6
CARING FOR THE PATIENT
BASIC CARE
BATHING • During shower or bath time, provide privacy and warmth by partially covering the patient with a light towel or blanket and washing one small area at a time.
• Make sure to wash face, hands, back, underarms and genitals at least once a day. • Wash the face first and work down to the feet. Genitals and buttocks are always last. • Be gentle when soaping, rinsing and drying the skin. • Apply moisturizing lotion to all areas, as it helps to protect the skin. • Take time to shave, comb, brush or style hair. Grooming can provide an emotional lift.
• Choose loose-fitting, comfortable clothes. If dressing and undressing become more difficult, consider cutting old t-shirts and nightgowns down the back and sewing ties or velcro to make them easier to remove. Clothing that is tight, has buttons, or has thick seams can actually injure the skin if the patient is in bed or in a chair most of the time. • A sponge bath in bed may become necessary when the patient has great difficulty getting to the tub or shower, or if slipping or falling are possible. Ask your Care Team for instructions on giving sponge baths. • A hospice aide can come to help with the bathing and grooming. • Your nurse will help arrange additional equipment to make bathing safe and more comfortable. MOUTH CARE AND CLEANING • Be sure the patient is in an upright position to prevent choking. • Moisten the mouth first with sips of water or a damp cloth. • Gently brush teeth and gums with a mild toothpaste or small cloth wet with diluted mouthwash using a washcloth, towel, or bowl under the chin can help catch fluids. • If rinsing and spitting is difficult, use a washcloth, a “toothette” (disposable foam stick), or a gauze pad mois - tened with water or diluted mouthwash. • If the patient wears dentures, remove and clean them after eating. Make sure to clean the mouth gently with a soft toothbrush or cloth before replacing dentures. • For dry mouth, use ice chips, ice pops, or lollipops to suck on. Hard candy can be a choking hazard, so lol- lipops are preferred. A saliva substitute, an item found at most drug stores, may also be helpful. • Apply lip balm several times daily for chapped lips. If the patient is using oxygen, only use lip balms that do not have petroleum.
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