suffer from bedsores stage 4; thankfully, they can take legal action for their negligence and gain compensation that can help with their treatment.
Conditions that Necessitate Bed Rest
There are many medical disorders for which bed rest may be recommended. Furthermore, older people are at higher risk of being bedridden; their immune system is not as strong as it used to be when they were in their prime. They face various health challenges once past a certain age, including chronic illnesses, disabilities, and various complications that can leave them bedridden.
We have narrowed the list down to the most common conditions that require bed rest, including:
- Acute lower back pain due to muscle spasms
- An injury on the knee joint
- Pregnancy
- Undergoing a surgery
- Fracture
- Disabilities
- Palliative treatment
Tips for Caring for Bedridden Patients
Whether young or old, being bedridden for a long time can take a toll on a patient’s physical and mental health. Going without any physical activity for extended periods can cause further health complications, especially for elderly patients.
Proper care for people suffering from these conditions can help ease their pain and suffering. Today, we’ll be looking at some essential tips that will help you properly care for bedridden patients and ensure their comfort.
1. Prioritize their Hygiene
Just because a person is bedridden doesn’t mean they should give up regular human hygiene. The attending caregiver should help them brush their teeth and clean their body with a sponge if they cannot do so independently. Plus, regularly trim their nails to prevent ingrown nails and any infections. Brush their hair, cut them often, and help them shave to prevent lice or bedbug infestation. Change their clothing every day and linen every other day to maintain good hygiene. Plus, grooming them as such can boost their self-esteem and help them feel confident.
2. Check for Bedsores
Keeping an eye out for bedsores is essential to ensure proper care for a loved one on bed rest. Bedsores often occur due to laying still in the same position for a prolonged period. The skin on the buttocks, legs, and thighs may become injured and break down due to an extended period of stillness. They are extremely painful with the potential to develop into serious infections that can put the patient’s life at risk. To prevent bedsores, you should reposition them every several hours. Try to use softer linens, moisturize their skin often, and keep them hydrated throughout the day.
3. Regular Chest Checkup
Patients confined to their beds for lengthy periods are at risk of developing a fluid buildup in their lungs. Congestion is common and can lead to pneumonia and other viral infections. This subject has become even more essential in the wake of the current pandemic and should not be overlooked. Whenever necessary or recommended by a physician, have them alternate positions or postures and provide steam or other forms of support.
4. Ensure a Balanced Diet
Everyone knows the importance of eating a healthy diet, and it’s even more critical in patients that are ill, recovering from treatment, or receiving palliative care. Ensure they remain healthy by providing a calorie-controlled, nutritional diet. Observe their eating habits and get in touch with a dietician to develop a healthy diet with complete nutritional value. Ensure they stay hydrated with water and other healthy drinks throughout the day.
5. Create a Comfortable Environment
A bedridden patient can feel confined and lonely, impacting their mental health. Ensure their room is cleaned and aired regularly to eliminate smells and enable fresh airflow. Position them in a room with plenty of sunlight and fresh air as sunlight can kill bacteria living in dust. A clean, bright, ventilated room can make them feel comfortable and happy. Apart from that, maintain a clutter-free path to the restroom if they were to go alone. To guarantee that the patient gets the rest they need, keep the noise low and distractions at bay during their rest time.
6. Engage in Regular and Light-Hearted Conversation
Your loved ones can feel stuffy and bored as they are always cooped up in their room, so engaging in light-hearted conversation can help relieve some of that boredom and make them feel valued. You can initiate discussions on the weather, their favorite music, sports, etc. You can also engage them in hobbies like board games and reading. Doing so will help them maintain a peaceful and relaxed state of mind.
7. Ensure Regular Physical Activity
Regular physical activity with the help of a caregiver can help prevent problems such as stiff joints, pressure sores, and constipation. Encourage your loved ones for regular physical activity. If they can not get out of bed independently, you should help them sit up, move, or exercise in bed. To prevent muscular atrophy, you recommend that you help them stretch and relax their muscles before going to bed each night.
Final Thoughts
Bedridden patients can be physically and emotionally demanding to care for, whether a loved one or someone else. But it’s also an opportunity to form new relationships or deepen existing ones. What matters is that your loved one feels comfortable and receives the care and treatment they need.
A bedridden patient is entirely dependent on their loved ones and caregivers for even the most basic needs. If you choose to hire a caregiver for a bedridden patient, always be vigilant regarding the patient’s safety, as in their current state, they are vulnerable to abuse. If you notice any sign of abuse, don’t hesitate to contact authorities and take legal action.