ABSTRACT
This chapter provides guidelines for the non-professional carer and is intended to offer practical advice and ideas. The care of a Hickman or PICC line is best left to the nurse. Report any unusual redness or soreness without delay – it could indicate infection. One of the commonest problems regarding the toilet is access. A breathless patient or one who is too weak to climb the stairs to the bathroom can end up isolated in a bedroom upstairs because that’s the easiest option. Regular washing or a ‘freshen-up’ is something every patient will appreciate. A bath may not be possible, but a shower, if the patient is fit enough, requires less effort in terms of standing and sitting. A plastic garden chair might allow the patient to sit in the shower. The nurse and doctor are first contacts and the occupational therapist can advise about aids and appliances. The social worker will advise about finances and grants.
