Taking care of someone with a disability or difficulty in movement requires a lot of effort and commitment. Things would even be harder for loved ones who might never recover due to an accident. It can be heartbreaking for you and your loved ones to see those things that they could do before but are now impossible.
A lot of things need to be considered if you want to make taking care of your loved ones easier. One of the factors included is the age of the patient. Are you taking care of a young individual who suffered from an accident or a condition? Or are you taking care of your parents who are having mobility issues out of old age? Perhaps you are looking after a veteran injured in the line of duty. If this is the case, you can see more here about how a military lawyer can help get the compensation and benefits they deserve. Either way, you need to prepare yourself both mentally and physically.
Caring for a loved one with a disability is never easy. The care required for people who are paralyzed or cannot move the majority of their own bodies will even be harder. You need to be mentally and emotionally tough as you might sacrifice long-term things such as career or other personal commitments. You will also need to learn new things such as the proper way to use equipment such as a Zinger Chair or a wheelchair. Here are the six things you can do to help in taking care of someone with mobility issues.
Five Things You Can Do To Help Your Loved Ones
1. Be Familiar With Available Technologies
Assisting movement would be very hard for people who need to assist individuals with movement limitations. For example, even a wheelchair used to help people who cannot move their lower body could be overwhelming to use. In addition, you might find using equipment physically taxing, especially on heavy ones. Some wheel chairs can be very heavy and can be taxing on the caregiver.
Being familiar with available technologies are needed to make you and your loved one’s life easier. Using your tools properly will help you in your daily tasks. It’s important to know the available options and utilize the best technology available for fewer hassles. For example, consider newly available products such as the Zinger Chair which can be operated by the patient himself or herself and has a lot of features such as more movement options. It also can fit under a table easily instead of transferring from a wheelchair into a chair. It is only 47 pounds and can be carried like a suitcase.
2. Communicate Properly
Learning the proper terminology is also important, especially when discussing with the patient and other people. There are less-offensive versions of terms used to describe a certain condition. Using proper and acceptable terminologies is a part of communicating properly and directly.
Acts of kindness which seem as if not a big deal are also appreciated. If you’re communicating with someone in a wheelchair, take the initiative and sit down so that the patient will be more comfortable during the conversation.
3. Changes In The House
Make your house easier to navigate for people who have mobility problems. Even minor changes like changing rooms and making common objects more accessible will help in making life easier. If your patient is bedridden, make sure to choose a comfortable mattress. Avoid using the stairs if possible and make your entrance bigger if your patient uses big equipment.
4. Ask Questions If Necessary
Interact with people with mobility issues the same way you interact with someone who doesn’t. A lot of people feel uncomfortable talking to a person with a disability in fear of the person being offended. Instead, talk to the patient politely. If you have a question about his or her condition, ask your questions right away. Don’t make assumptions and ask if they need help.
5. Always Prioritize Safety
Last but not least, always prioritize you and your patient safety. Don’t rush while you’re assisting your patient’s movement. Set your pace according to their pace, and be aware of the obstacles along the way. When using equipment in transferring the patient, consider if you can do the task alone and ask assistance for harder tasks.
