Providing hospice care at home for a loved one allows them to remain in a comfortable and familiar environment. It involves cooperation from family members, and a team of professionals, including nurses to provide physical care to the patient.
As a caregiver, you need to spend extra time to prepare your home. Follow these tips to improve the quality of your loved one’s life:
Deep Cleaning and Decluttering
A clean environment is essential to improve the health of your loved one. Start cleaning your living space a few days before the move-in. Dust and clean all the hard-to-reach surfaces. Clean countertops and cabinets with a disinfectant. This will prevent the growth of germs and improve indoor air quality.
Medical equipment such as a walker and wheelchair require a lot of space. Get rid of extra furniture and declutter the space.
Find a Place for the Bed
A hospice bed requires more space than a regular bed. It has a moveable headboard and attached rails and wheels. When choosing a space for the bed, leave plenty of space for additional equipment such as an oxygen tank or feeding equipment. If there are no separate rooms available, you can place the bed in the living room. In such cases, keep in mind environmental factors such as lighting, noise, and temperature.
Ensure Safety
Consider the following tips to ensure the safety of your loved one:
- Remove all fall hazards such as mats or shoes.
- Keep a bed alarm to provide immediate help during an unforeseen situation.
- Install proper ventilation service such as a ceiling fan.
- Keep mobility aids such as a wheelchair by the patient’s bedside.
- Avoid using fitted clothes.
- Install a night light in the room and hallways.
- Wipe spills immediately.
- Buy digital health trackers to monitor vital signs.
Prepare an Accessible Bathroom
Preparing a bathroom for hospice care is no easy task. You need to incorporate handicap accessibility tools, anti-slip mats, and grab bars. Portable electric toilets are an efficient solution. Common features of a dry flush toilet include:
- Waterless
- Odorless
- Chemical-free
- Low-maintenance
Hospice waterless toilets have a double-layered barrier bag system which means all kinds of waste are securely enclosed. A fresh barrier bag is added for the next flush, making the entire process odor-free and hygienic. You can easily dispose of the used cartridge in a regular trash can. Dry flush toilets also have additional features such as floor trays and handrails for safety.
Invest in Smart Home Devices
Smart home technology is becoming increasingly popular among home caregivers and for good reason. For a bedridden patient, independence is a dream, and devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home can fulfill it. Your loved one can control the lighting and temperature of their environment using a remote control or voice-command feature. You can also remind them to take medicines through smart devices. Install cameras and motion sensors to keep an eye on patients who are at risk of falls.