One of life’s most emotional moments is witnessing a loved one in bed and in pain. The helplessness of not being able to give them the attention they require is far worse. What adds to the pain and suffering is not knowing what should be done. 

You must have seen bedridden patients using overbed tables. Ever wondered if it is necessary? Well, yes, because taking care of a bedridden patient requires more than just attention. The following guide will definitely help you understand more about this utility instrument and find the best one that suits your needs.

What are the Common Problems Faced by Bedridden Patients? 

It is critical to understand the challenges of an over-bed table before you plan to buy one. While talking about challenges, they can be both psychological and physical difficulties. Please go through the pointers to understand each one briefly.

• When bedridden patients are left untreated, they may experience serious discomfort and infections.  
• No activity may cause decreased flexibility, increased joint issues, etc.   
• Pneumonia, back discomfort, etc., are also some of the frequent diseases that may occur. 
• Sleep disturbances are also quite common.
• If bedridden for a long time, they may feel alone and powerless. 
• You might have to compromise with the appetite system. 

Nursing Care for Bedridden Patients 

A loved one needs specialised care for their comfort and safety. Be it from illness or accident, being bedridden is one of the toughest phases of life. To ease the patient’s suffering, here are some nursing tips carers should follow:

• Emotional Support 

Bedridden patients go through moments of loneliness and isolation. This overtime affects their mental health negatively. To recover, they must indulge in social activities. Also, carers must offer them emotional support. 

For instance, just watching TV or playing games together can help. This will help them feel less alone and isolated. You can also encourage them to make little daily choices. This includes what to wear or eat. This, as a result, protects their dignity.

• Hygiene and Skin Care

Bedridden patients may run the risk of getting bedsores sooner than anyone may notice. This happens due to the prolonged pressure on their skin. To prevent this, you must reposition frequently. 

Bathing as well as grooming are the two major concerns. The carer must look into these matters regularly. They need to observe that there should not be any bacterial dysfunctions anywhere. Changing clothes regularly can be a great option. 

• Manage Medications 

Bedridden patients may need medication to address underlying medical conditions. This includes pain management, infection control and other. Additionally, carers must make sure that they receive the right dosages of the medications at the right time. 

Also, look for signs of negative reactions or side effects. For comfort and convenience, you can use overbed tables to keep everything organised. To avoid missing or taking two doses, use a pill organiser or chart.

• Equipment Management 

For bedridden patients, utilising equipment is a must. Some best examples of medical equipment are hospital beds, overbed tables, wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, etc. In addition to purchasing, one should also make sure that the equipment is in good operating order. 

Before using, you must read the instructions given with each equipment. If you still find it confusing, simply seek professional help. If needed, carers must also be trained on using certain equipment. To maintain the patient’s alignment and posture, use foam cushions, pillows, or wedges.the

• Diet and Fluid Intake 

Often, you’ll see that the bedridden patients need your assistance for eating and/or drinking. Why is it so? It’s because they do very little amount of movements in a day. However, if they are left alone, there would be no one to handover the food or drink to them. And if that happens, they’ll get dehydrated in no time and their condition will get worsen. 

Solution: You need to observe them always so that they don’t get dehydrated. Also, keep track of their diet from time to time. Make sure that they intake proper and healthy food. 

IV fluids or a feeding tube may be required if needed. To stay hydrated, promote frequent fluid consumption, even in tiny sips. For patients with restricted movement, use supported cups or straws. You can also use an over-bed table for better organisation. 

How to Enhance the Comfort of a Bedridden Patient?  

Wondering how else you can enhance comfort and promote mobility? The best equipment you can use is an over-bed table. It is one of the many devices intended to improve patient care. Be it a patient’s stay in a hospital or at home, this adaptable and useful piece of furniture provides comfort and convenience. 

Numerous advantages of the overbed tables directly affect patients’ comfort and well-being. The plethora of benefits includes: 

• It gives patients a stable, level surface on which to eat securely and comfortably. This reduces the possibility of spills and messes.
• Bedridden patients can readily obtain food, beverages, prescription drugs, and personal items without asking for help or being dependent.   
• The majority of overbed tables are height-adjustable. This allows patients or carers to change the height to suit their preferences.  
• More than meal service, it can be used by patients for a variety of tasks. For instance, one can use it for writing, reading, drawing and more. 

Essential Nursing Tips for At-Home Caregivers 

Taking proper care of a bedridden patient goes beyond just having clinical expertise. Yes, this requires showing much empathy and special attention. For your help, here are some nursing tips to follow:

• Create a daily schedule and track meals, medicine, and other things. This leaves no room for confusion.   
• Speak politely and clearly in a soft tone and describe each step with patience.

• Maintain records of the patient’s daily activities. If you observe any changes in their behaviour, please report to your physician immediately.
• To avoid spreading infections, you need to maintain cleanliness. The patient’s bed should always be very clean and tidy. In such cases, an over-bed table is the best solution.
• For convenience and safety, keep daily necessities close to hand. This includes items like water, call bells, or tissues.   

A Quick and Smooth Recovery for You

At MedGuard, we provide you with a huge selection of over-bed tables. Made with premium quality, each table guarantees durability and longevity. Additionally, our tables come with unique features to enhance functionality for bedridden patients. The best part is that we keep our charges reasonable. For further guidance, you can contact us anytime.

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