The protective instincts of a caregiver have to be contained consciously. The more active and independent that a patient can be, the better are his chances of successfully battling his disease.
Continue reading Care Giving: Encourage the Patient to be Independent
The initial protective instincts for a loved one, may
prompt you into trying to do everything yourself. If
assistance is offered, do not hesitate to accept it. This
will help you conserve energy, as also give yourself and
your patient, a change.
Continue reading Care Giving: Delegate and Keep Trying New Support Options
An astonishing number of peers have difficulty in dealing with chronic disease patients. Many may even avoid meeting or interacting with your patient and yourself, confessing helplessness and fear.
The caregiver is sometimes forced into the role of the disciplinarian, as you have to help the patient follow his diet, medication and treatment plan.
Perhaps, you may assume the role of a teacher or guide, in trying to motivate the patient to live actively and positively.
Concurrently, you are restraining your own emotions and trying to act objective and level-headed.
Unfortunately, there may be occasions when you are forced to see your patient physically changed, hooked to all kinds of devices, with different needles and tubes attached. At such times, even the nature of the patient may be different. He may be tired, uncommunicative, depressed or irritable. Disbelief and consequently, detachment can set into your approach.
You may have to remind yourself about how that person truly is, under normal circumstances. That he is still hidden there, below all this trauma. Help him remember this as well. Together, you must bring him back to normalcy.
Hospital units may leave little privacy, to both, the patient and caregiver. Expressing affection in front of others, does not come easily to everyone, especially in reserved societies. Public displays are frowned upon.
Due to all the above factors, routine display of love and affection may become limited. Consciously avoid this. It is a well accepted fact, that demonstration of love and affection, play a huge role in healing. The human touch, especially of a near and dear one, has been known to lower anxiety, mental trauma and even physical pain.
Don’t allow yourself to be intimidated or embarrassed by the situation. Your patient will benefit immensely, by you verbalizing your love and offering your reassuring touch. Tender Loving Care, or TLC, can prove to be one of your patient’s most potent remedial therapy.
Your role is a decisive one, in deciding how long and more importantly, how well, your loved one lives. I hope that this material helps you accomplish a substantial quality of life, for yourself as well as your patient.
A razor, a knife, a knitting needle or a pair of scissors mishandled can pierce or cut the skin, eyes, or any other part of the body and may result in fatal injury too, especially if the item happens to be rusty which may lead to and emotions. Even matchboxes, cooking gas lighters, cigarette lighters etc. need same precautions. Some children have this hobby of collecting matchboxes of different types from different countries, hotels etc. but the adults should ensure that matchsticks of these should be discarded under their supervision.
Continue reading First-Aid: General Safety Measures for A Safe Home and Workplace
CLEANSING AGENTS
If a cleansing agent (acid, alkali, ammonia, any other chemical) has been used to clean the toilet, sink, bathtub, floor, etc. and the cleanser has to be left for a while to have its proper effect, then lock the place for the duration of cleaning. Merely bolting the door or putting warning sings will not do. This is because people are so used to their bathrooms that they will simply not look at notices but will enter them blindly from sheer habit. Children are more likely to think that they will stay clear of cleansing agent and yet may touch it inadverently or slip in the treated zone on a wet floor.
CEILING FANS
Whenever a ceiling fan is installed for the first time or after repairs, let it run at the highest speed for several minutes. Any defect in the roof hook or in the fan bolt that might cause the fan to fall will show up. During the test, no one should sit in the region where the fan might fall while spinning.
Continue reading First-Aid: General Safety Measures with Ceiling Fans and in the Bathroom
A house contains many substances, such as bleach, insecticides and paint stripper, that are highly dangerous to children. If a child or anybody swallows one, get medical help quickly.
BLAST INJURY
Explosion in the industries or due to bombs can cause many causalties. The possible injuries will be extensive burns, fractures, damages to ear drums, shock and wounds due to flying glass or other debris. Management.
Continue reading First-Aid: First-Aid for During Blast Injury and Electrical Burns