American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [144]
Supporting the feet with a footboard
Supporting the hand with foam-rubber padding
Range-of-motion exercises will help prevent a bedridden person’s hands, arms, and legs from stiffening and contracting. The person should move each limb up and down and away from and toward the middle of the body. This process is called active range of motion. If the person cannot move a limb, the caregiver should perform passive range-of-motion exercises. Gently hold the person’s limb at each joint and move the limb in all the directions in which it can move normally. These exercises also help stimulate blood circulation and help prevent blood clots from forming in the legs. A visiting nurse can teach you how to correctly perform range-of-motion exercises.
Exercising the leg
Range-of-motion exercises
If the person you are caring for is immobile or has difficulty moving, help him or her to perform range-of-motion exercises to prevent the hands and limbs from contracting. Gently bend and straighten each elbow and wrist, and the fingers and thumb of each hand. Raise each leg, bending and straightening the hip, knee, and ankle.
Straightening the elbow and wrist
Bending the elbow and wrist
Encourage the person to move each joint through its entire range of motion several times a day. To prevent injury, do not try to move any joint that resists motion. Never move any limb beyond the point at which it causes discomfort or pain. If resistance or pain occurs, tell the doctor as soon as possible.
Helping the Person Get Out of Bed
A person who has been confined to bed for a long time is likely to feel weak and dizzy when getting out of bed for the first time. To prevent a fall, have the person sit up slowly and rest on the edge of the bed for a few minutes before trying to stand up. Place a sturdy chair beside the bed. When the person feels steady, stand directly in front of him or her so he or she can lean on you for support. Hold the person under the arms. Then help the person turn slowly, and gently and carefully lower him or her into the chair. As the person begins to feel stronger, have him or her try to take a few steps, using your arms for support.
Positioning an Immobile Person in Bed
A person who is confined to bed often tends to slide toward the foot of the bed. To move an immobile person toward the head of the bed, you first need to help him or her to a sitting position.
An immobile person’s body should always be properly positioned to help prevent deformities. Proper positioning can be achieved using pillows and bolsters. For example, when a person is lying on his or her side, instead of elevating the head of the bed, place a pillow under the upper leg and arm. And place a pillow or bolster behind the person’s back to prevent him or her from rolling backward. A person who has little fat on the hips should not be positioned fully on his or her side. Instead, position him or her in a 30-degree side-lying position to help prevent the development of pressure sores in the hip area.
Moving a Person in Bed
1. To help the person sit up in bed, first arrange the pillows so that his or her shoulders are elevated. Cross the person’s arms at his or her waist. Place your hands over the person’s shoulders and place your knee on the bed, next to his or her hip. Place your other foot firmly on the floor next to the bed, slightly ahead of your knee and even with the person’s waist.
2. Firmly grasp the person’s shoulders, keeping your arms straight, and slowly move back, using your weight to pull him or her up toward you.
3. If you want to move