American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [135]
Massage the woman’s lower abdomen
16. After delivery of the placenta, place it in a plastic bag or other container to take to the hospital with the woman and baby for examination. Continue to massage the woman’s abdomen after delivery of the placenta.
17. Place sanitary napkins or a clean cloth over the woman’s vagina to absorb blood. Keep the woman warm and comfortable, and give her something nonalcoholic to drink to replace lost fluids.
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Home Caregiving
At one time or another, most families need to provide home care for a family member who is ill, aging, disabled, or recovering from surgery. Caring for a person at home can improve his or her sense of well-being, which can lead to a quicker, more complete recovery.
Preparing for Home Care
Home caregiving requires a well-thought-out care plan, which must be flexible enough to meet the continually changing needs of the person who is being cared for. Discussing expectations and potential problems in advance with all members of the caregiving team—such as doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers, and family members—will help you to develop a support network and the best care plan possible. The members of the caregiving team will consider the following factors when developing the care plan:
• How long the illness is expected to last
• How the person’s condition might improve or worsen
• Whether it is possible for the person to fully recover
• Whether rehabilitation therapies—such as physical, occupational, or speech therapy—will be needed to promote recovery, and who will provide these services
• The specific medical emergencies that might occur and how these emergencies should be handled
• Caregiving adjustments you will need to make
Setting Priorities and Goals
The best time to begin planning the transition from hospital care to home care is shortly after a person has been admitted to the hospital. A hospital social worker, primary care nurse, or case manager can guide you through this transition and help you plan successful home care strategies so you can concentrate on providing the best possible care for a person, once he or she leaves the hospital. Consider the following questions when developing your care plan:
• What types of care are needed, and what is the best way to provide them? Can you provide this care at home?
• Will the person require 24-hour care?
• If you need to monitor health indicators such as blood pressure or blood glucose levels, or administer and adjust medications, who will train you to perform these tasks? Who can you call for advice and help?
• Who will be part of your caregiving team, and what roles will they play? You may need the services of a variety of people, such as doctors, specialists, visiting nurses, therapists, and home health aides.
• What type of care is available, and from which agencies? Is the care effective and dependable, and what are the costs?
• Will you need any special equipment, such as that used to provide oxygen or intravenous feeding? Who will train you to operate it, what type of maintenance does it require, and who will provide the maintenance?
• Will physical changes have to be made to the person’s home to enhance his or her mobility and safety? For example, you may need to have ramps, railings, or electric stair lifts installed on stairways, or grab bars and handrails installed in bathrooms to help make it safer to use the toilet or bathtub.
• Will the person need specialized equipment to help him or her perform daily tasks? Various useful devices, such as a handheld device called a grabber that can help a person grasp objects that otherwise would be out of reach, are available from drugstores and medical supply companies.
• Will pets in the home create any problems? Some pet-related routines and behaviors may need to be adjusted to prevent accidents. For example, you might install a child safety gate to keep a dog from getting in the way of a person