Physical Wellness
This section offers practical support for caring for the body. You will find resources to help with daily care tasks, comfort, and managing symptoms. These tools are meant to build your confidence and support you in providing safe, respectful, and compassionate physical care.
The resources in this section have been organized into the following four topic areas related to supporting physical wellness. Scroll down or click on the links below to navigate to each:
Looking for more support? Explore the Resource Library for the full collection of Walking Alongside tools and resources, or follow the Caregiver Pathway to guide your next steps.
HELPING PEOPLE MOVE AROUND
When a person is seriously ill, they may need support with getting in or out of, or repositioning in a chair or bed, or walking around their home. Caregivers may also need to help their loved one with toileting and getting to and from the bathroom. The material in this section provides practical considerations, tips, tools, and demonstrations for caregivers to safely and effectively support someone with their mobility.
| Section | Title | Description | Resource Type | Details | Keywords & tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Helping People Move Around) | Helping People Move Around | A presentation demonstrating safe techniques for moving and repositioning a person who is seriously ill, including lifting, transfers, and use of supportive tools. | Slide Deck | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rEmTCfiWiuoy85AObdqieMXsfLG9FkHJ/view?usp=share_link | mobility, moving, safety, physical, care, transfers, bed, safety, caregiver skills |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Helping People Move Around) | Helping People Move Around Speaker's Notes | Speaker's notes accompanying the Helping People Move Around presentation demonstrating safe techniques for moving and repositioning a person who is seriously ill, including lifting, transfers, and use of supportive tools. | Slide Deck Speaker's Notes | https://drive.google.com/file/d/18oWM6ut6rxYbHJVPTbGJbkOxJua9Rkte/view?usp=sharing | mobility, moving, safety, physical, care, transfers, bed, safety, caregiver skills |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Helping People Move Around) | How to Assist Someone with a Walker | A video demonstrating how to safely support someone using a walker to maintain balance and mobility. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-assist-someone-with-a-walker/ | mobility, moving, safety, physical, care, walker, assistive devices, safety, caregiver skills |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Helping People Move Around) | How to Assist Someone with a Cane | A video showing how to assist someone using a cane safely and confidently while walking. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-assist-someone-with-a-cane/ | mobility, moving, safety, physical, care, walker, assistive devices, safety, caregiver skills |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Helping People Move Around) | How to Assist Someone Using Crutches | A video demonstrating how to support someone using crutches while ensuring safety and stability. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-assist-someone-using-crutches/ | mobility, moving, safety, physical, care, walker, assistive devices, safety, caregiver skills |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Helping People Move Around) | Changing Bed Sheets (through repositioning in bed) | A step-by-step video showing how to change bed sheets while someone remains safely in bed. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-change-sheets/ | mobility, bed care, positioning, demonstration, video |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Helping People Move Around) | How to Prevent Caregiver Injuries – English | A video demonstrating safe techniques to prevent caregiver injuries during daily care tasks. Available in English, French, and Ojibway. | Video | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9brWmhCB8GM&pp=ygU3SG93IHRvIFByZXZlbnQgQ2FyZWdpdmVyIEluanVyaWVzIOKAkyBFbmdsaXNoIFNFIEhlYWx0aA%3D%3D | Providing Care, Physical Wellness Caregiver safety, Injury prevention, Body mechanics, positioning, prevention |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Helping People Move Around) | How to Prevent Falls – English | A video demonstrating safe techniques to prevent caregiver injuries during daily care tasks. Available in English, French, and Ojibway. | Video | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN8ntuXWBKk&pp=ygU3SG93IHRvIFByZXZlbnQgQ2FyZWdpdmVyIEluanVyaWVzIOKAkyBFbmdsaXNoIFNFIEhlYWx0aNIHCQnDCgGHKiGM7w%3D%3D | Providing Care, Physical Wellness, Fall prevention, Safety, Mobility |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Helping People Move Around) | How to Use A Mechanical Lift – English | A video demonstrating how to safely use a mechanical lift to move someone with reduced mobility. Available in English, French, and Ojibway. | Video | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQus34Z195k&pp=ygUwSG93IHRvIHVzZSBhIG1lY2hhbmljYWwgbGlmdCAtIEVuZ2xpc2ggU0UgSGVhbHRo | Providing Care, Physical Wellness, Mobility, Transfers, Mechanical lift, Safety |
You can browse the resources within each section as needed, or search the Resource Library if you’re looking for something specific. Explore this site in the way that feels most helpful to you.
PERSONAL CARE
Caregivers at the bedside can support a seriously ill person’s wellbeing by providing personal care. The material in this section provides practical considerations to help with bathing a loved one who is seriously ill, as well as providing mouth care with recipes for mouthwash and tips for effective toothbrushing and denture care. It also includes important information about changes in food and fluid consumption among people who are seriously ill, and how to manage reduced fluid intake and giving help with eating as the person gets weaker.
| Section | Title | Description | Resource Type | Details | Keywords & Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Personal Care) | Providing Personal Care to a Person with Serious Illness | A presentation demonstrating essential personal care skills, including bathing, toileting, and mouth care, to support comfort, dignity, and safety for someone who is seriously ill. | Slide Deck | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rEmTCfiWiuoy85AObdqieMXsfLG9FkHJ/view?usp=share_link | personal care, hygiene, bathing, caregiving, physical, toileting, bedside care, caregiver skills, mouth care, physical wellness |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Personal Care) | Providing Personal Care to a Person with Serious Illness Speaker's Notes | Speaker's notes accompanying the Providing Personal Care to a Person with Serious Illness presentation demonstrating essential personal care skills, including bathing, toileting, and mouth care, to support comfort, dignity, and safety for someone who is seriously ill. | Slide Deck Speaker's Notes | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fv7nSpQcFrzwDDEcrqMneZd8y4Rwbhh1/view?usp=share_link | personal care, hygiene, bathing, caregiving, physical, toileting, bedside care, caregiver skills, mouth care, physical wellness |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Personal Care) | How to Manage Awkward Tasks | A video offering practical tips for handling sensitive or uncomfortable caregiving tasks with dignity and respect. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-manage-awkward-tasks/ | hygiene, bathing, toileting, demonstration, video |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Personal Care) | How to Give a Bed Bath | A video demonstrating how to provide a bed bath while maintaining comfort, dignity, and hygiene. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-give-a-bed-bath/ | hygiene, bathing, toileting, demonstration, video |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Personal Care) | How to Wash Someone’s Genitals | A video showing how to safely and respectfully provide personal hygiene care for intimate areas. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-wash-genitals/ | hygiene, bathing, toileting, demonstration, video |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Personal Care) | How to Care for Someone on their Menstrual Cycle | A video explaining how to support menstrual care with sensitivity, hygiene, and comfort. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-care-for-someone-on-their-menstrual-cycle/ | hygiene, bathing, toileting, demonstration, video |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Personal Care) | How to Help with a Commode Chair/Urinal | A video demonstrating how to safely assist someone using a commode chair or urinal. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-help-with-a-commode-chair-urinal/ | hygiene,toileting, demonstration, video, commode, urinal, |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Personal Care) | How to Use a Bedpan | A video showing how to properly position and assist someone using a bedpan. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-use-a-bedpan/ | hygiene, bathing, toileting, demonstration, video, bedpan |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Personal Care) | How to Empty and Change an Ostomy Bag | A video demonstrating how to safely empty and change an ostomy bag while maintaining hygiene and comfort. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-empty-and-change-an-ostomy-bag/ | hygiene, bathing, toileting, demonstration, video, ostomy |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Personal Care) | How to Help with Tooth Brushing | A video showing how to assist someone with brushing their teeth to support oral health. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-help-with-tooth-brushing/ | hygiene, bathing, toileting, demonstration, video |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Personal Care) | How to Care for Someone’s Dentures | A video demonstrating how to properly clean and care for dentures. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-care-for-someones-dentures/ | hygiene, bathing, toileting, demonstration, video |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Personal Care) | How to Help Shave Someone | A video showing how to safely assist with shaving while maintaining comfort and preventing injury. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-help-someone-shave/ | hygiene, bathing, toileting, demonstration, video |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Personal Care) | How to Help Someone Eat or Drink – English | A video showing how to safely assist someone with eating and drinking to support nutrition and hydration. Available in English, French, and Ojibway. | Video | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZKuxh6wFmo&pp=ygU2SG93IHRvIEhlbHAgU29tZW9uZSBFYXQgb3IgRHJpbmsg4oCTIEVuZ2xpc2ggU0UgSGVhbHRo0gcJCcMKAYcqIYzv | Providing Care, Physical Wellness, Feeding, Nutrition, Hydration, Caregiver skills, food |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness - Personal Care) | How to Change an Adult Brief – English | A step-by-step video demonstrating how to safely and respectfully change an adult brief. Available in English, French, and Ojibway. | Video | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oYG_Dlco_8&pp=ygUySG93IHRvIGNoYW5nZSBhbiBhZHVsdCBicmllZiDigJMgRW5nbGlzaCBTRSBIZWFsdGjSBwkJwwoBhyohjO8%3D | Providing Care, Physical Wellness, Personal care, hygiene, Incontinence |
You can browse the resources within each section as needed, or search the Resource Library if you’re looking for something specific. Explore this site in the way that feels most helpful to you.
PAIN
This section contains valuable information to help understand, support, and help manage a seriously ill person’s pain. This section discusses the signs of pain as they occur and provides information about how caregivers can go about understanding and helping manage the different elements of a seriously ill person’s total pain experience. This section also provides information about what to look out for in terms of side effects of pain medications and distinguishes between addiction, physical dependence, and tolerance. Some nonpharmacological ways to help with pain are also included.
| Section | Description | Resource Type | Details | Keywords & Tags | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness – Pain & Comfort Measures) | Managing Pain | A presentation on understanding and managing pain, including recognizing signs, improving communication, and safely using medications and other strategies to support comfort. | Slide Deck | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wjFlcUPMzGPEt_aDJ2CJwtbXgzKRMBkU/view?usp=share_link | pain, management, comfort, symptoms, physical |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness – Pain & Comfort Measures) | Managing Pain | Speaker's notes accompanying the Managing Pain presentation on understanding and managing pain, including recognizing signs, improving communication, and safely using medications and other strategies to support comfort. | Slide Deck Speaker's Notes | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mSNFxxvN0ZBID7AU2jWaqucPP_ueeZ78/view?usp=share_link | pain, management, comfort, symptoms, physical |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness – Pain & Comfort Measures) | Fear of Pain Medication | A video addressing common concerns about pain medication, including side effects and addiction, and offering reassurance to support safe and effective pain management. | Video | https://livingmyculture.ca/culture/first-nations/fear-of-pain-medication/ | pain, medication, fear, management, Indigenous, pain management, fear, symptom control, physical wellness, harm reduction |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness – Pain & Comfort Measures) | Helping You Feel Better | A guide to understanding and relieving symptoms, including using a symptom scale and diary to track changes and support communication with healthcare providers. | Handout | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iZhkdHC20THJPTgbe-nW_ja4IsZQU9qK/view?usp=sharing | symptom, diary, tracking, wellbeing, caregiving, symptom management, care planning, pain relief, comfort care, comfort measures, monitoring, Creating a Plan, care plan |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness – Pain & Comfort Measures) | Mouth Care | A guide to maintaining oral health, including practical tips for mouth care and simple recipes for homemade mouthwash to support comfort and Wellness. | Handout | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1voDdfGTQeN43udfgNnGkLfoSwA5jO4Uy/view?usp=share_link | mouth, hygiene, care, comfort, wellbeing, oral hygiene, comfort care, mouth care, physical wellness |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness – Pain & Comfort Measures) | How to Prevent Bed Sores – English | A video explaining how to prevent bed sores through positioning, movement, and skin care. Available in English, French, and Ojibway. | Video | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjGghyfPh5w&pp=ygUuSG93IHRvIHByZXZlbnQgYmVkIHNvcmVzIOKAkyBFbmdsaXNoIFNFIEhlYWx0aA%3D%3D | Providing Care, Physical Wellness, Pressure sores, Skin care, Prevention |
| Providing Care (Physical Wellness – Pain & Comfort Measures) | Creating Comfort for a Loved One in Pain | A guide offering non-medical ways to support comfort, including environment changes, connection, memory-making, and incorporating spiritual or traditional practices. | Handout | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RR7zxNQCQA6Y9WmkPbnfq74fQJVzcPSi/view?usp=share_link | comfort, pain, support, non-drug, caregiving, non-pharmacological, emotional wellness, physical wellness, spiritual wellness, comfort care, pain support, non-drug therapies, providing care |
You can browse the resources within each section as needed, or search the Resource Library if you’re looking for something specific. Explore this site in the way that feels most helpful to you.
MANAGING OTHER SYMPTOMS
This section provides information to help understand and manage many of the other symptoms that people who are seriously ill may experience. It covers things to consider, what to watch for, and what to do about some of the other symptoms that people who are seriously ill may experience, including: mouth problems, bowel and bladder problems, shortness of breath, skin problems, trouble sleeping, swelling and confusion.
Resources for this section
| Section | Title | Description | Resource Type | Details | Keywords & Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providing Care - Physical Wellness (Managing Other Symptoms) | Food is Medicine Recipe Book | A recipe book highlighting the role of food as medicine, supporting health and wellness through nutritious, culturally meaningful meals. | Booklet | https://isparc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RecipeBook_FINAL.pdf | spiritual wellness, food, medicine, culture, physical wellness, nutrition, Indigenous health, land, country food |
| Providing Care - Physical Wellness (Managing Other Symptoms) | Infection Prevention and Clinical Skills | A presentation on infection prevention and basic clinical skills, including wound care, vital signs, and recognizing when to seek additional medical support. | Slide Deck | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ReovVmjCynEkO8uSO-JtnFnVNtTuI-UV/view?usp=share_link | infection, prevention, hygiene, safety, caregiving, vital signs, wound care, clinical skills, symptoms, monitoring, providing care, physical wellness |
| Providing Care - Physical Wellness (Managing Other Symptoms) | Infection Prevention and Clinical Skills | Speaker's notes accompanying the Infection Prevention and Clinical Skills presentation on infection prevention and basic clinical skills, including wound care, vital signs, and recognizing when to seek additional medical support. | Slide Deck Speaker's Notes | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s4KNLSbRJpB8HXFERMVgcFoC0ad86PKJ/view?usp=share_link | infection, prevention, hygiene, safety, caregiving, vital signs, wound care, clinical skills, symptoms, monitoring, providing care, physical wellness |
| Providing Care - Physical Wellness (Managing Other Symptoms) | How to Maintain a Catheter | A guide to understanding and caring for a catheter, including what to watch for, how to position equipment, and when to seek help from a healthcare provider. | Handout | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/catheter-careguide/ | catheter, care, hygiene, infection, prevention, physical wellness, medical equipment |
| Providing Care - Physical Wellness (Managing Other Symptoms) | Caring for Someone with Ostomy | A guide explaining ostomy care, including cleaning, skin care, diet considerations, and signs to watch for to support comfort and prevent complications. | Handout | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/caring-for-someone-with-ostomy/ | ostomy, care, hygiene, infection, prevention, monitoring, providing care, bowel obstruction, cancer |
| Providing Care - Physical Wellness (Managing Other Symptoms) | How to Help with Oxygen Therapy | A practical video demonstrating how to safely support someone using oxygen therapy at home. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-help-with-oxygen-therapy/ | symptoms, breathing, wound care, infection, safety, respiratory, COPD, lung |
| Providing Care - Physical Wellness (Managing Other Symptoms) | How to Help Someone with a Puffer | A short video showing how to correctly assist someone using a puffer or inhaler for breathing support. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-help-someone-with-a-puffer/ | providing care, physical wellness, respiratory, lung, puffer, inhaler, COPD, medication, support, bedside |
| Providing Care - Physical Wellness (Managing Other Symptoms) | How to Safely Dispose of Medical Waste | A video explaining how to safely handle and dispose of medical waste in a home care setting. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-safely-dispose-of-medical-waste/ | providing care, physical wellness, safety, infection control, medical waste, prevention |
| Providing Care - Physical Wellness (Managing Other Symptoms) | How to Manage Wound Care at Home | A video demonstrating how to safely manage wound care at home to support healing and prevent infection. | Video | https://carechannel.elizz.com/resources/how-to-manage-wound-care-at-home/ | providing care, physical wellness, wounds, wound care, infection, prevention, caregiver skills, bedside |
| Providing Care - Physical Wellness (Managing Other Symptoms) | Pressure Sores and Infection Control | A handout explaining pressure sores, how to prevent them, and the importance of hygiene and infection control in maintaining comfort and skin health. | Video | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EH4DZg52wVCvq6oK7pfAfmtFAeQoFBtP/view?usp=sharing | infection, sores, prevention, caregiving, safety, skin care, infection control, prevention, pressure sores, providing care, physical wellness, bedside care, monitoring, wounds, wound care |
| Providing Care - Physical Wellness (Managing Other Symptoms) | Pressure Sores and Infection Control | A handout explaining pressure sores, how to prevent them, and the importance of hygiene and infection control in maintaining comfort and skin health. | Handout | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u8gpy1gPZD9slUbXkx-giHTH8nYOINQm/view?usp=share_link | infection, sores, prevention, caregiving, safety, skin care, infection control, prevention, pressure sores, providing care, physical wellness, bedside care, monitoring, wounds, wound care |
| Providing Care - Physical Wellness (Managing Other Symptoms) | How to Give a Needle – English | A video showing how to safely administer an injection with proper technique and precautions. Available in English, French, and Ojibway. | Video | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRt9EdQF1YU | Providing Care, Physical Wellness, Injections, Medication, Clinical skills, bedside, safety |
You can browse the resources within each section as needed, or search the Resource Library if you’re looking for something specific. Explore this site in the way that feels most helpful to you.