Allow them to make their own decisions and to continue with their own schedules. Encourage them to do things that they enjoy and eat well. Try to help them to not smoke, drink, or use recreational drugs. These things can all add up to a healthy lifestyle that can help them feel independent and stay healthy!

If They Are Bedridden

If the person you are caring for has to stay in bed, you should be sure to move them to change their position at least once every 4 hours. When they are able to sit up in a chair or in bed, you should help them to do so as much as possible. A nurse can teach you how to do this right. Moving the person you are caring for regularly can prevent bedsores, pneumonia, and sore joints. Here are some other pointers:

• Bedsores—the key is to prevent these from happening. They can develop into something serious in people with advanced HIV disease or AIDS. In addition to moving them often, you can also put extra soft material, like "egg crate" foam, under the person to protect their skin, massage the parts of the skin that touch the bed, and keep the sheets dry and free from wrinkles. Tell your doctor if you see any redness or change in color of the skin


• Exercise—people in bed can exercise too! Ask your doctor or physical therapist about arm, leg, hand, and foot exercises to prevent sore joints and get the heart pumping


• Breathing—if the person you are caring for has trouble breathing, raise their head or neck with pillows. If they continue to have trouble breathing, contact your doctor right away


• Keep them comfortable—give them back rubs. Good back rubs can help relieve stress. Also, keep TV remotes, tissues, drinks, and other things within their reach

Emotional Support

Taking care of the mind and spirit can be just as important as taking care of the body. It is important to remember that a person in good spirits has less stress and anxiety, and feeling good mentally can make someone feel better physically. Here are a few tips to help you provide good emotional support to the person you are caring for:

• Keep them involved in their care. Let them make decisions if they can


• If they can, let them help out with the house work. Everyone likes a sense of purpose, and it can be a good form of exercise


• Keep them involved in things going on in the house. Involve them in family or group discussions about normal everyday things, like the news, TV shows, books, and other things


• Invite their friends over whenever possible. Friends can often raise someone's spirits


• Get out with them. Take the person you are caring for out to different places as much as possible. Often, people who become ill can feel trapped or imprisoned


• If they need to talk about their health, talk with them about it. While it can be difficult for you, imagine how difficult it could be for them if they had no one to talk to about it


• Touch them, hugs and kisses are great too. Affection can always help someone feel a little better