Quick tip

I wanted to share this link about using canning seals as an anti-slip solution for small carpets. It was something that my Nana did and can still be useful even in this day and age.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/prevent-rugs-from-slipping-wit-160357

Neti Pot Safety - Part One

Sinus infections suck major big time. I am currently surviving asthma, pneumonia and a sinus infection. This is always interesting. Thank goodness for antibiotics.

http://www.netipot.com/usa/index.php

One thing that keeps going through my mind is "I need to use my neti pot" just so I don't use as much tissue paper as I am. Thing is, I remember one time I went to the hospital emergency room with a sinus infection and the doctor said to me to use either previously boiled or distilled water and I could not figure out why. I figured that my municipal water was safe, so what was with this advice?  Now that I think of it, all municipal water is only chemically treated, usually with chlorine and fluoride and  who knows what else, and that's about it.
Chlorine is a great chemical but it doesn't always kill microorganisms such as amoebas.  And here you are, putting tap water up your nose. This is can be a  bad thing because the membrane between your nose and your brain is the thinnest and who wants an amoeba in the brain?
I'm not trying to scare anyone from trying a neti pot, what I want to do is make sure that everyone has a great use of something ( that I call a watering pot for the nose) and can use it safely and to great effect.
All I'm saying is that I follow (now) the doctors advice to use previously boiled water and I find that (A) the salt is easier to dissolve in  the water and (B) the water is not so harsh on my nose. These are the only reasons I use boiled water now and that's all that matters to me. There are readymade packets of neti pot solution, but I've not tried them yet.
Next Time... I'm going to post how to clean your neti pot.

In the Bedroom (Not What You Think)

I was looking around on Pinterest today when I came upon this blog on Basic Bedside Care. It's a great starting point for anyone who is caring for someone who is bedridden - I just want to add a few more pointers.

1) Most medical devices can be rented. This includes things like adjustable beds, commodes, walkers, hoyer lifts, lifting recliners and air mattresses to prevent pressure sores. Renting is a great alternative if you are only going to be needing the device for a short period such as just getting out of hospital after a brief stay from a fall.

2) Have a comfortable chair in the room with arms and a good backrest. This is for guests, you and your loved one for when they feel able to sit up.

3) Find that old TV dinner table. They are useful for keeping supplies handy, for eating meals at that chair you have, playing games, and as a place for those get well cards and flowers. 

4) Some supplies you might not think of to have in the bedroom:  baby wipes- great for quick washes of face and hands as well as bottoms, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes for commode seats, paper towel for spills, box of tissue, examination gloves, disposable masks for those guests who insist on coming over with a cold, a couple of bath towels for moving your loved one, under knees, backs and positioning to prevent pressure sores, and a plastic mug with a handle for water- it's lighter and won't break if it drops.

5) Keep the bedroom beautiful. This keeps it feeling like a home and more comfortable.

6) Talk to your health care workers about the positioning of medical devices such as commodes - where you'd like it and where it needs to be can be two different things.

7) A night light- This makes it easier to check on your loved one without having to turn on a light and disturbing their sleep also they can see where they are and where things are, like the commode or their water, thereby reducing the chance of falls and spills. 

8) A bed tray for eating and other activities like reading. They can be simple or as fancy as one that can hold a laptop or book while you are lying on your back.

Quick Caregiving Tip

Taking medications on time and correctly  improves safety and well-being.  If your loved one has to take medications at certain times of the day, you can usually set up multiple reminders in your phone (or theirs) using either an alarm or calendar alert or even use a digital kitchen timer. There are also Apps available for medication reminders and an advantage of using one of these is that you now have a list of the medications, how to take them, alerts to take them and some will remind you when to get refills.