Safety in your own Bedroom:
Dressing:
For someone whose health and overall steadiness has declined, the bedroom is a sanctuary. By setting up this room to maximize their independence, you can give them a sense of privacy and comfort -- while still making sure they are safe.
Helpful aids for getting dressed:
· Make sure the person can easily reach and pick out their clothing. You can replace dressers or chests of drawers with a storage unit that has open compartments. Organize the storage unit so the most frequently worn clothes are the easiest to reach. You can also lower the bar in the closet so they can reach items on hangers.
· Adapt their wardrobe to make it easier for them to dress themselves. Choose loose-fitting clothing with elastic waistbands and tops and shirts that pull on easily or fasten in the front. Replace buttons and zippers with Velcro fasteners or snaps, and shoelaces with coiled elastic laces.
· Dressing aids can be invaluable. You can find these through places like LifeTec who will forward you brochures and advise.
· Zipper pulls fasten onto the end of a zipper to make it easier to pull up or down. You can tie a string in a loop on the end of a zipper.
· A button hook enables them to fasten buttons with one hand.
· A dressing stick has a hook on one end so they can pull items down from a closet and pull on clothing.
· A long-handled shoe horn makes it easier to slip on shoes. Have a look in the Reject type shops.
During the night:
For nighttime safety:
· Always keep a telephone/mobile within easy reach of their bed. You may also want to consider getting them a personal emergency button.
· Make sure there's a clear pathway to the toilet. A nightlight will make it easier for them to avoid obstacles if the person has to get up during the night.
. Think about putting a handrail all the way along the hallway from the bedroom to the bathroom. This can mean YOU the Carer do not necessarily Have to Get UP - yet again! to make sure they journey safely.
. Another tip is to place the shower/commode chair - those with four wheels and four brakes, right beside the bed. This way the person only has to place their feet on the floor, swing their bottom around and sit straight down on the commode. Then just stand up, swing your bottom onto the bed and lie down again. Easy for your Carer too in the morning. All you have to do is sit down and there is no danger of a Fall... and wheel straight to the shower... Easy!
. Bed Height: The bed is too low if your knees are above the hips when sitting on the bed. Bed raisers under bed legs can raise the height and make it easier to get in and out of bed every day.
. Phone: Ensure you have easy access to a phone, especially at night. Invest in a cordless phone or keep your mobile phone on charge next to the bed.
. Emergencies: A personal emergency alert system is also a good investment, especially if you live alone.
For more comfortable sleep:
· To prevent pressure sores, make sure the person doesn't lie in the same position for long periods of time. Use pillows to support his affected limbs. If pressure sores are a concern, you can also purchase a special mattress to reduce pressure. Check out LifeTec www.lifetec.org.au
. Do look at prevention strategies and equipment, it is the simple things that can often be extremely beneficial such as the use of sheepskin and bed mechanics and a 24-hour positioning clock: “What is the person doing, how long are they in the chair versus bed versus commode?”
· Accidents happen sometimes, especially at night. Just in case, you can place a washable or disposable absorbent pad between the mattress and fitted sheet.
And don't forget that when your loved one returns home from hospital, that YOU are the one who will be doing most of the 24/7 care. Do ask the visiting Nurse or Allied Health Worker to teach you how to lift them up and make them comfortable in their bed. You need to be particularly aware of bedsores if they cannot move in bed themselves.
Have a look here so that you know how you can help them feel comfortable when you are re-positioning and lifting them in their bed.
POSITIONING AND LIFTING PATIENTS-Title2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H68Sa04s_1s
Since making the right home modifications can make a huge difference in the lives of both the person and their caregiver, it may be helpful to consult an occupational therapist (OT). An OT can take stock of the person's specific disability and the current state of their home, then make suggestions based on those particular needs.
Handy hints for your bedroom comfort: https://patienthandling.com.au/bedroom-seating/?sort=featured&page=1
Dressing:
For someone whose health and overall steadiness has declined, the bedroom is a sanctuary. By setting up this room to maximize their independence, you can give them a sense of privacy and comfort -- while still making sure they are safe.
Helpful aids for getting dressed:
· Make sure the person can easily reach and pick out their clothing. You can replace dressers or chests of drawers with a storage unit that has open compartments. Organize the storage unit so the most frequently worn clothes are the easiest to reach. You can also lower the bar in the closet so they can reach items on hangers.
· Adapt their wardrobe to make it easier for them to dress themselves. Choose loose-fitting clothing with elastic waistbands and tops and shirts that pull on easily or fasten in the front. Replace buttons and zippers with Velcro fasteners or snaps, and shoelaces with coiled elastic laces.
· Dressing aids can be invaluable. You can find these through places like LifeTec who will forward you brochures and advise.
· Zipper pulls fasten onto the end of a zipper to make it easier to pull up or down. You can tie a string in a loop on the end of a zipper.
· A button hook enables them to fasten buttons with one hand.
· A dressing stick has a hook on one end so they can pull items down from a closet and pull on clothing.
· A long-handled shoe horn makes it easier to slip on shoes. Have a look in the Reject type shops.
During the night:
For nighttime safety:
· Always keep a telephone/mobile within easy reach of their bed. You may also want to consider getting them a personal emergency button.
· Make sure there's a clear pathway to the toilet. A nightlight will make it easier for them to avoid obstacles if the person has to get up during the night.
. Think about putting a handrail all the way along the hallway from the bedroom to the bathroom. This can mean YOU the Carer do not necessarily Have to Get UP - yet again! to make sure they journey safely.
. Another tip is to place the shower/commode chair - those with four wheels and four brakes, right beside the bed. This way the person only has to place their feet on the floor, swing their bottom around and sit straight down on the commode. Then just stand up, swing your bottom onto the bed and lie down again. Easy for your Carer too in the morning. All you have to do is sit down and there is no danger of a Fall... and wheel straight to the shower... Easy!
. Bed Height: The bed is too low if your knees are above the hips when sitting on the bed. Bed raisers under bed legs can raise the height and make it easier to get in and out of bed every day.
. Phone: Ensure you have easy access to a phone, especially at night. Invest in a cordless phone or keep your mobile phone on charge next to the bed.
. Emergencies: A personal emergency alert system is also a good investment, especially if you live alone.
For more comfortable sleep:
· To prevent pressure sores, make sure the person doesn't lie in the same position for long periods of time. Use pillows to support his affected limbs. If pressure sores are a concern, you can also purchase a special mattress to reduce pressure. Check out LifeTec www.lifetec.org.au
. Do look at prevention strategies and equipment, it is the simple things that can often be extremely beneficial such as the use of sheepskin and bed mechanics and a 24-hour positioning clock: “What is the person doing, how long are they in the chair versus bed versus commode?”
· Accidents happen sometimes, especially at night. Just in case, you can place a washable or disposable absorbent pad between the mattress and fitted sheet.
And don't forget that when your loved one returns home from hospital, that YOU are the one who will be doing most of the 24/7 care. Do ask the visiting Nurse or Allied Health Worker to teach you how to lift them up and make them comfortable in their bed. You need to be particularly aware of bedsores if they cannot move in bed themselves.
Have a look here so that you know how you can help them feel comfortable when you are re-positioning and lifting them in their bed.
POSITIONING AND LIFTING PATIENTS-Title2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H68Sa04s_1s
Since making the right home modifications can make a huge difference in the lives of both the person and their caregiver, it may be helpful to consult an occupational therapist (OT). An OT can take stock of the person's specific disability and the current state of their home, then make suggestions based on those particular needs.
Handy hints for your bedroom comfort: https://patienthandling.com.au/bedroom-seating/?sort=featured&page=1