Home Care and Care Giver Tips & Resources

Support:


Taking care of loved ones at home is very stressful. It can be emotionally and physically taxing especially when you have minimal or no assistance.  There are many resources available to assist you with support and education. I have listed many of the online resources below.
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Retrieved from http://stroke.ufhealth.org/for-patients/stroke-support-groups/
Other suggestions for support and assistance include:
  • Support groups through hospitals and specific disease foundations like cancer support groups..
  • If your loved one has been in the hospital recently you can contact a social worker or case manager for assistance.
  • If you have a Visiting Nurse's Association or other home health agencies in your area you can call or go online for resource information
  • Check for respite programs through churches, temples and volunteer organizations
  • Check with local nursing schools and nurse's aid programs to see if students need experience with home care
  • Call 2-1-1

Caring for Your Loved One at Home

People who are sick, elderly and/or bedridden are at higher risk for many problems. These include

  1. Skin Problems caused by malnutrition, some diseases such as diabetes, exposure to urine/stool, prolonged pressure on bony areas ( 2 or more hours) and fragile skin due to aging.
  2. Loss of Muscle Tone form reduced activity and being bedridden or wheelchair bound
  3. Breathing problems due to being bedridden and/or aspirating (chocking) on food and liquids.
  4. Accidents due to changes in memory, vision and balance
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retrieved from http://www.trtf.org/index.cfm/a-helping-hand/

10 Tips for Home Care:

  1. Wash your hands before and after providing care
  2. Clean your loved one's skin as soon as it gets wet or dirty from urine and/or bowel movements. Use mild soaps to wash the skin and gently pat dry.  
  3. Inspect the skin at least once a day. Pay particular attention to areas of bony prominences (i.e. back of the head,  elbows, buttocks, heals). Bathing time is the best time to do this. Report open sores and non-healing wounds to the doctor.
  4. Turn your loved one/make sure they change positions every 2 hours to prevent pressure ulcers (bed sores).
  5. Encourage coughing and deep breathing every 2 hours during waking hours for loved ones who are bedridden or have limited mobility. 
  6. Assist with passive and/or active range of motion exercises
  7. Ensure an appropriate diet and prevent complications during feeding. Keep the head of the bed elevated at at least 30º.
  8. Safety proof the home to prevent falls and other accidents.
  9. Keep a folder or binder with your loved one's medical information. This includes keeping a current list of all medications and OTC drugs, your loved one's medical history, the name and number of medical contacts and a list of current problems/concerns and questions for the doctor . Bring this to the doctors' appointments and have available when calling the doctor.
  10. Don't forget to take care of YOU!

Resources:

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Caregiver:


Equipment:

Home Care & Respite Services:

Home Health Nursing Resources:

Home Safety:

Medications:

Organizations:

Skin and Wound Care:

Special Issues:
Updated 1/30/14