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• Mild shampoo
• Protective sheet to prevent excessive
• wetting of bed linen

• Provide heat so that the body temperature is maintained between 36oC to 37oC
• Provide for normal growth
• Replace cells as they get worn out or are destroyed by illness

Often, the one you care for will lose his appetite for food and drinks. There are many reasons. He may be experiencing:

• Sore throat
• Dry mouth or soreness
• Furring of tongue
• Swallowing difficulty
• Tiredness in eating
• Food and drinks that may be too cold/hot
• Food that may be too bland/saltish
• Feeling of sickness
• Fear due to nausea and vomiting after eating

The following will help to regain his appetite:

• Keep his mouth and tongue moist and clean at all times
• Give small amount of nourishing drinks (eg. Enercal, Sustacal) and food frequently
• Maintain lukewarm temperature on food and drinks
• Encourage small amount of fizzy drinks to limit nausea and vomiting
• Render lots of persuasion and coaxing
• Render unhurried feeding of food and drinks (even presentation of food is important)
• Use straw or feeder cup to serve drinks if mouth and tongue are sore

When the person is unable to eat by mouth or when he is unconscious, a tube may be inserted into the stomach through the nose to provide drinks and nutrients. This should be done by trained nurses or if you have been trained and are competent.

To prevent any mishaps, it is important to note the following when feeding through the tube.

• Position the person upright in bed
• Attach a syringe to the end of the feeding tube
• Using the syringe, suck or aspirate contents from the stomach
• Observe the nature, colour and amount of stomach contents
• If amount exceeds or equals the amount of the last feed, seek medical attention
• Do not feed more than 400 mls each time
• The sample of aspirate turns litmus paper red
• Smooth flow of fluid into the stomach by gravity
• Do not allow air into the tube
• The tube is cleaned after feeding by flushing through with water
• Place stopper in tube after feeding
• Keep tube in place by anchoring with a tape
• Change tube whenever it is dirty, blocked or every two weeks
• Tube does not pull or drag on the nose
• Prop the person up while feeding

Always remember to talk to the one you care for during feeding even if he may be unconscious.

Assisting the one you care for in passing motion can be embarrassing to both of you. This may be due to the unpleasant odour, the loss of dignity and the perception of dirtiness. However, this can be avoided if he is made to feel that passing motion is a normal activity of daily living.

To attend to his needs satisfactorily, you must know:

• How much he is able to help himself
• When he is likely to need help
• What his usual habits are
• His need for privacy

Do not worry if he does not pass motion every day, as it may be normal to do so twice a week, provided the stools are not hard or he needs to strain.

This happens when one passes stools frequently throughout the day. The material passed becomes liquid and in severe cases may consist of coloured watery fluid. Please seek medical attention immediately to prevent dehydration.

It occurs when defaecation of stools is not at its usual rhythm so the stools become dry and hard. It can also occur when the normal pattern is disturbed. This can be caused by:

• Poor intake of food and water
• Lack of physical exercise
• Effect of certain medications

Constipation can be prevented by:

• Recognising the usual habit of defaecation
• Providing regular time for the activity to take place
• Encouraging increase in physical activity
• Serving food that is rich in fibre (eg. vegetables, fruits, most cereals)
• Encouraging 6 to 8 cups of water a day, provided there is no medical advice to restrict fluid intake

If constipation persists, it can be relieved by the following:

• Insertion of suppository
• Giving of laxative (liquid or tablet)
• Giving of enema

• Personal Hygiene & Nutrition
  
• Incontinence
  
• Wound Care
  
• Exercise & Mobility
  
• The Psychosocial Aspect of Caregiving
  
• Medical Care
  
• Safe Use of Medicine
  
• Dying