Home-based care for persons with brain damage during rehabilitation is essential, and good home-based care can significantly improve the rehabilitation and quality of life of patients. The following are some of the main points of practical home care:
I. Basic livelihood care
1. To maintain a clean, comfortable and safe living environment. Regular cleaning of rooms, removal of barriers, such as removal of carpets that could cause slippage, installation of hand helpers in the bathroom, etc., create barrier-free spaces for patients.
Assisting patients in personal hygiene care. If the patient is helped to wash, bathe, and the water is warm enough to avoid burns. The patient is regularly replaced with clothes, sheets, and the skin is kept clean and dry to prevent scabies. In the case of long-term bed patients, a time shift, a back pat, the promotion of blood circulation and the prevention of lung infections and scabies.
II. Catering
1. Ensuring nutritional balance. People are provided with nutrient-rich foods such as skinny meat, fish, eggs, fresh vegetables and fruits. At the same time, the diet needs to be adapted to the specific circumstances of the patient, such as ingestion difficulties, diabetes, hypertension, etc.
2. For patients who have difficulty swallowing, the food field needs to be adapted. The food can be shredded, boiled, made into paste or mud, so that the patient can swallow. When feeding, the patient sits in or half-bed, slowly feeding and avoiding coughing. In cases where patients suffer from frequent coughing or severe swallowing difficulties, timely medical attention should be given to feeding methods such as nasal feed.
III. Rehabilitation training aids
Physical functional training: Assisting patients in passive physical exercise, such as stretching, rotation, etc., under the guidance of a doctor or rehabilitation therapist to prevent muscle atrophy and stiff joints. Active sports training, such as catch, stand, walk and so on, increases as patients recover. Patients are encouraged to use their limbs more often for their daily activities, such as the taking of objects, the taking of food on their own.
2. Language function training: patient interaction with patients if they have language barriers. Starting with a simple pronunciation and vocabulary, the patient is gradually being guided in the speech. The ability to understand and express their language can be developed by making them read cards, repeat stories, etc. At the same time, create a climate of easy communication and do not rush to correct patients ‘ incorrect pronunciation or expression and to increase self-confidence.
Psychological care
People with brain impairments may suffer from physical dysfunctions resulting in anxiety, depression, irritation, etc. Families need to be fully understanding, tolerant and caring, to be more supportive of their patients and to listen patiently to their feelings and demands. Encourage patients to participate actively in rehabilitation training and to acknowledge in a timely manner their progress at every point in the rehabilitation process and help them build confidence in overcoming the disease. The help of a professional psychologist can be sought when the patient ‘ s mood is more volatile and self-regulating.
V. Disease surveillance and safety protection
The changes in the patient ‘ s condition are closely observed, such as the state of consciousness, physical activity, language ability, diet and defecation. In case of anomalies, contact the doctor in a timely manner. At the same time, safe protection is provided to patients, such as by placing a guard fence on the side of the bed in order to prevent the patient from falling into the bed; and safe custody of dangerous items, such as knives, medicines, etc., is provided to avoid the patient ‘ s errors. When going out, they are accompanied by a person to prevent the patient from going missing or having an accident.
Home care during the rehabilitation period for brain damage is a long and detailed process that requires a great deal of effort and patience from families. Through scientifically sound home-based care, patients can be helped to better restore their physical functioning, improve their ability to take care of themselves and return to their families and society at an early date.
