Tips for Caring for a Bedridden Aging Parent

Seniors are often bedridden while recovering from injuries or living with conditions that impact their mobility. To increase your senior parent’s recovery odds and reduce his or her distress, you should provide empathy, gain knowledge about your elderly loved one’s condition, and develop a high-quality care plan. When your parent is confined to bed, consider using the following tips to boost his or her quality of life. 

Focus on Good Nutrition

Your parent’s doctor should provide a diet plan that lists foods to avoid and items to consume in higher amounts. To ensure your loved one receives the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients he or she needs, develop an effective meal prep strategy. For example, avoid serving larger meals that increase the need to use the restroom, and scale back on larger portion sizes that could cause an upset stomach. A good option is to prepare smaller meals and serve them to your loved one throughout the day. It’s also best to keep non-sugary beverages and water within your loved one’s reach to prevent dehydration. 

If you find it challenging to prepare nutritious meals for your parent, consider enlisting the support of a professional caregiver. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Fremont, CA, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. Our caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.

Encourage Movement

Seniors who can move independently should try to reposition themselves throughout the day. For instance, when watching television, speaking with family and friends, and eating, your loved one should sit up in bed. 

Lying down or sitting in the same position for long periods could increase the odds of bedsores and lead to poor circulation. However, by moving frequently, your loved one could work out his or her muscles and reduce the risk of infections and skin problems. Check your loved one’s comfort levels periodically to determine if he or she needs more sheets or extra pillows to cushion his or her back, knees, and ankles. 

Helping a loved one change positions regularly can be challenging for some family caregivers to accomplish on their own. The type of home care Fremont seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time. We are a trusted provider of respite and 24-hour care, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care for seniors.

Perform Proper Grooming Tasks

Being bedridden doesn’t take away the need for proper hygiene. Helping your loved one bathe and put on clean clothing is one part of the grooming process, and washing and styling his or her hair is also a necessity. Trim and clean your loved one’s nails often to reduce the odds of scratching or tearing his or her skin. Maintaining a clean and well-groomed appearance could boost your parent’s mood even when confined to bed. 

Keep Bedding Clean

Spending days in bed could increase the risk of accidents, such as spilled food and drinks or bladder problems. Keep your bedridden parent’s sheets frequently changed to prevent him or her from lying in unsanitary conditions. If your loved one has a urinary accident or spills food or beverages, change the linens immediately. Keeping the bedding clean could enhance your loved one’s mental and emotional health while lowering the risk of rashes and severe infections.Issues such as skin infections can be especially problematic for bedbound seniors, who may be more susceptible to germs because of diminished immune function. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional in-home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place. Call Assisting Hands Home Care today to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.