Other flu prep thoughts

[Tundra Gypsy]

No one has mentioned bedding or isolating family members who become sick. I had a thought yesterday and plan to follow through on it. I plan to start buying extra sheets to have on hand; and getting some waterproof pads for the grandkids. I'd keep the sheets changed to keep the sick person as comfortable as possible. Nothing is yucky as a sweaty sheet when you are sick.

Anyone have any other ideas as to what to have on hand to care for a sick person???? Shampoo-less shampoo? Tubs and sponges for bathing and cooling down the person; flexible straws for downing fluids; throw-away cups, thermometers, etc. ???? Bed pans anyone??? Lots of hospital type nightgowns??? Room humidifiers??

 

[breezyhill]

TG,
these are excellent questions. you know, caring for the sick is something we rarely do at home anymore in our society. if you have any old cookbooks, there was always a section in there about "invalid cookery", or cooking for the sick.

you know, the last thing someone who is ill needs, is to be given processed food. some of these recipes from these books, make a lot of sense.

i think i'll go to the local goodwill store and see about getting some extra sheets. it might be a good idea to get a few big containers of bleach, too.

breezyhill

 

[Tundra Gypsy]

Yep, BH, you are right about dealing with the sick at home and not being able to take them to a hospital. I want to know the nitty gritty; I want to do the very best for my family so that they will survive; and having the items to help me too if I'm struck down with the flu. I wouldn't want my family to be at a loss at to how to care for me if I come down with the flu. geez I hope others will give this some thought and let me know what they plan to do, once they have a family member down with the flu.

 

[kelee877]

It was mentioned in one of the other posts and you should have a quarantne room for sick persons..

 

[selah]

I'm just recovering from flu with 103 degree temps and I'd suggest lots of juice and something like gatorade to keep the electrolite levels up.. the hospital said it was good that I drank gatorade. also adult pads called "Depends" are very useful if you can't make it to the bathroom and you don't want a mess to clean up. not a pleasant thought but a reality to face.

I had Primo soups and they were nourishing and delicious. also yogurt was a big help.. these are processed foods but they worked for me.

definitely agree about the sweaty sheets.. if fresh sheets can be given every day that would be a real treat..

don't know about the need for disposable cups, if they go into the dishwasher after use the heat from that will kill any bugs.

 

[MaryLu]

One thing I do when my kids are sick, is to make the bed in several layers...

mattress, pad, sheet, waterproof pad, sheet, waterproof pad, sheet. That way if one messes up the sheet, or it becomes drenched, pull it off and there is fresh bedding waiting. Throw on a clean sheet and blanket and back to bed. It sure is better than making a bed at 3 AM.

 

[Gingergirl]

We have a bed and bath with an outside door that could become our sick room. I would move the full bed out and put in a couple of twin beds...easier to help someone if you can get to them easily from either side of the bed.

Layering the plastic mattress cover, rubber pads and sheets is a given.

I'm also considering buying a stack of disposable sheets. Kinda yucky I know, but with the expected sweating, and vomiting, and diarhea, I would quickly run out of sheets that I wouldn't have time to launder anyways. My time would be better spent at their bed and not the laundry room. Nor would there be many volunteers to handle the dirty (infected) sheets. Besides, years ago when I was ill with a very high fever, I wouldn't have noticed what I was lying on.

By the time they are recovering in bed, I can go back to the regular, laundered sheets.

Flexible drinking straws, extra pillows or blankets to raise the head of the bed, large bowl or basin for sponge baths, ice bucket or chest for ice chips, a clock, notepad and pen.

 

[Nuthatch]

An older woman who once lived in my house told me many stories. One was that when she was in her early teens she had an infectious disease ( I am sorry I do not recall what it was...respiratory I believe TB?). Anyhow, the family took a bed out onto the porch that had basically three walls and one open to the air to enter/exit from. She lived out there during the winter when she was sick for over a month. Worse comes to worse that might be an option for some folks depending on their setup and where they live, etc.

My grandmother told me of caring for her brother with TB out in the chicken house where he stayed for his convalescence. She had a plate/cup/silverware just for him.

 

[Bill P]

I am looking into IV pumps and sterile IV kits.

Also the hand held bellows for assiting breathing.

Probably a BP kit.

Maybe some Oxygen bottles.

There are alot of Home Care Supply Houses that could set up a Sick Room at Home as good as some hospitals.