The art and practice of caring for the ill and elderly at home is all but lost today.  The 21st Century Homekeeper Radio Program on July 7th was all about how to do just that and much more.  You can download the program and listen any time.   ill elderly

Setting up a Sick room and caring for the ill or elderly in one’s private residence has almost become some of that lost general knowledge. Today, there are general care facilities, nursing homes and hospices that we can call on and pay to have our ill or elderly family members taken care of. It wasn’t always so however, many older people remember having elderly, ill and infirm family members right in their homes and the family worked together to care for them

Aside from the practical knowledge that caring for ill persons involves, there are emotional and physical concerns that should be addressed. Hopefully the sick room is a place where the patient gains strength and gets well.  However, in some cases, and in the case of the elderly, it can be difficult to watch as that loved one’s physical or mental health deteriorates.

Care for one’s self should be taken, to get get plenty of rest and to have someone to talk to about the things that worry you concerning the patient’s health and care.
Physical strain is another concern. There has to be a good system of moving the patient safely and doing all the things that must be done day in and day out for the patient. Care should be taken not to strain one’s body beyond its limits so that you can continue to offer care.

Remember that if someone is to receive comfort, you may be the one who must give it, so you would do well to learn how to give comfort, keep a level head and learn a few things about basic care.

General Rules Of Thumb for caring for the ill

  • Be quiet but not uncommunicative.  Avoid whispering!
  • Have medicines, poultices, remedies ready at all time so that the patient doesn’t have to wait – (elaborate – pain medications, clean bandages)
  • Don’t dicuss any painful or distasteful procedures ahead of time with the patient but have your tools ready and proceed cheerfully, purposfully and gently.
  • Prepare and serve nutritious foods that will not over-tax the digestive system. Recipes to follow.

DISCLAIMER:
These instructions are not meant to substitute for emergency care. These instructions are for the day to day care of a patient who is ill but not in any immediate danger and in need of emergency care or in need of a trained physician.   These instructions are meant for your education and information purposes only. You should do your research when you need to care for anyone who is ill, elderly, infirm or bed-ridden. This is what I do and have done for my own family. 

The main requirements for a sick room are:
A room to itself – if this is impossible, you can set up a larger room in the home so that the patient’s area is sectioned off from the rest of the living quarters.
Window that can be opened, curtains or blinds
A bed with clean mattress cover, pillows
Blankets or quilts
Two sets of sheets and pillow cases
Towels, washcloths
Small basin
Large basin or plastic tub for bathing
Rubbing alcohol
Side table or tray
Water pitcher and glass
Storage area for medications
Analog clock
Clip board, paper and pen for daily notes and records
Handcranked radio
Flashlight with extra batteries
Trash can, lined, extra liners
Comfortable side chair
Clothes hamper, lined
Extra clothes for the patient, loose, comfortable, socks, houseshoes if the patient is mobile
Personal grooming items, hair brush, toothbrush, comb, feminine products, shaving equipment,mouthwash, lip balm, soap
Source of water or basin and pitcher of water
Hand soap
Thermometer
Measuring cup for medications, 250ml
Aprons or smocks
N95 respirator masks
Disposable gloves
Disinfectant wipes – purchased or homemade

OTC Meds:
Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen

Oral electrolyte solution – adults 1 cup at a time, children between 1/2 and 1 cup at a time
* Six (6) level teaspoons of Sugar
* Half (1/2) level teaspoon of Salt
*  5 cupfuls clean drinking or boiled water and then cooled

Jello Water – gelatin contains protein that gives energy to the patient and is easily digested and can be made into delicate, easily digested and readily accepted foods for the patient.  You can use instant gelatin from the box and make it up using a small amount of extra water or juice. Serve room temperature.

Its good to keep a supply of baby cereal on hand for helping both adults and children recover from vomiting and diarrhea without becoming dehydrated. Dehydration is the most common cause of death in illnesses where the main symptom is diarrhea and vomiting.

You may also want to  include a few magazines, books, games or puzzles for your patient.

Now that you have your room ready, lets talk about general, daily care of ill persons.

Cleanliness is of utmost importance.

Homemade Disinfectant Wipes recipes:
this forumla will also clean glass well.
* 1/2 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
* 2 1/2 cups water
* 1 tablespoon white vinegar

A more natural formula:
1 c  water
1 tsp  castile soap
40 drops  Tea Tree Oil
1/4 c white vinegar

Simple cleaning formula:
* 1 1/2 cups white vinegar
* 1 1/2 cups water

Use these to keep all surface areas clean, including anything the patient comes into contact with.

Wash your hands frequently and well. Use soap and lather for 2 minutes. Keep your hand drying towel changed and clean.
Fastidious cleanliness will help your patient recover more quickly and keep you from passing on bacteria and viruses to others, including yourself.
Most caretakers of patients who have infectious diseases will not contract the disease if they are habitually cleanly and fastidious about cleanliness in the sick room.

The sick room should be kept clean, aired out, bed kept clean and changed and patient bathed daily. This not only makes the sick room a more pleasant place for your patient to be, it makes it better environment for visitors and helps your patient feel more cheerful and positive in their outlook.  This is very important for the patient’s recovery.

Trash should be taken out twice daily. Floors swept and mopped daily. All surfaces cleaned, toilet and sink/basin area cleaned daily.

After cleanliness the most important area is giving the patient what he/she needs to make them comfortable and to administer any medications correctly.

Comfort:
Feeding – how to feed an ill person
Be sure that you keep your Attention 100% on your patient
Show them that there is nothing you’d rather be doing than what you are doing.
Place a large napkin on the patient’s chest.
Keep your conversation soft, positive and smile!
Feed small bites, use a napkin in one hand on the utensil in the other.
If chewing is difficult cut the food into very small pieces and feed a small amount at one time.Keep the food covered and warm and cut up each bite on a smaller plate.
In stroke patients, it is helpful to turn the patient’s head slightly to the unaffected side.
Clean up the patient thoroughly and help the patient with oral hygiene after the meal.

Watch For Bed Sores –
Bed sores are friction/pressure wounds that can be painful and get infected
Watch for bed sores on areas where the bones are closest to the skin: tailbone, heels and hops, etc. Notice any red areas, this may be the beginning of bed sores.
Patient’s who are bed-ridden must e turned every 2 hours to help prevent bed sores.
Never try to move a child or adult you cannot easily lift by yourself. Always, for safety’s sake, ask for help to turn reposition a patient.
Lumps and wrinkles must be smoothed out of bed linens.
Bed sores are not always a sign of bad nursing care, they are often inevitable. Then they must be treated.

Incontinent Patients
It is important to clean up the incontinent patient immediately to decrease discomfort and embarrassment.
Make note of urine color and amount for Physician.
Adult diapers – You can find instructions on making homemade adult diapers here and here.

Difficult Breathing
Position patient on one side with head slightly elevated, open window may help

Profuse Sweating
Patients with high fevers and often patients who are close to death will perspire profusely. Give the patient frequent sponge baths and change bedding as needed.
Patients close to death may also be thirsty, give small sips of water and provide lip balm.

Its important to remember that people who are suffering, dying or recovering from illnesses are human beings worthy of respect and the best of care. Remind yourself that it is an honor to be able to assist someone who is wholly dependent on your for their care and comfort. Touch your patient, hold their hands and talk to them. Let them know that you realize how great an honor it is to be of service to them. Your presence with them is the most important thing you do.

Recipes:

Four Thieves Vinegar: A powerful anti-germicide and disinfectant that can be ingested or used as a spray cleaner/disinfectant/anti-viral.

Four Thieves Vinegar Recipe: Use equal parts of the following herbs:

    • Lavender
    • Sage
    • Thyme
    • Melissa (lemon balm)
    • Hyssop
    • Peppermint
    • A handful of garlic cloves

Blend ingredients in a glass jar and cover completely with organic, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar. Let sit at room temperature in a cool place for six weeks and then strain off herbs and garlic. Store at room temperature in a dark place or in an amber colored bottle.

You can take Four Thieves Vinegar by the teaspoonful, add to bath water or use as a salad dressing combined with warm coconut oil.

Arinca Tincture – Arnica is not to be taken internally. It is used to relieve muscle pain, strains, bumps and bruises.  You can find Arnica herb in bulk here.  To make the tincture:  add 1/2 cup fresh or dried arnica to a glass jar, pour 1 cup organic apple cider vinegar or vodka and 1/2 cup water  over.  Apply lid and place in a cool dark place for 2 weeks, stirring or shaking every day.  After 2 weeks, strain out the herb and store in a cool dark place. Refrigeration is recommended.  To use:  Add 1/4 cup to a pan of warm water to soak feet and ankles. Add a few drops of the tincture to a damp cloth and apply to bruises, bumps, strains, sprains.  Add more tincture to the cloth periodically.

Beef or Chicken Broth – stay away from canned or boxed broths for the ill or weak. Make your own stock from healthy cuts of meat and bones. This stock can be made and frozen or canned for future use.

 

UPDATE:  I thought  I’d share that I learned all of these procedures and ideas from my own Mother, an R.N. back in the days when nurses worked even harder and longer than they do today.  She was the epitome of the educated, experienced, compassionate Registered Nurse and I am so blessed to have had her in my life.