Taking care of a family member with a disability can be physically, emotionally and mentally exhausting, but you still do the best you can to provide them with the support they need. After all, family is family, and we do everything we can for the people we love. Fortunately, there are ways to make this task a lot easier for you and your physically challenged loved one. Here are 3 tips to care for family with disability.
Invest on aids and equipment to increase their mobility.
There are a wide range of aids and equipment that can help a physically challenged person to move around with ease. These include wheelchairs, scooters, grab rails, raised toilet seats, and bed hoists. All of these aids and equipment allow your family member to feel comfortable with day-to-day activities that are otherwise challenging for them.
Improve accessibility for your loved one.
Make your house more accessible for your family member so they can be as independent as possible. There are several ways to accomplish this.
The most obvious challenge for people with disability is going up and down the stairs. It can be a dangerous task for people with limited mobility because a wrong step can lead to serious injuries that might require surgery. To solve this problem, you can have a stairlift installed for them. A stairlift is an easy and safe way for your loved one to access the second floor of your home without worrying about possible injuries.
Your bathroom might also have accessibility issues. For instance, slipping and falling are common in the bathroom for people with disability—walk-in baths and easy access showers prevent these accidents from happening. Your sink must also be accessible for a person on a wheelchair. Either you install a lower sink or free the space below the existing one so a person on a wheelchair has room to access it.
Finally, if your floors have thick carpeting, it can be difficult to move a wheelchair around the house. You can replace your carpet with low-cost laminate or opt for a low-pile carpet so your loved one can go around the house without any problems.
Take care of yourself too.
Yes, it can be incredibly exhausting to care for somebody else. Even the strongest person can be worn out with the responsibility, so you shouldn’t forget to take care of yourself too. In taking care of your loved one, don’t lose yourself or forget about your hobbies and interests. Practice self-care—whether that’s in the form of a long, luxurious bath or just catching up on some sleep. Join a support group that understands what you’re going through so you have a community of people to share the journey with. Lastly, eat healthy, exercise regularly, and drink a lot of water. These may be simple reminders but it will help you stay strong so you can be strong for your loved one as well.
It is a brave and selfless thing to take care of a family member who needs your help. Hopefully, with these three tips, it will be much easier for you to provide them with the care and support that they need.