[Resource] Essential Care Partner Toolkit

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Essential care partners may be supporting their family or friend with some of their basic care needs while they are in the hospital. These resources will provide you with some of the key information on how you can help. Before you provide care to a patient in hospital, please discuss it with the health care team and they will provide you with training to do so safely.

Resources

Hygiene

Supporting oral care, bathing, changing and more.

• Download PDF: Tooth brushing – information for caregivers (Source: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIH))
• English
• Spanish
• View page: Bathing a patient in bed (Source: MedlinePlus)
• English
• Spanish
• Watch video: Assisting a client with denture care
•  (Source: George Brown College)
• Watch video: Assisting the client with a bedpan
•  (Source: George Brown College)
• Watch video: Assisting the client with a brief change
•  (Source: George Brown College)
• Watch video: Bathing and dressing
•  (Source: Caregiver College)
• Watch video: Cleaning the area between the legs
•  (Source: George Brown College)
• Watch video: Dental Care (Source: Family Caregiver Alliance)
• Chinese Traditional subtitles
• English
• Spanish subtitles
• Watch video: How to give a bed bath in the home – tips for caregivers
•  (Source: CareChannel – Saint Elizabeth Foundation)
• Watch video: How to help with tooth brushing
•  (Source: CareChannel – Saint Elizabeth Foundation)

Infection Control

Putting on and taking off personal protective equipment.

• Download PDF: Personal Protective Equipment Instructions
•  (Source: UHN)

Meal Support and Nutrition

Providing assistance at mealtime. Prior to providing any food please speak with the care team daily to ensure there are no restrictions that day (e.g. fasting for a test or procedure).

• Download PDF: Mealtime Assistance Program Handbook
•  (Source: Hennick Bridgepoint)
• Watch video: How to help with eating and drinking as a caregiver
•  (Source: CareChannel – Saint Elizabeth Foundation)
• Watch video: Nutrition (Source: Family Caregiver Alliance)
• Chinese Traditional subtitles
• English
• Spanish subtitles

Safety, Mobility and Falls Prevention

Helping with patient movement in bed, to the washroom, exercise and more. Please check daily with the care team for guidance on what movements are most appropriate for the patient that day.

• View page: Caregiver guide and instructions for safe bed mobility
•  (Source: American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine)
• View page: Pulling a patient up in bed (Source: MedlinePlus Encyclopedia)
• English
• Spanish
• View page: Turning patients over in bed (Source: MedlinePlus Encyclopedia)
• English
• Spanish
• Watch video: How to help someone use a walker 
• (Source: CareChannel – Saint Elizabeth Society)
• Watch video: How to help with moving around in bed
•  (Source: CareChannel – Saint Elizabeth Society)
• Watch video: Walker to tub transfer
•  (Source: UHN)
• Watch video: Wheelchair to toilet seat
•  (Source: UHN)