Care receivers enjoy much better mental health, self-esteem and motivation in life if they have a comfortable living environment as well as social interaction opportunities. The caregiver has a responsibility to ensure these.

Care for living environment

Caregivers need to make sure that the care receiver’s living environment is

• Safe from accident-causing factors such as heavy objects, wet floors, obstacles and sharp objects. Find out more about providing an accident-free environment at palliative care: accident management
• Clean and hygienic to reduce the risks of infection, such as ensuring clean air and regular cleanup of used articles such as soiled clothes. Find out more about how you can ensure a clean and hygienic environment at palliative care: infection management
• Comfortable with the right room temperature, shower water temperature etc.
• Cheerful, vibrant and optimistic to improve the care receiver’s will to live and motivation in life.
• Ideal for preserving and respecting the care receiver’s memories.

Care for outing, social involvement and interaction

Care receivers benefit from opportunities to go out, socialise and perform activities they enjoy. Caregivers need to ensure that they provide care receivers with

• Choice of social interaction activities as per their requests and preferences.
• Safe and comfortable environments in which they can socialise and enjoy their preferred interaction activities.
• All the equipment they need to perform those activities.
• Transportation to and from the venues of activities.

Caregivers also need to watch out for any changes in the care receiver’s desire to socialise and pursue their favourite hobbies. Any sudden loss of interest in an activity previously enjoyed needs to be viewed as a possible indication of declining mental health, e.g. depression. Find out more about common mental health issues faced by care receivers at overview of mental health issues

Article reviewed by David Tay, Senior Principal Educator (Nursing and Prehospital Care), HMI Institute.