Caregiving Help Library


Keeping Warm |

by Linda J. Austin

My uniform was wilting in the humidity at 7 A.M. as I drove the back roads (winding in and out of Maine and New Hampshire) to Mary's house. I wondered what new experience awaited. Yesterday with the heat turned up to eighty and lying under three quilts Mary was cold - not goosebump cold, she was ice water cold. I thought of climbing into bed with her to give her my body heat -- that would mean undressing. This wasn't covered in nursing assistant training. A warm bath was out of the question - she could no longer walk. I took a deep breath to calm myself. As I massaged Mary's hands my father's words echoed, "Linda you can do anything you think you can. Only you can defeat you."

Should you find yourself in the same position - here's my solution:

Gather:

3-4 bath towels

flannel sheet or lightweight blanket

  • Put the towels in the dryer on high for about 5 minutes - turn the timer dial up higher because some dryers automatically cool down during the last 5 minutes

  • Untuck the covers at the bottom of the bed

  • Remove the towels one at a time - keep them balled up (to hold the heat)

  • Put the first warm towel under the patient's head & wrap like a winter scarf - be careful of the canula

  • Second warm towel - reach under the covers from the bottom of the bed & wrap the patient's feet loosely - do not bind

  • Third warm towel - reach under the covers & wrap the patient's hands - be careful of IVs - you may need 2 towels

  • When you remove the last towel from the dryer, toss the blanket into the dryer

  • Take the warm blanket & working under the covers, spread the blanket over the patient

    Note -

    Putting socks on cold feet just holds in the cold - warm the feet first

    If you don't have a dryer, towels can be warmed with an electric hairdryer

    If you don't have any extra blankets - towels or a sheet can be used

    Linda J. Austin writes from experience as a nursing assistance and a family caregiver. "When I was assigned my first hospice case, I found my place in life." Retired from several careers, Linda is studying creative art therapy.

       
    Florida Cemetery Funeral and Cremation Association International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association Pet Loss Professional Alliance