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Your caregiving tips & "How to" video demos for caregiving at home

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Sep 22, 2016

Here is a series of short videos by Virtual Hospice demonstrating many of the tasks caregivers may have to do at home. 
They include demos of:

Administering medications

  • Applying a medicated patch (2:51)
  • Applying oxygen (1:42)
  • Giving medication by suppository (0:20)
  • Giving medications by mouth (2:28)
  • Giving medications through the nose (2:00)
  • Giving medications under the tongue (1:25)

Helping with movement

  • Making a bed with someone in it (4:29)
  • Moving from bed to wheelchair (3:31)
  • Moving toward the head of the bed (3:03)
  • Providing help with walking (2:27)
  • Turning someone in bed (3:39)

Personal hygiene

  • Caring for hair (2:17)
  • Caring for the skin (2:16)
  • Giving a bed bath (3:59)
  • Helping with mouth care (4:33)

What tips for common tasks would you add?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers Support Group.

Mentor
Scott, Volunteer Mentor | @IndianaScott | Sep 23, 2016

Great idea @colleenyoung! I'd start with this suggested tip. When it first becomes evident your patient may be changing and losing mobility try and get them to agree to let you try a 1-person transfer before it is actually needed. It can give the patient a sense of understanding before you have to do it for real.

It was had for my wife to agree to let me do it with her, but down the line, when it was the only way to get her from bed to chair, commode, etc. it gave her a better sense of what was to come and a sense of comfort knowing I could do it.

Eased a bit of the fear.

Peace, strength, and courage to all caregivers

REPLY
lamerex4 | @lamerex4 | Sep 23, 2016

My one concern is that for the non-medical professional, this list may appear daunting and dissuade them from caring for their loved ones as they transition to the next life. All of the above could be done by a Hospice staff person if the family is not comfortable doing these tasks. I have transitioned three relatives in my home and wouldn't trade the experience for anything. It is truly an awe inspiring time of life. But I am also an RN. I helped my sister and a dear friend realize they could do the above tasks but I was right there beside them all the way.

REPLY
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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 23, 2016
In reply to @lamerex4 "My one concern is that for the non-medical professional, this list may appear daunting and dissuade..." + (show)
@lamerex4

My one concern is that for the non-medical professional, this list may appear daunting and dissuade them from caring for their loved ones as they transition to the next life. All of the above could be done by a Hospice staff person if the family is not comfortable doing these tasks. I have transitioned three relatives in my home and wouldn't trade the experience for anything. It is truly an awe inspiring time of life. But I am also an RN. I helped my sister and a dear friend realize they could do the above tasks but I was right there beside them all the way.

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Really good point @lamerex4! Thanks for making it. You're absolutely right that many if not all of the tasks demonstrated in the videos can and are often done by hospice staff in the patient's home. Because of your message I changed the wording above from "are required to do" to read "may have to do".

However, out of the list, there are often a few tasks that a family caregiver may do between visits from the hospice staff. The videos are a helpful reminder of how to do them. A little bit like having you by their side like you did for your sister and friend :).
Additionally it is great to have fellow caregivers of this group to get tips from.

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