Mouth moisterizer homemade for end-of-life patients...

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Working in a country side mini-hospital requires ingenuity regarding working tools! I need to find a way to make homemade mouth moisterizer for my patients. I felt aweful about my dying pt this week was so dry in her mouth! Where I previously worked we had oral care kits but here only Toothettes and no edible ice cubes. I suppose that I could make frozen toothettes but could you guys give me ideas? The ICU staff suggested glycerine/NaCL/chlorexhedine mix... What say you?:confused:

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Specializes in Hospice Palliative Care.

We have mouth spray available, but mostly just use toothettes dipped in water, and Vaseline or the pts own lipbalm on their lips. We find most of the patents don't actually like the minty taste of the spray. I have used gingerale or the patient's favorite drink if that is what they want, but not often. Swabbing the patient's mouth is a great job to assign to the family as it is easy and they can feel as though they are able to do something to promote the comfort of their loved one.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I've used water/hydrogen peroxide mix, milkshakes, toothbrush and guaze/washcloth...be creative!

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Specializes in Oncology.

Can you get Biotene?

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Specializes in Corrections, Cardiac, Hospice.

We have used olive oil. Works great and nobody complains about the taste! (Ofcourse, tonight I used Sutter's White Zinfindale on a patient ;))

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Specializes in Psych, M/S, Ortho, Float..

Old post on the subject of mouth care and products.

https://allnurses.com/hospice-nursing/mouth-care-dying-103044.html

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Can you get Biotene?

I use Biotene myself...works well, available OTC

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