Can't get comfortable

Hi all 

My dad has end stage bowel cancer. He's currently on pain meds but we just  can't seem to get him comfortable especially in bed. He's lost so much weight there's nothing of him.  He's in a hospital bed, but just seeing if anyone has any ideas. Xxx

  • Hi you don't say what sort of mattress your father has , my wife has a foam and air one after having pains with all the other ones pressure is adjustable for softness as well as with air flowing through all the time it moves slightly so helps stop bedsores coming or try a mattress topper some very thick and soft ones on the market,I use one myself as have back problems .

    You could get a full air mattress but I've found moving about can get wobbly as the air movement can keep going when you stop, but you can change pressure for softness or firmness.

    Good luck with getting him comfortable .

    Billy

     

     

  • Hi Lolly81

    i was in a similar situation with my dad, can the health visitors/district nurses provide a sliding sheet? It means you are able to help your dad move up or down the bed without having to push/pull him too much. It was good for when he was getting back in bed after a bathroom visit or sitting in his chair.

    We were also shown how to use pillows to prop daddy on his side to give him a break from lying on his back. Took a bit of trial and error and it's hard as you're aware of their pain but hopefully you can manage to make him comfortable. Slightly raising the head and foot of the bed was how my daddy was most comfortable as he wasn't slipping down the hospital bed. Don't be afraid to ask the health visitors/district nurses to show you. 
    hope this helps x