Taking Care of an Invalid

Perhaps you are faced with caring for an elderly parent, someone who is recovering from surgery or even a sick child – these are the sorts of situations which can be made easier with the proper equipment such as a comfortable foam or feather mattress pad or a special bolster pillow. When someone needs to be in bed for any length of time, anything you can do to make it more comfortable is appreciated by the patient and the caregiver. Things like using the bathroom and bathing are equally important and need to be made as effortless as possible.

There are many bathroom accessories and modifications designed to make it possible for one to maintain privacy and independence as long as possible. Simple improvements include the addition of a shower or bath seat and the installation of a handheld shower head. Extra safety bars and grips along with anti-skid bath mats are also helpful for family members of all ages. Should the patient have difficulty sitting and standing a high-rise toilet seat is a great idea – it can be inserted above the existing toilet seat to raise the level by as much as a foot; this makes it easier to use, especially if side rails or a walker are situated around the commode.

Since bedding needs to be changed frequently it’s a good idea to have three sets on hand with one set on the bed, one set in the wash and one set at the ready. Because an patient spends so much time in bed it’s important to have a variety of pillows – this way they can shift position and do various activities such as reading, watching television, surfing the net or knitting and still be comfortable.