Caring for someone with a serious health condition may seem overwhelming and difficult at first. When enteral feeding, commonly known as tube feeding is introduced, it can make the task appear more complicated. Fair Go Access has tube feeding support available to help. Here, we provide a few pointers to help you feel more confident.
Learning how to use the equipment correctly will enable you to administer tube feeding formulas with ease. Given that there are a variety of ways to provide tube feeding, it’s integral that you understand the equipment involved and what needs to be done with it. Enlisting the support of a care service like Fair Go Access will take away a lot of that initial stress, allowing you to provide the support your loved one needs.
Tube feeding meals contain a specific blend of macronutrients in the form of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as micronutrients of minerals and vitamins. Before administering enteral feeding, you’ll need to consult with your loved one’s doctor to learn which tube feeding meals to use and how much of it is needed.
Each person is different and has different nutritional requirements. As such, the doctor will be able to tell you exactly how much you should administer to provide the right balance of nutrients. Self-made tube feeding meals are not always suitable and consulting the doctor is extremely important.
Hygiene is one of the most important elements of enteral feeding. Syringes need to be washed and dried properly after every use and changed every two or three days. You should also be very careful to wash your hands both before and after feeding. It is also recommended to clean the area around the entrance of the feeding tube.
The important ways to support someone tube feeding mentioned above, along with other considerations, are best learnt under the guidance of a professional. Fair Go Access staff are trained and qualified to help with all aspects and available to make things easier for you to provide care.
To learn more about supporting someone using a feeding tube, call Fair Go Access on 03 5298 2746.
