Use of equipment and aids in palliative care
Equipment and aids that may be useful to enable a patient with palliative care needs to stay at home are shown in Equipment that may be useful for care of a patient with palliative care needs at home. Physiotherapists can advise on patient mobility aids (eg walking aids). Occupational therapists can advise on equipment and home modifications to make activities of daily living safer and more manageable for patients and carers (eg installation of rails in the bathroom). Both can advise on safe manual handling for carers.
Equipment and aids can be borrowed or hired from some health services, palliative care services, community care services or community pharmacies, or purchased from commercial equipment suppliers. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides funding for some equipment and aids for eligible people.
A shower chair enables the patient to sit down while showering.
An over-the-toilet seat (toilet raiser) keeps the patient higher and has built-in rails, to assist a weak patient to stand up.
A recliner chair enables the patient to sleep sitting up if required.
An adjustable hospital bed is required by many community nursing services once a patient becomes bed-bound, for the safety of healthcare professionals.
A pressure-relieving mattress can reduce the risk of pressure ulcers and skin damage as the patient becomes more bed-bound and cachectic.
A sheet made from sailcloth (a ‘slippery sam’) can make moving or turning the patient much easier.
A commode placed by the bed can reduce the risks for a weak or disorientated patient going to the toilet; a urinal can also be provided.
Various walking aids are available to assist with mobility. Needs may change as disease progresses. A lightweight folding wheelchair may also enable the patient to be more mobile and maintain social activities.
Oxygen-giving equipment. Careful assessment should be undertaken before oxygen therapy is provided (see Oxygen therapy for chronic breathlessness in palliative care). An electrically powered oxygen concentrator is far less expensive than oxygen from cylinders, although a small oxygen cylinder may be necessary for journeys outside the home.