12 Tips for a Caregiver that can make your job easier and the patient more comfortable. Being sick, and needing care isn’t easy. But being a caregiver isn’t easy either. 
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The Accident
My husband of 45 years was partially paralyzed on his left side after a serious accident pinched his spinal cord. The surgery needed to un-pinch the spinal cord required fusing several vertebrae in his neck. When he came home after 3 days in the hospital, unable to move and close to being an invalid, I suddenly found myself in the position of sole, and only, caregiver.
The Caregiver
After surgery, he was in a neck brace for 9 weeks. During that time, not only was he not allowed to move or bend his neck, but he was not allowed to bend forward, twist his body, reach for anything, or lift anything. That meant he really could do nothing for himself.
Since he couldn’t bend over, he couldn’t dress himself. We live in a 2 story house, and since he could only see straight forward, he needed my help and guidance to go up or down the stairs. And because he was required to sleep on his back, he slept in the recliner, and I slept in the one right next to him.
The inside of his throat was so severely swollen that he could barely talk and was on a soft food diet. He needed a walker to help him walk. And, of course, he was not allowed to drive. One week out of surgery, he came down with a massive double infection that landed him in the ER. This was a major setback, both mentally and physically – for both of us. Since he needed continuous care, I had to take off over a month from work to care for him.
During that time, I found a few things that made my life, and his, easier. I’m confident that no matter what level of care your patient needs, these 12 tips will help you too.
12 Tips For A Caregiver
1. Baby shampoo
Baby shampoo isn’t just for babies. It is mild and doesn’t burn or sting the eyes. Because Mr. B could not bend his head forward or backward, there was no way to keep the shampoo from running down into his eyes. He tried shutting his eyes and holding a washcloth over them with only mild success. The baby shampoo was the perfect solution.
Just as with babies, if there is no way to keep the soap out of the patient’s face, using a mild baby shampoo saves the eyes and saves the tears.
2. Travel Pillow
Sleeping in a recliner and not being able to turn your head can be difficult. I tried tucking the pillows in and around his head to keep it stable and make it more comfortable. But the pillows always became dislodged. Then one afternoon, I remembered my travel pillow. I use it in the car, or the airplane, and even in my recliner.
The travel pillow, coupled with the regular pillows, made it more comfortable and easier for him to sleep on his back.
Just as an added thought, if your patient is living, eating, and sleeping in the recliner, cover the chair with a bedsheet. The sheet can be easily taken off and laundered. Getting a clean sheet on the chair feels as good as getting clean sheets on the bed.
3. Over the Bed Table
Invest in a bedside table that swings over the bed. Be sure to measure the chair or bed to be sure that the table is tall enough to reach over. Also, make sure that if the bottom of the product is suppose to go under the bed or chair, that there is room for it to do so. I chose a product that looks like an end table. It looks nice and gives extra storage. A bedside table takes much of the burden off of the caregiver and allows the patient to be as independent as possible.
4. Portable Chair Assist
Mr. B had difficulty getting out of chairs, so I purchased a portable chair assist. Many chair assists have to be placed between the mattress of the bed or cushion of the chair. That didn’t work well in our situation. The portable chair assist is sturdy and helps the patient lift himself from a sitting position. The caregiver can easily move the portable assist from the bed to the chair. And, although it can easily be disassembled for storage, ours has found a permanent home next to Mr.B’s bed. Well worth the money for us.
5. Cell Phone
While it may seem obvious, the most important piece of equipment needed is your cell phone. Keep it charged and keep it with you. In addition, make sure the patient’s cell phone is charged and within hands reach. When you sleep, make sure the ring volume is up enough to wake you. If you leave to run errands or go shopping, make sure all of the cell phones are charged. Or use it to just keep in contact just around the house. If needed, you can set up and install camera monitoring apps (baby monitors) that will allow continuous visual monitoring. Communication between the patient and caregiver, by text, face time, and calling gives both of you the security and comfort of knowing that all is well.
6. Extra Long Straws
I love straws, Mr. B not so much. I use them all of the time; he only uses them occasionally. However, with his head in a neck brace and unable to bend his head, it was impossible to drink out of a regular cup. So out came the straws. But it quickly became apparent that the typical 8.5″ long, grocery store type straw was too short to reach over the brace, and therefore, not really that much help. That is when I found these extra long bendy straws.
The photo shows the difference in the size of the straws. The red and white straw is a regular 8.5″ straw that can be bought in almost every grocery store. It stretches to about 9.5″.
The green straw is 10.5 inches and stretches out to 13″. Plus, the part above the bendy section is also longer. With the longer top section and the straw extended, the cup doesn’t need to be as close to the patient as with a regular straw, making it easier on the caregiver to help the patient.
The pink straw is a whopping 17″ and stretches to 19.5″. This is a very long straw. In addition, the diameter is 3/8″, making it even easier to drink from. In fact, it is perfect for thicker beverages like milk shakes or Orange Julius. (And there is an even longer 22″ straw if needed.) It is also perfect for those large water bottles that need long straws.
How to Size the Straw
I found that in some cases, even though he needed the extra length provided by the top section of the straw, the bottom section was too long for the cup. This was easily fixed by cutting off a section from the bottom. It can be easily cut with a pair of kitchen shears or even regular scissors.
To cut the straw down, set the glass very near the edge of the counter top. Hold the straw near the glass to determine how long you wish it to be. Place the bendy part just above the top of the glass and let the remainder of the straw dangle below the counter top. Just eyeball where the end of the straw should be to best fit the glass, then cut with the shears. For our tall glasses, I cut off about 4″. Could I have just used a shorter straw? Of course, but then I would lose the benefit of the extra long bendy section, and the long top section that provided the most comfortable drinking position.
7. Food Syringe
Many many years ago, when our daughter was a teenager, she had reconstruction surgery on her mouth. (See the full story on Orange Julius). She was on a liquid diet for three months before she progressed to a “very soft” food diet. Furthermore, she was not allowed to use a straw. To make it easier to eat and drink, she used a medical feeding syringe to squirt or push the food into her mouth. The syringes come in all sizes. And the tip can be cut off to make the opening bigger if needed.
Using the syringe, she was able to “eat” pudding, yogurt, soft ice cream, etc that she would, otherwise, not have been able to get into her mouth. The food syringe gave her independence and control over her diet, and lessened my burden as caregiver.
8. Small Plates and Cups
Depending on the level of disability, injury, or illness, the patient may not have much of an appetite or may not be able to eat much at a time. With Mr. B, he had difficulty swallowing, so he tired quickly and ate very tiny portions. As a caregiver, I needed to hand feed him for many days.
Small plates and cups to the rescue. To cut down on the amount of dish washing, use paper or Styrofoam disposable plates and cups. Plastic disposable utensils are also a big help. Because these items are disposable, they could be thrown away quickly to keep the bedside clean and sanitary. This drastically relives the burden on the caregiver. You can go back to washing dishes later.
9. Adult Sized Bib
Bibs work for babies. And they also work extremely well for adults. Eating in a semi-recumbent position leads to drips, drops, and spills. A bib keeps the jammies and the bedding clean. They come in both washable or disposable types; simple or fancy; floral, plain, or plaid. There is style perfect for your patient.
But – hey – if they object to a “bib”, just use a full size apron.
You can also use an adjustable napkin clip lanyard to make your own bib. Place the lanyard around the neck, and fasten in a hand towel. (think dentist office.). Bibs are really useful for the caregiver as well as the patient.
10. Homemade Ice Packs
Some injuries and surgeries require an ice pack to help reduce swelling. Here is an easy one to make. Using a disposable cup to measure, combine 2 parts water and 1 part rubbing alcohol and pour into a ziplock bag. Press as much air out as possible. Then place this ziplock bag into another ziplock bag to prevent leaks. Again press out as much air as possible. Place this in the freezer and let cool for several hours until it turns to a soft mush. The rubbing alcohol keeps the mixture from freezing solid.
Use this bag just like any other ice bag. It will be very cold, so be sure to place a towel or cloth between the ice pack and the skin for protection.
11. Convalescence Diet Ideas
This section is not intended to take the place of the doctor’s orders or recommendations. Be sure to follow all required diet restrictions and rules.
It is very tiring and limiting to be on a convalescence or soft food diet – not only for the patient, but also for the caregiver who must prepare the food. The longer the restricted diet is needed, the harder it becomes to satisfy the tastes and desires of the patient.
What is a soft food diet anyway? How soft is soft? Is “soft” a secret code for “bland”? Perhaps! But maybe not! Be sure to follow the diet guidelines recommended by the doctor.
If you have run out of ideas, depending on the type of diet restrictions, here are some ideas that you may not have thought of:
Breakfast
- Eggs – Is the patient tired of scrambled eggs? Cover the scrambled eggs with melted cheese or a spoonful of gravy. Or try a fried or soft boiled egg.
- Oatmeal and Cream of Wheat – add a spark of color by adding some cake sprinkles on the top.
- Omelet – filled with cheese and your favorite veggies.
- Soft Muffins
- Biscuits with gravy – a favorite at our house any day
Meals
- Salmon or flaky fish – baked or grilled
- Meatloaf – meatloaf breaks apart easily and can be flavored to taste like a hamburger, taco, barbeque beef, or lots of other flavors
- Casseroles made of ground meat, beans or lentils
- Soups and stews with very tender meat and veggies. Remove the meat and veggies from the broth. Cut them up very small, then add them back to the broth and reheat.
- Chili – if spicy food is not a problem
- Beef Stroganoff – served over rice or soft noodles.
- Taco meat, sloppy joes, spaghetti with meat sauce
Sides
- Macaroni and cheese
- Light, soft cooked pasta/noodle dishes
- Baked Apples – remove skin before serving if necessary. A baked apple is hot and delicious, and has a different texture than applesauce.
- Baked Potato – baked very soft. Remove skin and chop into small bites. Add butter, sour cream, cheese, cheese sauce, etc, as tolerated. This is a different texture and taste than mashed potatoes.
- lightly steamed zucchini and squash
- Canned fruit – especially peaches – are soft
Deserts & Snacks
- Homemade Banana Pudding – at our house, banana pudding is a favorite comfort food.
- Orange Julius – Tired of milkshakes and smoothies, try an Orange Julius. Or use grape juice for a “Purple Cow”.
- Cream filled chocolate, lemon, or coconut pie – buy the pie at the market, scoop the filling out of the shell, add an extra bit of whipped cream from a spray can. Top with a chopped maraschino cherry. Delicious and fun. Go ahead and make one for yourself as well.
Most importantly, good nutrition is always called for, but even more so when someone is sick or healing. For overall health, provide balanced meals every day. Choose foods from all 4 of the food groups.
12. Other Food Tricks
Here are a few tricks to help the medicine – or food – to go down a little bit easier.
- Having trouble swallowing that pill? Place the pill in a small spoonful of pudding. It is easier to swallow. After the pills are gone, the patient can finish off the pudding. For ease, use individual pre-made pudding cups from the market.
- Cut food, or use a blender, to chop mince, grind, mash, or puree the food into the texture or tiny pieces that don’t need to be chewed. The patient gets the taste and the nutrients, but does not need to chew. The food can simply be swallowed.
- Use gravy, broth, or sauce to moisten the food to make it easier to swallow – and it’s tastier, too.
- Popsicles – Popsicles are cold and fun. Chop the popsicle off the stick into bite size pieces. Place into a very small cup, cover with a lid, and place into the freezer. That way, when needed, like the middle of the night, just grab the chopped popsicle, and a spoon.
- Popsicle slushy – cover the chopped popsicle with Gatorade or Pedialyte.
- Flavored drinks – for a change, add some cherry flavoring to Sprite or 7-up. Torani syrup comes in many different flavors. Some of them are even sugar free. Similarly, snow cone syrup is also good and can be purchased in many grocery stores. For a quick fruit punch, mix Sprite or 7-up with orange juice or red fruit punch, about half and half.
- Take out food – the caregiver does not have to cook everything. We live a world of takeout and fast food. So let that work for you. Many places have menu items that are suitable. Get Mexican food take out. Rice and beans are soft. Dump the insides from tacos, burritos or enchiladas onto the plate and leave the tortillas in the kitchen. The pintos and cheese cup from Taco Bell is soft and a bit spicy. Wendy’s and Jason’s Deli have baked potatoes. Mashed potatoes and gravy can be found at KFC and many other places. Panda Express has soft beef, noodles, rice, and steamed veggies. Many barbeque restaurants serve finely chopped brisket without the sauce. Add any type of sauce you like. Or stop by the deli and pick up the soup of the day.
13. Bonus – Caregiver, Take Care of Yourself
Caregiver, don’t forget to take care of yourself. People kept telling me this. But what exactly does that mean? After doing my regular household chores, and taking on all of his regular household chores, plus the added burden of taking care of all of his personal needs from diet to bathing, I was literally exhausted. And I didn’t have any help. So if I got sick, there would be no one to take care of either of us.
Here are some suggestions and reminders on taking care of yourself.
- Sleep – when the patient is sleeping, take a nap, sit and rest, or just go to bed.
- Medications – remember to take all of your own medications, on time.
- Personal care – take time for your own personal hygiene
- Hydration – keep hydrated. Remember to drink enough water
- Diet – eating a good nutritious diet is always important
- Stress – what is your favorite stress reliever? Walking, reading, computer games? Whatever it is, find time to relieve your stress.
- Get Help – perhaps a friend or family member will relieve you for several hours. If they offer to patient sit, accept. If they offer a meal, accept. Allow them to be the giver.
- Shopping – There are many grocery stores now that provide shopping services. Some even have free delivery. Therefore, do your shopping online, then just pick it up. I used Walmart, but there are others. As a caregiver, this was a lifesaver for me.
The Recovery
Finally, after 6 months at home, Mr. B was able to return to his job. We are so thankful for his recovery. It was hard, but we made it through. And you will too. I would love to hear your care giving tips. Please share them below so that we can all learn.
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