Caregiver Ulm

Care for a 46-year-old man living alone in Ulm (180 cm/95 kg), who is paralyzed from the neck down (tetraplegia) due to a spinal cord injury. He is mentally perfectly fine, communicates without problems, and during the day mostly occupies himself independently with his computer, tablet, reading, and hobbies. The gentleman moves in an electric wheelchair and is not permanently bedridden. However, he is completely dependent on assistance for personal hygiene, dressing, eating, and other daily activities. Transfers between bed and wheelchair are performed using an electric ceiling hoist, so the caregiver does not have to lift him manually. A profiling bed and other necessary aids are available. The gentleman has a permanent suprapubic urinary catheter and a colostomy. The caregiver empties the urine bag and changes the stoma bags as needed. The outpatient care service provides compression stockings and medication. The daily routine is regular and predetermined. In the morning around 9:00 AM, dressing, hygiene, and transfer to the wheelchair using the hoist take place. During the day, it is necessary to serve meals, refill drinks, empty the urine bag, and change the stoma bag as needed. In the afternoon, the client usually lies down for a period and is then transferred back to the wheelchair using the hoist. Evening care begins around 9:00 PM and includes hygiene, transfer to bed, undressing, skin check, repositioning, and connecting the night urine bag. Around 11:00 PM, he needs a brief assistance before sleep. Between tasks, the client mostly occupies himself independently. Responsibilities also include cooking, laundry, and general household maintenance. A cleaner comes every 14 days. Regular night work is not required. Assistance at night may only be needed in exceptional cases, such as with stoma problems or phlegm. The client can call the caregiver via Alexa. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, approximately from 12:00 PM to 6:30 PM, the client is cared for by his parents, and the caregiver has time off. On Monday and Thursday mornings, a physiotherapist visits, and on Sunday mornings, a long-term caregiver attends to more intensive personal hygiene and showering.