How to look after bedridden? Which bed should you choose for a bedridden person? How to prevent the appearance of bedsores and chafing?
Taking care of the sick personrequires a lot of sacrifice and time. If we live under the same roof withbedridden , this should be reported to the local clinic. If our loved one previously lived elsewhere, we can prescribe him to our GP. Then we are provided with both doctor's home visits and nursing care. Community nurses performnursing treatments for the sick , give advice on care and nutrition, help in rehabilitation and rehabilitation of the sick. The scope of assistance must always be described in the order issued by the GP.
A suitable bed for a bedridden person
The best is the hospital-type bed, which is 200 cm long, 90 cm wide and 65 cm high. Wider or lower ones make it difficult for the caregivers to perform care activities around the lying person. A bed with an adjustable headrest (manually or automatically), raised sides or broken ones is more comfortable and safer for the patient. The mattress should protect against bedsores. It can be made of a corrugated sponge or filled with granules. There are also mattresses with chambers filled with air, which allows you to adjust the hardness. Both the bed and the mattress can be bought in shops with rehabilitation equipment or rented (the cost of renting a bed is about PLN 150 per month).
When buying a bed, mattress, wheelchair, etc., you can apply for funding from the National He alth Fund. Please ask your orthopedist, neurologist, rheumatologist or rehabilitation physician to apply for the appropriate equipment. The application (on a special form) can only be issued by a doctor who has signed a contract with the National He alth Fund. When buying expensive rehabilitation equipment or, for example, an electrically controlled bed, you can also apply for further funding from the Poviat Family Assistance Center (PCPR).
Bedsores and nappy rash in bedridden patients
Pressure ulcer prevention is one of the basic principles of caring for bedridden people. These hard-to-heal wounds most often appear on the back of the head, on the shoulders, elbows, the coccyx, buttocks, sides of the hips, knees, ankles, and heels. They are formed when the sick person does nothe can change positions himself. They are also favored by a carelessly made bed or crumbs on the sheets. Chafes are equally painful. They are formed in the folds of the skin, when it has not been thoroughly dried after a bath, with rarely changed diaper pants. When we notice redness or cracks on the skin, report it to the doctor or nurse so that they can implement the appropriate treatment. The best protection against bedsores and chafing is frequent body washing, lubricating the skin with olive oil or using talcum powder and changing position every 2-3 hours. Pressure relief disks and pads, which can be purchased at rehabilitation equipment stores, are also helpful. You can also use small pillows that should be placed under the elbows or hips.
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