Excerpt from: New York Times (click for full article)
“What I see that prevents people from being able to stay at home [to die] is not their medical needs but the needs of their caregiver — can the caregiver really help, are there resources to help, or is that person going to be overwhelmed?” Dr. Morrison said.
There is professional help available. But before we get to that, here are what specialists say are the most common kinds of equipment and preparations you may need – though, of course, every person’s medical and emotional condition is different, as is every person’s home.
1. Make room for the bed.
2. Don’t forget curtains for privacy.
3. Get tools that keep them moving.
4. Fix their favorite chairs.
5. Experiment with earphones.
6. Make the existing bathroom safer.
7. Good lighting is critical.
8. Bedside commodes are a delicate matter.
9. Make breathing easier.
10. Are pain pumps or intravenous drips for pain helpful?
11. Should you order a hospital bed?
12. Consider hospice
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