Tips for Making Family Caregiving Easier
So the unexpected has happened and a member of your family has been diagnosed with an illness that requires lots of care. This is a major life event to deal with, both for them and for you. Depending on the type of condition and its severity, it may now be down to you to care for them. When this happens, you really need all the help that you can get. So read on for some sound advice on how to do the best job caring for a chronically ill family member.
Independence matters
One of the most difficult the things that people can deal with when ill with a chronic disease is the lack of independence they face. It can be very hard to have your mobility limited or, not be able to see to your own personal hygiene needs.
In fact, it can affect someone so badly that it starts to erode their sense of self and on top of being ill, they start to doubt who they are.
That is why when acting for a chronically ill person, it is essential to give them as much independence as possible. Yes, there are something things that you just can’t get around doing for them. But even leaving it up to them to ask you for help when they need it can have a radical effect on the suffers self-esteem.
Education
When caring for a chronically ill person, patience is a vital virtue. Yes, it may be very frustrating on a day to day basis, having to do things for them, and the impact that is having on your life. But just think how they feel?
It can help you to have a patient attitude if you educate yourself about the condition you are dealing with. Once you know all of things that that person is up against, it often gets a lot harder to get so annoyed at them.
Be an advocate
Something else that is important when caring for a chronically ill person is that you step in and be their advocate. This can apply to situations with their doctors and in any legal situations in which they might need your help.
For example, if someone is suffering from a condition leukemia, they may be too unwell to contact professionals that can help them. You may have to help them speak to legal professionals such as Madeksho Law Office for benzene exposure. Who can then help them get a composition that will pay for their treatments. Or, they may even be too exhausted to push for the second opinion with their doctors, so will need your support in this case.
The basis are important
Something else that is vital is that you and the sufferer don’t get too wrapped up in all of the medication and treatments for the condition. As then you can forget to tend to the basics as well.
Remember staying hydrated and nourished can make a big difference on how severe symptoms feel to the sufferer. The basics really do matter in this case.
Caregiving is a big responsibility. God thing we have articles like this online to guide us through. Looking forward to more helpful posts.
For anyone that gets ill to the point of losing independence usually are affected in their self esteem. It is both difficult for the caregiver and the person needing caregiving. My father suffered Parkinson disease and at some point lost his independence, it was very difficult for both of my parents.
As you mentioned, one of my family members requires a lot of care at the moment. The problem is we can’t all stay at home and look after my sick aunt. I think we have no choice but to hire a caregiver who can take care of her and respond to her needs whenever needed.
It is tough for everybody, for the patient and for the family members. But you have made a great point here that we must help our sick family members with patience, keeping in mind their need for independence and allow them to do as much by themselves that they can afford to do safely.