The reality of a disability can be emotionally devastating to the person having it, especially when it is not birth-related. However, anybody can acquire a form of disability from an illness, accident, or other causes. It will take a heart of empathy for family caregivers to help their loved ones in this new state of their lives. Indeed, the patient will need to cope with this change, but so will the family members.
Being a Home Health Care Agency in Dumfries, Virginia, we would like to encourage family caregivers with the reminder that your love and unwavering support will always be comforting to your loved one’s current situation. But if you’re feeling a bit at a loss on how to manage especially when the incident is still very recent, let these suggestions guide you:
- Allow for Grief
When a disability happens, it can bring a new normal to your loved one’s experiences. They will feel that something has already been lost permanently, and so they will grieve for this. Allow them the time of grief. They need it as much as their acceptance goes. The amount of support and understanding you can extend to them will be very instrumental for the way they can get through this dark season. - Invite them to Share
Offer an unsolicited invitation to share their heartaches with you. In our experience providing Home Health Care in Virginia, we have perceived that gaining the person’s trust is allowing them to see us as someone they can talk to and open their concerns within confidence. Be ready to listen to their stories without judgment and resolution. Just the fact that they have someone they can pour their hearts to is already a big help. - Be Sensitive for Signs of Depression
Disabilities can also be a starting point for someone to go into depression, especially when your loved one is already a senior. They can feel like they have burdened you with their condition and they don’t want it to happen. You have to know when your loved one is already depressed so that you can respond to this mental condition proactively. - Recommend Healthy Recreations
When you sense the timing is right, suggest recreational activities that your loved one can participate in. This can also help you evaluate if they’re already depressed or not. When they’re grieving, they can still allow for times of happiness and recreation, in contrast to the lingering sadness that depression brings. - Get Help
This is a very important move so you can continue on providing quality support to your loved one. Whether you ask help from another family member, friend, or a Certified Nurse Aide, getting help can help you take rest so that you can be a better caregiver once again.
When your loved one is still adjusting to their disability, our team at Authentic Home Healthcare and Nursing Solutions LLC we’ll be right here to back you up. Don’t hesitate to inquire.
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