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Instructional Video Library for Caregivers Providing Hospice and Palliative Care
Taking Care of Your Loved One at Home?
Our hospice and palliative care specialists share insights based on decades of experience supporting patients and families across our communities. These videos cover common caregiving topics, comfort care techniques, and what families may encounter during advanced illness and end-of-life care. Each video is designed to help caregivers feel more confident, informed, and supported.
Taking on the role of a caregiver can be extremely difficult. Here are some helpful videos produced by Canadian Virtual Hospice that will help you provide your loved one with safe and quality care.
Applying a Medicated Patch
How to properly apply medicated patches as part of a patient’s care plan. Rainbow Community Care provides step-by-step guidance to help caregivers safely administer medications, ensuring comfort and effectiveness while reducing the risk of errors. Understanding how to correctly place and monitor medicated patches can play an important role in managing symptoms for patients receiving hospice or palliative care at home.
What You’ll Learn
- How to correctly apply a medicated patch
- Best practices for patch placement and rotation
- Tips for ensuring proper adhesion and effectiveness
- How to safely remove and dispose of used patches
- When to contact your care team with questions or concerns
Applying Oxygen
How to safely apply and manage oxygen therapy as part of a patient’s care plan. Rainbow Community Care provides step-by-step guidance to help caregivers correctly administer oxygen, ensuring patient comfort while strictly adhering to critical safety protocols. Understanding how to properly place nasal prongs, monitor equipment, and maintain skin hydration plays an important role in managing shortness of breath for patients receiving hospice or palliative care at home.
What You’ll Learn
- How to properly place and secure oxygen nasal prongs for maximum comfort
- Steps for verifying the equipment is working and setting the prescribed flow rate
- Crucial home safety rules, including the strict avoidance of smoking, open flames, and flammable items
- How to check for and prevent skin irritation around the nose, ears, and chin
- Why it is necessary to use only water-based moisturizers (and avoid petroleum-based products) for mouth and nose care
Giving Medications by Mouth
How to safely and effectively administer oral medications. Rainbow Community Care provides guidance to help caregivers ensure patients receive the correct medication, amount, and timing. Understanding proper positioning, how to assist with swallowing difficulties, and when to seek alternative medication forms plays a crucial role in safely managing a patient's comfort at home.
What You’ll Learn
- Safe preparation steps, including handwashing and verifying medication instructions (right medication, dose, and time)
- Proper positioning to prevent choking (ensuring the patient is sitting up, never lying down)
- Tips for making swallowing easier, such as moistening the mouth with water or mixing pills with thicker foods like applesauce or yogurt
- Important guidelines on crushing pills, including why long-acting or slow-release medications should never be crushed
Giving Medications by Suppository
A step-by-step guidance on how to safely and correctly administer a rectal suppository. Rainbow Community Care offers this resource to help caregivers confidently manage medications for pain, nausea, fever, or constipation when oral administration isn't possible. Understanding the proper preparation, positioning, and application techniques ensures the patient receives their medication comfortably and effectively.
What You’ll Learn
- The necessary supplies to gather before starting, including gloves and a water-based lubricant (avoiding Vaseline)
- How to properly prepare the suppository, especially if it has been stored in a refrigerator
- The correct and most comfortable position for the patient during administration
- Step-by-step instructions on how to gently and safely insert the suppository
- Helpful tips for encouraging the patient to relax and retain the medication long enough for it to be absorbed
Giving Medications Through the Nose
How to safely administer medications through the nose using a Mucosal Atomization Device (MAD). Rainbow Community Care offers this helpful guide for situations where a patient is no longer able to swallow oral medications. Intranasal delivery provides a fast-acting, effective alternative, and understanding the proper preparation, administration techniques, and equipment care ensures the patient remains comfortable and receives their dose safely.
What You’ll Learn
- When and why to use intranasal medications (e.g., when swallowing becomes too difficult)
- How to properly prepare the patient, including clearing nasal congestion beforehand
- How to assemble the syringe and Mucosal Atomization Device (MAD)
- The correct head positioning and technique for spraying the medication into the nostril
- Important reminders for the patient, such as not inhaling or pinching the nose during administration
- Step-by-step instructions for cleaning, drying, and safely storing the reusable atomizer
Giving Medications Under the Tongue
How to safely administer concentrated liquid medications under a patient's tongue or in their cheek pocket. Rainbow Community Care provides this guidance for situations where a patient is having difficulty swallowing pills or other oral medications. Sublingual or buccal delivery allows the medication to be absorbed quickly and directly into the bloodstream, and understanding the proper preparation and placement ensures the patient receives their dose comfortably and effectively.
What You’ll Learn
- When to use the under-the-tongue (sublingual) or cheek pocket (buccal) method for liquid medications
- The importance of ensuring the inside of the mouth is clean and moist before administration
- How to correctly verify and measure the prescribed dose using a small syringe
- The proper technique for gently squirting the medication into the correct area of the mouth
- Why the patient should hold the medication in place for as long as possible instead of swallowing (and why accidental swallowing is harmless)
Help with Walking
Essential techniques for safely assisting a patient with walking. Rainbow Community Care offers this guidance to help caregivers understand their own physical limits, assess the patient's changing energy levels, and prevent falls. Knowing how to properly support a patient, prepare the walking path, and safely handle a potential fall can greatly improve mobility, confidence and ensure safety for patients receiving palliative or hospice care at home.
What You’ll Learn
- Important safety preparations, such as clearing the walking path and ensuring both of you are wearing non-slip footwear
- How to properly support a patient based on their weak and strong sides (including proper cane placement)
- The correct caregiver positioning (beside and slightly behind) to stabilize and guide the patient
- What to do, and what not to do, if a patient begins to fall to protect you both from injury
- How to safely assist a patient up from the floor using a chair, or how to keep them comfortable until help arrives
Making a Bed With Someone in It
How to safely change bed linens while a patient remains in bed. Rainbow Community Care shares this step-by-step guidance to help caregivers maintain a clean, comfortable, and safe environment for patients who spend extended periods in bed. Understanding the proper techniques for rolling linens, repositioning the patient, and managing medical tubing helps prevent skin irritation and ensures the comfort of your loved one receiving hospice or palliative care at home.
What You’ll Learn
- The essential supplies to gather beforehand, including a fitted sheet, top sheet, and moisture-proof pad
- Crucial safety steps to take before starting, such as securing medical tubing, raising the bed to reduce back strain, and locking the wheels
- How to correctly roll the patient and safely swap out soiled linens for clean ones, one half of the bed at a time
- How to properly fold and place a flat sheet to create a "turn sheet" to assist with future repositioning
- Tips for thoroughly smoothing out wrinkles to prevent skin irritation and how to incorporate skin care into the linen-changing routine
Moving from Bed to Wheelchair
Step-by-step guidance on safely transferring a patient from a bed to a wheelchair. Rainbow Community Care shares this resource to highlight the benefits of repositioning, such as preventing pressure sores, reducing fluid buildup in the lungs, and improving a patient’s overall mood. Understanding proper body mechanics and safety procedures ensures both the caregiver and the patient remain secure and comfortable during the transfer.
What You’ll Learn
- The importance of assessing both your own physical limitations and the patient’s changing energy levels to prevent injury
- Pre-transfer safety steps, including locking wheelchair and bed wheels, moving footrests, and ensuring both of you are wearing comfortable, non-slip footwear
- The safest and most effective method to pivot and lower the patient into the wheelchair using your legs, not your back
- Recognizing signs of fatigue and lightheadedness to determine when it’s best to assist the patient back to bed
- When to seek additional assistance or use mechanical lifts, transfer belts, or other assistive devices if the patient is unable to stand
Moving Toward the Head of the Bed
How two people can safely move a patient toward the head of the bed. Rainbow Community Care provides this guidance to help caregivers understand proper body mechanics and coordinate their movements, minimizing strain and preventing injury to themselves and the patient. Knowing how to correctly use a slider or turn sheet ensures the repositioning is comfortable for patients receiving hospice or palliative care.
What You’ll Learn
- The necessary supplies, such as a slider or a homemade turn sheet, to make repositioning easier
- Pre-move safety checks, including lowering the bed's head, raising the bed to waist height, locking the wheels, and securing tubing
- The correct posture and technique for caregivers: bending your knees, tilting your pelvis, and keeping your elbows tight to your body
- How to coordinate the move by shifting your weight sideways from one leg to the other on the count of three
- How the patient can assist (if able) by tucking their chin, bending their knees, and pushing with their heels
- How to use pillows and bed adjustments (like "gatching" the knees) to prevent the patient from sliding down again
Personal Hygiene – Caring for Hair
How to assist a patient with hair washing and grooming while they are in bed. Rainbow Community Care provides this resource to emphasize the importance of personal hygiene in preserving a patient's dignity, identity, and overall well-being. Understanding how to properly prepare the bed, use specialized equipment, and safely assist with grooming can help make the experience refreshing and comfortable for patients receiving hospice or palliative care at home.
What You’ll Learn
- The emotional and physical benefits of helping a patient maintain clean, styled hair
- How to use helpful aids like inflatable shampoo basins or waterless shampoo caps for patients with limited energy
- The proper steps to prepare the bed with garbage bags, moisture-proof pads, and a catch pail to prevent the bed from getting wet
- What to look for during a wash, such as open sores or pressure areas on the back of the head and ears
- A quick safety tip for assisting male patients with shaving
Personal Hygiene – Caring for the Skin
This caregiver instructional video highlights the importance of regular skin care and repositioning to prevent bedsores (pressure ulcers) for patients who are bedbound or have limited mobility. Rainbow Community Care shares this resource to help caregivers recognize early signs of skin breakdown and understand how to provide comforting, protective care. Incorporating skin checks and gentle massages into daily routines plays a vital role in maintaining the comfort and health of your loved one while they are receiving hospice or palliative care.
What You’ll Learn
- Why regular repositioning is essential for preventing skin breakdown and pressure sores
- How to identify early signs of skin damage, such as red or blanched (whitened) areas that lack blood flow
- Which bony areas are most at risk, including the hips, tailbone, elbows, heels, and shoulders
- How to perform a gentle, circular massage using non-scented lotion to promote blood circulation and relaxation
- When to talk to your healthcare provider about pain management during movement or the need for a specialized mattress
Personal Hygiene – Giving a Bed Bath
How to safely and comfortably give a bed bath to a patient with limited mobility. Rainbow Community Care shares this resource to emphasize that bathing is not just about physical hygiene, but also about providing emotional comfort and preserving the patient's dignity. Understanding how to properly prepare the environment, encourage independence, and safely maneuver the patient will make the bathing process a more positive and relaxing experience for your loved one receiving hospice or palliative care at home.
What You’ll Learn
- Why timing the bath and pre-administering pain medication can help conserve the patient's energy and improve their comfort
- A checklist of essential supplies to gather beforehand, including warm water, mild soap, and non-alcohol-based lotion
- Step-by-step guidance on how to bathe the patient, starting with the face and washing the genital area last
- Tips for keeping the patient warm, covered, and dignified by only exposing the specific area being washed
- How to incorporate skin checks for pressure sores and when it might be necessary to involve a second caregiver for assistance
Personal Hygiene – Mouth Care
This caregiver instructional video outlines the importance of regular mouth care for bedbound patients. Rainbow Community Care shares this resource to help caregivers maintain a patient's oral hygiene, which can improve appetite, prevent painful mouth sores, and increase overall comfort. Understanding how to properly clean the mouth, manage dry lips, and safely care for dentures ensures your loved one receives the best possible care while receiving hospice or palliative care at home.
What You’ll Learn
- Why mouth care should be performed at least twice a day, or more frequently for patients with dry mouths or who are no longer eating or drinking
- How to properly position the patient and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue
- Why you should avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes and lemon glycerin swabs, and how to make a safe, homemade mouthwash solution
- How to clean the mouth of an unconscious patient or someone who has a strong bite reflex
- How to identify signs of infection, such as oral thrush, and how to safely clean and care for dentures
Turning Someone in Bed
Essential guidance on how to safely turn and reposition a patient in bed. Rainbow Community Care shares this resource because regular turning is critical for preventing bedsores, managing pain, and improving lung function for bedbound patients. Understanding the proper use of a turning sheet, coordinating movements with a second caregiver, and correctly placing pillows for support can make this necessary task comfortable and safe for your loved one.
What You’ll Learn
- The importance of regular repositioning and when to consult a healthcare provider about pre-move pain medication
- How to use a slider or create a turning sheet from a folded flat sheet to reduce strain during the move
- Proper caregiver body mechanics, including keeping elbows tight to your sides, bending your knees, and shifting your weight to pull the patient
- How to safely turn the patient onto their side and position pillows behind their back, between their knees, and under their arms for optimal support and comfort
- Why this procedure often requires two caregivers, especially as a patient's illness progresses
Current Openings
To view all our open positions, please visit https://rainbowcommunitycare.org/Employment.