Be Keen to Hygiene: Essential Hygiene Tips for Caregivers of Homebound Patients

To be around a homebound patient means watching your loved one slowly become unable to do the everyday things they used to do. Simple tasks like getting up to go to the bathroom, going to the kitchen, eating food, bending down, or going out to the park become challenging. You start by finding chairs for them to sit on, eventually needing to bring a portable chair everywhere. Waiting for the elevator feels endless—Level 0, 1, 2, 3… When will it ever get here? Who’s holding it up? And what happens when the electricity goes out? 

As tiring as it may seem to you, it is even more tiring and painful for the patient to lose their abilities, seeing those around them enjoy activities they once did and reminiscing on how that once upon a time used to be them. They go from holding someone’s hand for support to using a cane to relying on a wheelchair. As a patient, you start to depend on others more and more, often fostering feelings of helplessness. Going outside becomes challenging due to needing help from others. Not knowing whether to like your bed or not becomes a conflicting question, as it has become your source of comfort but, at the same time, your anchor. The bed becomes your place for everything, where people visit you, sleep, eat, and frequent doctor check-ups. For some, it even becomes the place where they worship, as they cannot move as much. It feels like your room has become your life, inside the comforts of your home. This is why it is important to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible. Thus, maintaining a hygienic lifestyle can help you feel refreshed and clean.

Staying in one place for a long duration can make one feel ill or unsettled, especially regarding hygiene. The only way to refresh oneself mentally and physically is to remain clean. This is why we often take hot, lengthy showers or prioritize self-care. Home health aids and nurses are crucial because they help patients engage in activities they could once do independently, which is essential for maintaining a healthy life. They play a significant role in improving the quality of life for their loved ones and patients. Therefore, here are some personal hygiene tips for caregivers who are taking care of homebound patients:

For Caregivers:

• Maintain your hygiene before helping your patient: It wouldn’t make sense if you tried to help maintain a patient’s hygiene without first taking care of your own.
• Wear clean clothes: Wearing clean clothes before visiting your patient ensures cleanliness.
• Wash and disinfect your hands: Washing your hands keeps both you and your patient healthy. You should especially make sure to wash them before touching or caring for your patient or preparing their food.
• Wear gloves: Make sure to wear gloves for bathing or toileting.
• Maintain a tidy workspace: Clean up as you go, e.g., in the kitchen and bathroom. Try to always maintain an organized and tidy work area.
• Don’t visit the client if you may be sick: You don’t want to accidentally spread something to your patient.
• Don’t use the same equipment: Make sure to sterilize equipment before using it on different patients.

For Patients: 

• Take regular baths: Make sure to take baths regularly in order to keep your skin clean and healthy.
• Hair care: Make sure their hair is clean and neat. Putting hair in a braid is one of the easiest and most convenient styles that helps prevent hair from getting in the face while also keeping it tidy.
• Nail care: Trim their nails to prevent any infection.
• Bedding: Change the bedding frequently to ensure cleanliness.
• Oral care: Brush their teeth after meals to ensure good oral hygiene.
• Room cleanliness: Clean the room by disinfecting surfaces and disposing of any medical waste and trash.

General Tips:

In order to make things more interesting, consider doing other activities with your patients to keep them happy and prevent them from feeling lonely.

• Engage in activities: Engage in activities with them like reading books, listening to music, or even watching movies. You know your patient best!

• Be their friend!: Listen to their stories and get to know their likes and dislikes. By becoming their friend, it allows both you and your patient to enjoy the time spent together.

• Look out for their Mental Health: In case they show any signs of depression, reach out to a therapist or counselor for emotional support. 

It may seem like a lot to grasp, but it is important to understand what is necessary and then customize your own checklist to ensure you meet these requirements!