Learning how to care for your loved one without straining is important. Of course, because of the intimate nature of bedside care, any person helping would have to be acceptable to your loved one. A friend or relative who is a nurse would be able to demonstrate how to provide bedside care. The RN case manager from the hospice will also show you what needs to be done. When a person is unable to get up out of bed, or even turn in bed by themselves, they are dependent on the caregiver for their needs.
Hospice care is directed toward meeting the needs of the terminally ill.
You will be an important part of the overall team that helps to keep your loved one comfortable and helps to meet his or her needs. Even with hospice services, there will be many times when you will need to be at the bedside assisting your loved one. Of course, if there is an actual crisis in symptoms out of control, then the hospice will provide additional continuous nursing care. Learning how to provide the care needed without straining your back or otherwise injuring yourself is so important. The hospice's RN case manager assigned to you will be most helpful in providing you with the information you need to provide care for your loved one.