Try: Discuss the process with the cr before and during the process remove all pillows if a hospital bed is in use return the bed to a flat position and lower the sidebar closest to the caregiver (cg) keep the cr’s arms and legs as close to his body as possible bring the pull sheet towards the cg stopping 4-6 inches from the edge of the bed the cg must remain on this side of the bed throughout this process release the pull sheet place one hand under the nearest knee and other hand under the nearest shoulder after bending the cr’s knee begin the turning process by gently directing the cr’s knee to the opposite side of the bed while guiding his shoulder in the same direction using the pull sheet to maintain the cr’s side lying position tuck pillows under the pull sheet to support the cr’s back and shoulders place pillows between the cr’s knees to support his upper arm and under the cr’s head for comfort

Materials: Table

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile

Information: n/a

References: oxygen use and care of equipment by head to toe care llc 2009 available at

Keywords: Bedbound bed turning repositioning pull sheet

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Make sure pillows for repositioning are not too fat because it makes tucking difficult and the cr will not be able to keep his position if bed doesn’t have side rails line up backs of heavier chairs along the sides of the bed to prevent falls involve the cr in the process of turning and repositioning to make it more enjoyable for him and easier for the caregiver (cg)

Materials: Heavy chairs with backs

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile

Information: n/a

References: turning and repositioning a bedbound person by head to toe care llc 2009 available at

Keywords: Bedbound bed turning repositioning pull sheet pillows

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Encourage the cr to brush his or her teeth after every meal if the cr has dentures encourage him or her to rinse them off with warm water after every meal help the cr use a mouthwash that destroys bacteria encourage the use of mints to freshen breath recurring bad breath can be a sign of gum disease check regularly for signs of inflammation along the gum line

Materials: Toothbrush toothpaste or denture cleaner mouthwash mints

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Social, Some Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Breath embarrassing dentures gum disease halitosis

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Try this # begin with offering the cr large quantities of juice and water prune juice is generally the most effective if prune juice is not tolerated mix with apple juice # help the cr get up and walk around as much as possible while he or she is constipated # if the first two steps do not provide relief ask the cr to use a mild laxative until there is relief from the constipation

Materials: Juice laxative

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Some Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Constipation menu meal planning groceries fiber diet

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Encourage the cr to do the following exercise to lessen the arthritus pain #ask the cr to rest the right forearm on a table allowing his or her hand to extend over the edge #ask the cr to relax the fingers and bend his or her wrist up and down #ask the cr to repeat with the left forearm

Materials: Table

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Pain management exercise

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Encourage the cr to brush his or her teeth after every meal if the cr has dentures encourage him or her to rinse them off with warm water after every meal encourage the cr to find a mouthwash that destroys bacteria and use it on a regular basis encourage the use of mints to freshen breath recurring bad breath can be a sign of gum disease check the cr regularly for signs of inflammation along the gum line

Materials: Tooth brush toothpaste or denture cleaner mouthwash mints

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Social, Some Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Breath embarrassing dentures gum disease halitosis

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Change the cr’s position every 15 minutes or so during the day and every two hours at night help the cr lay at a 30 degree angle on his or her side and avoid lying directly on the hip bone support the cr’s legs with pillows from the calf to the ankle but avoid placing pillows directly behind knees to reduce the restriction of blood flow use pillows and body supports to keep body parts from touching

Materials: Pillows body supports

Categories: Medical Physical, Needs Much Assistance, So-So Touch, Poor Touch

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the mayo clinic internet website www mayoclinic com bedsore prevention information

Keywords: Bedsores abscess blister pressure prevention sores wounds

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Make sure that oxygen is flowing freely by quickly kinking and releasing the tubing listening for the rush of oxygen through the mask or the nasal cannula use mild soap and water to wipe the inside of the mask and the tips of the nasal cannula at least daily change the tubing and mask cannula as directed if cr uses a concentrator check and change or clean the filter as directed

Materials: Mild soap and water extra tubing and masks cannulas extra concentrator filters

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: oxygen use and care of equipment by head to toe care llc 2009 available at

Keywords: Breathing oxygen oxygen tank oxygen tubing oxygen mask concentrator

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Cover flat cleared and clean area with paper towels assemble all supplies and equipment discuss cleaning and care procedure before and during process with the cr wash hands and wear disposable gloves place 3-4 cotton tipped applicators in paper cups filled and labeled 1 for sterile water and 1 for hydrogen peroxide fill the 3rd paper cup with hydrogen peroxide suction trach first to clear airway if the trach tube is designed with an inner tube called a cannula remove the inner tube by dialing to unlock it place the inner tube in the paper cup filled with hydrogen peroxide soaking will break up dried secretions and make cleaning with the cotton tipped applicators easier clean around the trach to remove any dried secretions with 1-2 of the cotton tipped applicators from the hydrogen peroxide cup wash with 1-2 cotton tipped applicators from the sterile water cup discard all applicators in disposal bag after use replace soiled neck band by holding onto both the sides of the trach tube press gently on one side and then the other lift and remove the soiled trach neck band replace and secure it with one end of the clean neck band at a time until both sides of the soiled neck band have been removed and a new neck band is now in place adjust the back of the adjustable band for comfort place the special dressing called a trach dressing it is a rectangular shaped gauze with a cut out area that fits around the trach under the neck band and around the trach tube to prevent skin irritation finish cleaning the inner cannula that was soaking in hydrogen peroxide rinse with sterile water dry reinsert into trach and lock into place make sure cr is comfortable with end result take out and clean the inner tube cannula every 4-6 hours consider more frequent cleaning if secretions are building up on the inside

Materials: Hydrogen peroxide sterile water cotton tipped swabs small soft trach brush paper cups – 2 cups labeled hydrogen peroxide and 1 cup labeled sterile water roll of paper towels special guaze trach dressings disposal bag disposable gloves suction equipment tested and functional suction catheter flat cleared and cleaned area

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: oxygen use and care of equipment by head to toe care llc 2009 available at

Keywords: Tracheotomy tube breathing problems cannula tracheotomy secretions trach

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Remove clutter from area including all scatter rugs discuss with the cr the process before and during the transfer the amount of room available for transfer will dictate which side of the bed to transfer from determine if the cr has a stronger side because he will be better able to scoot to the edge of the bed on that side prior to transfer position wheelchair on the cr’s strongest side for example if the right side is strongest transfer the cr from the right side of the bed assist cr to edge of bed and to sitting position first with feet dangling and then with feet on floor for ease of transfer position the wheelchair next to the cr’s knee on his strongest side pull wheelchair within a foot of the cr’s knee and lock the wheelchair brakes explain the sequence of lifting and pivoting into the wheelchair for example on the count of 3 i am going to help you stand up and turn to your strong side and sit in the wheelchair using the bear hug technique ask the cr to place his arms on the caregiver’s cg shoulders as the cg places his arms around the cr’s trunk bracket the cr’s feet with the cg’s feet to prevent slipping using leg muscles stand up and bring the cr upward in a slow steady rising motion if cr is capable have him reach for the furthest wheelchair armrest pivot towards wheelchair seat and lower the cr slowly attach or swing foot rests of wheelchair into place place cr’s feet onto foot rests of wheelchair

Materials: Nonskid slippers shoes or socks adequate room to maneuver

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance

Information: n/a

References: oxygen use and care of equipment by head to toe care llc 2009 available at

Keywords: Wheelchair transferring bed

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed