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People often say that there’s no place like home, and that’s especially true for those who find themselves battling a serious illness and spending more time in the hospital then in their own home. Certain patients are lucky enough to receive home treatment, so they don’t have to travel back and forth between their house and the hospital. But this often means they need someone to take care of them during these challenging times.
If you have taken on the role of caregiver for a loved one and you want to provide the best in-home care for them, here are some tips that you might find useful.
Have a plan
Taking care of an ill person can easily become an overwhelming task, especially if you have no previous experience or any training in this area. You can’t become a doctor or a nurse overnight, but what you can do is prepare yourself as best as you can to provide the level of care that your loved one needs.
Getting organized and developing a home care plan can help take some of the burden off your shoulders. That implies making a list of all the tasks that you have to fulfill and creating a clear schedule. That way you’ll make sure you won’t forget about bills, doctor appointments, treatment plans, and so on.
Create a safe space
A home may feel like a corner of heaven, but it might not always be a suitable environment for a sick person. The good news is you can make certain adjustments to adapt the space to the patient’s specific needs and requirements. For example, you can bring in a hospital bed and other equipment to provide comfort and convenience, making your loved one’s life a lot easier.
It’s important to assess the home beforehand and make the necessary fixes, such as removing potential hazards or making structural changes. A specialist can assist you in this respect.
Stay on top of healthcare needs
Caring for someone who is seriously ill often implies performing certain medical tasks, such as administering the medication prescribed by the doctor. If the treatment plan includes various medications, with different dosages, given at different times of the day, things can easily get confusing.
It’s therefore important to get detailed instructions from the doctor and contact him in case something is not clear. Keeping in touch with your loved one’s health provider will help you stay on top of all their healthcare needs.
Ask for help
Some people suffer from severe illnesses that require extensive medical assistance, even if they can receive it at home. That means you can’t possibly do everything on your own, and you shouldn’t try to. Taking care of someone else doesn’t mean you have to stop taking care of yourself.
In this case, the best thing you could do for your loved one and for yourself is to ask for help, whether that means relying on other family members or friends for it or hiring a professional caregiver for certain tasks.
