It is difficult to watch someone that you care about endure a serious health condition. Sometimes, it can make them seem like a shadow of their former selves, and you may not know how to support them to the best of your ability. If this is the case, here are some top tips to help you care for someone you love and provide them with the support they need when they are struggling.
Provide Emotional Support
If nothing else, you should try to provide emotional support to any loved one who is struggling with a health condition. Health conditions can seriously impact your loved one’s mental health, as they can prevent them from doing the activities that they enjoy, they may be in pain, and they may be constantly worried about what the future has in store for them. By providing a shoulder to cry on and by opening yourself up to emotional discussion, you will ensure that they feel pastorally cared for and better able to deal with their own emotions and changes in circumstances, no matter how they are feeling. You must always ensure that they do not feel judged, though, as this can prevent them from opening up to you in the future and may lead to feelings of shame.
Look Into Home Adaptations
Does your loved one still want to live independently? Are they terrified of the prospect of nursing homes? If this is the case, you should consider looking into home adaptations. These home adaptations can allow your loved one to maintain a great quality of life even if you are not there to oversee their activities and support their health in person. For instance, you might decide that they need a stair lifts installed, and you might take on the responsibility of organizing this for them and looking for the relevant grants. This will ensure that they can look after themselves for longer and access each area of their abode with ease.
Ask Them What You Need
Sometimes, even when you believe you are being helpful, you may actually be getting in the way and making your loved one feel inadequate. Then, rather than roll in and take over, you should take a step back. You should ask your loved one what they need from you, if they have the capacity to understand and answer your question, and what you can do to help them in a way that suits them. Some people may need help with cleaning, while others may prefer that you shop for groceries and remind them about their medication. However, some people would rather use an app to remind themselves. By doing this, you will be allowing them to stand on their own two feet, while knowing that you are there for them whenever they need it.
Help Them With the Doctors
The medical world can be daunting and clinical, and your loved one may struggle to organize their prescriptions, make appointments, and travel to the locations that they need to be at. If so, you should consider driving them to medical settings, accompanying them to doctors’ appointments, taking notes, and helping them sort through the medical information received. This can allow both them and you to better understand their condition.
