A hospital stay is usually just one stage of cancer treatment. After it ends, the patient continues their recovery and rehabilitation at home. Unfortunately, some patients require palliative care. In both cases, it is important to ensure that the equipment for the patient’s room. Here are some tips on how to organize home care after hospitalization.

How do you organize home health care?

Providing home care for a cancer patient is a significant challenge for everyone in the household. You need to prepare a room for the patient or adapt part of the house to their needs, and it’s not uncommon to have to change the family’s daily routines and schedules. All of this is done to ensure the best possible care for a loved one.

Before you start planning a renovation or purchasing medical equipment, talk to your family. Caring for a sick person requires dedication. It cannot be left entirely to one person. One of the problems faced by the loved ones of cancer patients is what is known as caregiver burnout. Remember —to take care of someone else, you must first take care of yourself. Share the responsibilities of caring for the patient with your loved ones—decide who will buy rehabilitation equipment for the patient, who will prepare their room, who will stock up on hygiene supplies, and how to organize home care after hospitalization. Set up a schedule so that everyone in the household has time to rest.

Check out: How to Help People with Cancer.

How do you care for a patient after they are discharged from the hospital?

Home care for a cancer patient involves ensuring the patient’s physical and mental well-being—emotional support, daily hygiene, administering medication and meals, medical checkups, and rehabilitation. It also includes purchasing or renting medical equipment. The list is long, and each item on it entails additional expenses. How much does it cost to care for a cancer patient at home? Caring for a patient at home can cost thousands of zlotys a month. This includes the purchase of necessary equipment, meals, doctor and nurse visits, and sessions with a psychologist and physical therapist. The greater the patient’s needs, the higher the cost. Family members may also be forced to pay for a caregiver for the patient.

Find out: how much cancer treatment costs.

How can you prepare your home for a cancer patient?

When preparing a home, all of the patient's needs must be taken into account. Home health care for a patient recovering from treatment differs from that provided to a person in the terminal stage of an illness.

It will certainly be crucial to provide your loved one with a peaceful and safe space. If possible, set up a separate room for them. Bedridden patients need specialized equipment. Home care equipment for a palliative care patient primarily includes a rehabilitation bed, an anti-bedsore mattress and pillow, a specialized sheet, and absorbent pads. How much does it cost to prepare a home for a bedridden person? Adapting a room to the needs of a bedridden patient (medical equipment, furniture, assistive devices, hygiene supplies) involves expenses in the thousands of zlotys. The final cost depends on whether you buy or rent the equipment, and if you choose the latter, how long you rent it for.

People who use wheelchairs, those who need assistance with mobility, or those who are independent but still weak after treatment should have safe pathways throughout their homes. This involves removing rugs and objects that might obstruct their path, or installing additional handrails along the walls.

Additional grab bars, a special shower chair, or bath mats will also come in handy in the bathroom. If the patient is unable to use the toilet, a toilet chair on wheels or a bedpan/commode can be a solution.

Check out: How to Help People with Cancer.

What should you buy after a patient is discharged from the hospital?

Patients who have undergone cancer treatment may have a reduced appetite or difficulty eating. The situation is similar in palliative care. Specialized foods—available in several forms and flavors—may be a solution.

Be sure to keep a list of your medications as well. Ask your doctor about subsidized medications to help lower the cost of your prescriptions.

When caring for someone who is unable to care for themselves, you must remember to maintain the patient’s daily hygiene. What do you need to care for a bedridden person at home? Personal care and hygiene supplies, including waterless and soap-free cleansing products, adult diapers, protective creams to prevent pressure sores, and absorbent bed pads.

Rehabilitation – What Equipment Should You Buy for a Cancer Patient at Home?

Home care for cancer patients also includes rehabilitation. For those who have completed treatment, it supports and accelerates recovery. For patients in the terminal phase, it helps reduce pain and improve the patient’s comfort. For bedridden patients, rehabilitation also helps prevent pressure sores. A visit from a physical therapist should usually be supplemented with exercises the patient does on their own. What rehabilitation equipment is needed for the patient? Depending on their health condition and the physical therapist’s recommendations, this may include, among other things, a breathing trainer, bed-side handrails, and rehabilitation rotators. An electric lift, a standing frame, crutches, and a wheelchair may also be useful.

What equipment is needed to care for a sick person at home?

Depending on the course and stage of the disease, as well as the patient’s overall health, medical equipment for a cancer patient may include, among other things, a rehabilitation bed, an anti-bedsore mattress, toileting aids, rehabilitation equipment, and assistive devices (e.g., a suction device for removing secretions from the respiratory tract, an inhaler, an infusion pump for administering medications and nutrition, a blood pressure monitor, an IV stand, or a walker).

Check it out: support for cancer patients.

Can you have an oxygen concentrator at home?

Yes, an oxygen concentrator is one of the essential pieces of medical equipment for home care of people who require oxygen therapy. The device can be stationary or portable. How much does a home oxygen concentrator cost? The price of the equipment depends, among other things, on the type of power source and the concentrator’s operating modes. You also need to factor in accessories such as oxygen tubing, oxygen cylinders, and filters. A good-quality concentrator costs several thousand zlotys. You may also consider renting medical equipment for the patient—the monthly cost for an oxygen concentrator ranges from approximately 150 to 400 zł. The price is set individually by medical equipment rental companies and may vary depending on the location of the store. Some rental companies also require a refundable deposit.

How much does a rehabilitation bed cost for a patient?

A rehabilitation bed is the most important piece of equipment for a bedridden patient—whether they are recovering from surgery or require palliative care. The price of the bed depends on several factors. You must choose between an electric bed and a manual bed. The former is a multifunctional bed controlled by a remote. This makes things much easier for the caregiver and provides comfort for the patient. A manual bed requires the caregiver to lift the patient manually when changing positions, which over time can lead to strain or even a back injury for the caregiver. A good-quality electric rehabilitation bed costs several thousand zlotys (usually between 2,000 and 3,500 zlotys). Another option is to rent a bed—depending on the model, this will cost you from about 100 to over 300 zł per month. A refundable deposit, as well as transportation and assembly costs, may be added to the quoted price. Also check whether the store rents the bed with or without a mattress. 

How can I finance medical equipment for home care?

Home care for a cancer patient requires certain financial outlays, which put a strain on the patient’s family’s already tight household budget. When choosing medical equipment for the patient, you have two options—buy the necessary accessories and furniture, or rent them. In the first case, you can count on a reimbursement from the National Health Fund (NFZ) for certain items and equipment, such as the purchase of a wheelchair or adult diapers. However, keep in mind the reimbursement limits. Some people decide to apply for financial assistance from MOPS or PFRON. Unfortunately, even this type of assistance does not cover the full cost of home care for a cancer patient.

If you or a loved one needs to raise funds for medical equipment for home care, join Cancer Fighters. Fundraising for cancer treatment is often the only way to ensure that a patient receives proper care at every stage of the disease. Donors are more likely to support clearly defined causes. When creating your fundraiser description, be sure to list in detail the patient’s needs and the equipment that will be purchased with the funds raised. We’ll help you set up your fundraiser and promote it on social media. Remember—together, we can do more!

Check out: what you can spend your fundraising proceeds on.