Being confined to bed can be uncomfortable for your elderly family member. But a bigger problem might be that she can also start to develop other health issues, like skin sores that gradually become even worse over time. These are avoidable, but there are a few steps involved in doing so safely.
Periodically Shifting Position Helps a Lot
The biggest thing to remember is that you’re going to help your elderly family member to relieve pressure and save her skin if you’re helping her to remember to shift her position frequently. Doing this helps to avoid resting her full body weight on one spot, particularly if that spot is bonier or has thinner skin than other parts of her body. Use pillows and blankets to help with padding and to help your senior to stay in a new position after she’s moved.
Make Skincare a Big Part of Her Daily Routine
Skincare is always important, but if your elderly family member is bedridden it’s even more important. When you’re helping her with bathing or applying lotion or even helping her to move and to do other things, pay close attention to her skin. You’re looking for any signs of redness or other issues that could become a problem for her later. The sooner you notice problems, the sooner you can help her to resolve them.
Nutrition Makes a Huge Difference, Too
When your elderly family member is eating healthy meals on a regular basis, she’s getting the nutrients her body needs to keep her immune system strong and to keep other things healthy, like her skin. Even if eating is difficult for your senior, there may be other ways to help ensure that she’s getting the nutrients she needs. Talk with your senior’s doctor about the best ways to do that.
Don’t Try to Lift and Move Alone if it’s Difficult
If your elderly family member needs a lot of support with shifting positions, you may need to get some extra assistance. Trying to help your elderly family member to move when you’re the only one there to help her is a recipe for disaster for you, especially if you have physical limitations of your own. Senior care providers can assist your elderly family member with moving without risking injury to anyone involved.
Your senior can remain healthy, even if she’s confined to a reclining position. Work together to figure out how to keep her as comfortable as possible so that she’s not risking her health in other ways.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING SENIOR CARE IN CLAYTON, NC, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT SENIORS HELPING SENIORS TODAY. CALL (919) 761-5346.