Proper home care is a cornerstone of better health outcomes. When managed correctly, it significantly reduces avoidable hospital visits – a major relief for patients and their caregivers. Hospital trips, especially for the elderly or chronically ill, can be physically uncomfortable, emotionally draining, financially burdensome, and disruptive to family life.
Reducing hospital visits without compromising the patient’s well-being should be a top priority. Below is a comprehensive guide of Do’s and Don’ts that, when implemented consistently, foster a structured approach to caregiving. Following these guidelines can help improve recovery, prevent emergencies, and ensure emotional and physical comfort for the patient and their loved ones.
Do’s: Best practices for effective Home Care
1. Follow medical advice diligently
- Always adhere to the doctor’s recommendations and care plan.
2. Administer medication on schedule
- Give prescribed medications at the correct times to prevent complications or deterioration.
- Use a pillbox or medicine organiser.
- Set reminders or alarms on your phone.
- Maintain a medication chart to track doses.
3. Maintain Hygiene and Cleanliness
- A clean environment is vital for preventing infections, especially in bedridden or elderly patients.
- Change the patient’s position every 2–3 hours to prevent bedsores.
- Use soft bedding and medicated creams when needed.
4. Change Bed Linen regularly
- Ideally, bed linen is to be changed every three days.
- For patients with chronic illness, excessive perspiration, or oil gland activity, change linen daily or every other day.
5. Ensure clean Sanitation facilities
- Keep the toilet area clean and odour-free to ensure dignity, comfort, and infection control.
6. Support Emotional and Mental health
- Never let the patient feel lonely – loneliness can worsen illness.
- Spend quality time, engage in conversations, and encourage social interaction.
7. Seek Psychological support when needed
- If signs of anxiety, depression, or behavioural changes appear, consult a mental health professional.
8. Practice Hand hygiene
- Wash or sanitize your hands before and after caregiving.
- Disinfect commonly touched surfaces regularly.
9. Monitor Vital Signs Regularly
- Keep devices like a BP monitor, glucometer, oximeter, and thermometer handy.
- Track readings of blood pressure, sugar, oxygen levels, and temperature.
- Maintain a log to identify abnormalities early.
10. Provide Nutritious food and ensure proper Hydration
- Consult a certified nutritionist to create a tailored diet plan.
- Ensure the patient stays hydrated.
- Proper nutrition and hydration boost immunity, promote healing, and aid chronic condition management.
11. Schedule Regular Health Check-ups
- Follow up with routine tests and doctor visits as advised.
- Keep all medical reports organized and accessible.
12. Consider professional Home Nursing Services
- Hire trained caregivers or nurses from reputable agencies.
- These services reduce stress for family members and accelerate recovery for the patient.
- Options range from hourly, weekly, monthly, to annual care based on need.
- Always ensure background checks (including police verification) are done.
13. Display Emergency contact information prominently
- Create a visible list of nearby hospitals, ambulance services, doctors, diagnostic centers, and pharmacies.
- In an emergency, this saves crucial time and could save life.
Don’ts: Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Don’t ignore Minor symptoms
- Signs like fever, fatigue, dizziness, or persistent cough may indicate a brewing health issue.
- Encourage the patient to report any discomfort promptly.
2. Avoid Self-medication
- Never administer medicine without consulting a doctor.
- Self-treatment can lead to side effects, allergies, or drug resistance.
3. Don’t skip Diagnostic tests
- Tests are essential for identifying underlying health issues.
- Skipping them can delay diagnosis and treatment.
4. Don’t neglect Mental and Emotional health
- Behavioural changes, anxiety, or signs of depression should be addressed promptly.
- Mental well-being directly affects physical recovery.
Summary
Effective home care reduces unnecessary hospital visits and provides comfort, safety, and dignity to patients. By following medical guidance, ensuring a clean environment, monitoring health, and addressing emotional needs, caregivers can create a healing space that supports long-term well-being.
