Caring for a bedridden patient at home is a major responsibility requiring knowledge and support. The family is the first line of defense against pressure ulcers — and educating them can save the patient from prolonged suffering.
Practical Tips for Families:
- Written repositioning schedule: Post it by the bed. Record every turn with time. Every 2 hours alternating — back, right, back, left.
- Daily skin inspection: Check all risk areas — sacrum, heels, hips, shoulders. Look for non-blanching redness.
- Hygiene: Change clothes and sheets immediately upon any soiling. Use barrier cream (zinc or dimethicone) on moisture-exposed areas.
- Protein-rich food: Small frequent meals rich in protein — eggs, labneh, ground meat, lentil soup.
- Fluids: Offer water every hour even if the patient doesn't ask.
- Sheets: Cotton sheet pulled tight without wrinkles — wrinkles cause localized pressure.
At BEIT TARIQ Center, we support families with educational visits, regularly follow up patients, and provide a WhatsApp line for urgent questions.