If your loved one is not strong enough to get in and out of bed with ease, use these suggestions to help you change the bottom bed linens with the least discomfort and disturbance to your patient.
 
After removing the top linens and blankets, have your loved one roll onto her side. You may use a pillow, doubled lengthwise and placed from shoulder to hip, to help her maintain this position.

Next, stand on the side of the bed with her back facing you. Untuck the used sheet from the bed and roll it across the width of the mattress lengthwise so it’s in a line, head to toe, just behind her body.

Now take the new bottom sheet and make the undone half of the bed. Line up the remaining half of the clean linens head to toe behind your loved one, just before the rolled-up dirty sheet.

To make the other half of the bed, again assist your loved one to roll onto her other side (having removed the supporting pillow first, if using one, and then replacing it). Let her know she’ll feel a bump as she turns over.

Once she is positioned on her other side, remove the used sheet and pull the clean one across to make the second half of the bed. Replace top linens and covers and remember to change pillowcases.
 

Helpful Hints:

• It is often easier to use a flat sheet instead of a fitted one.
• If your loved one needs help rolling onto her side from a backlying position, stand on the side of the bed you need her to face, place one hand behind her hips to guide her torso. With your other hand, gently guide what will be her “top” shoulder to get her to the side lying position. Reverse and repeat to turn her to the other side.
• Surgical supply stores have bed rails that may assist your loved one in rolling side to side in the bed as well as ease any fear of her falling out of bed. The rails are stabilized by a section that slides between the mattress and box spring.
• If your loved one is incontinent, use an absorptive pad on top of the bottom sheet. It is very important to change a soiled sheet and/or pad right away, as skin contact on a wet surface can lead to skin breakdown and bed sores.
• Use a skin lotion to shield against moisture. Ask a home-care nurse or pharmacist for a recommendation.
   

Note: The information in this article is not intended to take the place of formal assessment of a person’s situation or abilities. 

Caregivers should always receive instructions from a healthcare provider before implementing the instructions given here.

Article provided by Caring Today magazine and www.caringtoday.com