The patient should be encouraged to help himself as much as possible. By placing his feet firmly on the mattress, he can often help to lift his own weight. Attach a small overhead bar above the bed. Even a rope attached to a hook in the wall will serve for this purpose, giving him something to grip so he can help himself more easily.

Cleaning the mouth is most important during an illness. As much as possible, let the patients do this for him. If he cannot brush his own teeth, you may have to help him. Proper oral cleanliness is essential in patients suffering from a stroke or heart attack. If the tongue is badly coated, use a mixture of glycerin and kalamansi juice to cleanse the mouth and tongue. This should be done after each meal.