Evening Routine
- 20:45 – Run bath: place clean anti-slip mat in bath, bubble bath, swish with hands to create bubbles, handful of Epsom salts, check temperature is hottish but not scalding.
- Prompt to toilet.
- Undress: whilst Fela is sitting on toilet, prompt Fela to put clothes in laundry basket.
- 21:00 – 21: 45 – Prompt Fela to check bath temperature with fingers, then enter Bathtub. If it’s too hot, he will reach towards the taps.
- Help Fela shampoo, rinse his hair. Dry face and head briefly with towel.
- Help Fela wash his back and arm pits with bath gel or soap.
- Allow Fela 30-40 minutes to soak, then give him 5 minutes and count down ‘3-2-1’ to pull the plug.
- Support him safely out the bath tub once all water drained.
- After he has dried himself, prompt him to wrap towel around his waste and tuck. You may offer bath robe for extra warmth and protection in case towel comes loose.
- Finish drying upstairs: help Fela to dry his head, ears, back and prompt him to dry between toes.
- PJ shorts with prompt.
- Deodorant stick with prompt.
- Magnesium sulphate cream: use small plastic spoon/or dip in forefinger then apply to upper back.
- PJ t-shirt (choice of loose-fitting vest or no top if heatwave)
- Apply E45 cream to keloids and upper and lower chin area.
- Tiger balm (optional)
- Apply Athlete’s foot treatment e.g. currently castor oil to between Fela’s toes.
- Light cotton socks to ankles (except in heatwave)
- Brush teeth – dry battery operated toothbrush after use.
- Toilet.
- Put out spare bedding and PJs on wooden ottoman in case of incontinence in night: PJs, blue large kylies x 2, waterproof mattress protector, bedsheet, duvet cover, spare duvet, pillow cases, pillow protectors.
- Check that weighted blanket inside duvet cover on top of duvet in horizontal, middle position (unless heatwave, in which case it can be used on its own inside the duvet cover )
- Ensure mattress protector and bed sheet properly tucked under mattress in corners.
- Ensure windows are closed and curtains full drawn together with no gaps.
- Prompt Fela to bed after toilet.
- Bedtime Prayer: say it with Fela
- Eye mask – prompt Fela
- Fan left on in fixed position slightly away from Fela (ONLY in summer when hot)
- Sleep CD or Classic radio – Nature Sounds/Hymns (on repeat, volume 7 – 8)
- 22:00 – 22:30 – Good night Fela: lights off, spot light above sink pressed down and left on in shower room, shower room door left ajar.
- Bedroom door either closed or left slightly ajar.
Points to remember:
- If you go up to Fela in the night because he refuses to settle, you can prompt him to the loo. Check that the bed is dry, he is dry and the sheets are straight and tucked under the mattress, prompt him to put his eye mask back on – this blocks any light coming from the camera.
- If Fela is incontinent in the night, prompt Fela to toilet to urinate if necessary then sit and remove clothes. Keep instructions to a few words so as not to over-stimulate him with conversation.
- If Fela is incontinent in the night, only switch on desk lamp. The ceiling light provides too much light and will signal to the brain that it’s time to get up.