(Please print this page for your personal safe keeping)

Bedroom:

  • Is the telephone conveniently placed by the bed so that it will not fall and is easily accessible? Are there emergency phone numbers posted so that they can be clearly read and are visible? Is a flashlight accessible by the bed for an emergency?
  • Is the head of the bed placed against the wall firmly so that it doesn’t move if someone were to fall?
  • Is there a lamp or light switch reachable from the bed?
  • Is there a bedside commode if needed?
  • Is the floor nonskid? Are rugs tattered where your loved one could catch their foot and fall? Are there nonskid area rugs?
  • Are there any dangling or exposed electrical cords?
  • Are there handrails to walk from the bedroom to the bathroom through the hallway at night?
  • Are bedrails installed if needed?
  • Is there a hospital type table that can fit over the bed if your loved one is bedridden?
  • If the patient is bedridden or has difficulty getting in and out of bed is there a trapeze secured over head?
  • Is a manual bed or electrical bed needed? If so they may be rented or purchased.
  • Is a foam pad such as an egg carton type pad or an air mattress needed to reduce bed sores?
  • If an electrical blanket is used is it in good working order?
  • Are there suspenders or clamps to hold the sheets in place so that they will not bunch up?

Author

  • Ms. Mitchell began her full-time caregiving experience in the early eighties when her husband was diagnosed with cancer. Later on she became the primary caregiver for her father, along with her mother who had become critically ill from burnout prior to her dad’s passing. In recent years, she cared for several friends with AIDS while continuing to care for her mother and actively providing support, information, referrals and resources for caregivers.

    Gail's leadership on the Internet and her success with Empowering Caregivers led her to found National Organization For Empowering Caregivers (NOFEC) INC in 2001.

    Prior to founding NOFEC, she created the iVillageHealth Chat: Empowering Caregivers, which she hosted for over 5 years. Within a month of hosting she created Empowering Caregivers: www.care-givers.com in 1999 as a resource for caregivers around the globe. Over three million visitors have frequented the website.

    She has presented at national and international care-related conferences and programs and has been a keynote speaker for many programs as well.

    Ms Mitchell has assisted thousands of caregivers online and offline in ways to empower themselves in their roles in caring for loved ones.

    For a list of clients and/or her resume, please contact info@care-givers.com

    Gail's articles have been published in many venues nationally and in Canada. Presently, she is a member of American Society on Aging and National Quality Caregivers Coalition.

    Gail has discovered that there is life after caregiving: She has become a successful ceramic artist and installation artist. She created Crystal Illumination Art to bring the transformative quality of illumination, light and color to the human experience and celebrate its ability to inspire, heal and nourish our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being.

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By Gail Mitchell