The elderly bedridden are often helpless. What once may have seemed like simple tasks to them, now seem so daunting and create frustrations and feelings of helplessness. Thus they feel that they no longer can fully take care of themselves and hence end up highly dependent on a caretender or a loved one to take care of them. 

Caring for elderly bedridden at home can be an overwhelming task and if not done properly can result in further complications which in turn can cause serious health challenges for the elderly. Here are some useful tips to take care of the elderly bedridden : 

Bedsore prevention:  When the elderly find it difficult to reposition themselves on their bed and have to lie down on any particular side for a longer period of time, it can lead to the formation of bedsores. Bedsores are also known as bed ulcers. Bedsores are extremely painful and can become infected if left untreated. Bedsores are caused by the decreased blood supply to certain areas of the body which then causes the flesh in those areas to deteriorate. Medication to treat bedsores are available at most pharmacies Bedsore prevention is better than bedsore cure.

Change the bed linens frequently: It is important to change the bed linens including the pillowcases of the elderly bedridden every 2 -3 days. Bedding can get very dirty easily due to soiling from food, bed baths, dirt etc; There is a lot of shearing and friction that occur when an elderly immobile person is turned over in bed. Certain types of bed linen can decrease in the shearing and friction because of the material it is made with. Shifting from uncomfortable bed sheets to softer and more comfortable linen is an important step in bedsore prevention.

Personal hygiene and grooming: Personal hygiene and grooming of an immobile senior citizen can add to the morale of the person especially if the person has high standards of personal hygiene. If the elderly bedridden is unable to shower by themselves then the caretender should help with the same. In cold and unbearable climates, a warm sponge bath is a good alternative.  Personal hygiene products like “no-rinse” cleaning products can also be sprayed over the bedridden person thus eliminating any odours. Dental health and oral hygiene should also be followed and a dental kit consisting of a toothbrush, toothpaste, a bowl of water, and bowl to spit water etc should also be kept at their bedside. Remember,  good physical hygiene can contribute to the healthy well being of a senior citizen.  

Ensure meaningful conversation: Loneliness and the sense of not being wanted is a major challenge that the elderly face. It is very vital that caretenders talk to the elderly bedridden so that they feel valued and cared for. Engage them in conversation, understand things that interest them and show genuine interest in what matters to them. They can also be taken out in wheelchairs on short walks to pep them up. 

Do things that they enjoy: A book that they will be able to read, or a board game that they would be able to play will help them maintain a happy, cheerful frame of mind and stay mentally agile. 

Therefore with all the necessary precautions we can take care of the elderly bedridden and make life much bearable for them. They need our support as they are dependent on us for help. So let’s go ahead and do whatever best possible for a smooth sailing as they deserve it.

Author: Anzu Abilash

Keywords: Personal hygiene products, elderly bedridden, caring for elderly bedridden at home, bedsore prevention, medicine for bed sores, bed ulcers,  best treatment for bed sores

Hashtags : #60plusIndia #elderly #elderlycare #homecare #seniorcare #paralysis #spinalcordinjury #wheelchair #paraplegic #spinalcord #wheelchairlife

About the Author : Anzu Abilash is a freelance content provider and is passionate about writing on senior needs. The earlier blog written by her is https://medium.com/@anzuabilash/warning-signs-when-a-senior-ciizen-needs-home-care-7889de450170

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