Faster recovery of patient in the home depends on so many factors, even though we can consider four main factors :

Environment
Nutrition
Personal hygiene
Exercise

Environment :

Infection free environment in the home will prevent the nosocomial infection which may happen in the hospital

Convenient and comfortable environment in the home will help the mental health improvement which improves the physical health also Quite and noise free and warm environment in the home needed for good sleep, which helps physical and mental recovery of patient

Proper ventilation helps faster recovery by getting fresh air

Pure water, clean environment of home and surroundings prevent further infection

Proper light especially sunlight is needed for faster recovery

Adequate room temperature also needed for convenient and comfortable rest and sleep

Bed and bedding – clean and neat bed and bedding will prevent further infection process

Nutrition :

Patient may have loss of appetite , which can be managed by giving frequent and small diet

In some cases like, post-operative, diabetic or hypertensive patient etc, one should follow the dietician’s instructions.

Food should be prepared in a hygienic way to prevent further infections.

Having a glass of hot milk or protein rich food in the night menu helps good sleep

Should avoid alcohol, caffeine, salty, oily foods and excessive sweets

Personal Hygiene:

Hand hygiene before and after having food prevents infection

Should maintain mouth hygiene by brushing dailymorning and evening

Should maintain personal hygiene by daily bath and changing clothes

Avoiding smoking also helps in improving ones condition

Positive thinking, listening music and reading books to divert the mind from the disease condition

To know about different ways you can keep home-bound seniors active and avoid health issues, check out our blog here.

Exercise :

Regular and proper exercise will help faster recovery and also maintain good health

Daily walking

In case of bed ridden patient, physiotherapy is needed by means of passive or active exercises will help improve the condition

Speech therapy

BY Jun 14, 2017 / Thiyagarajan Velayutham, Founder, IHHC