The life event of providing care, when a loved one is in the hospital, is quite an experience. Here are some insights from watching as a friend cares for her loved one. (I have learned SO much from her as she is AN EXCELLENT caregiver.)
Essential Care Areas;
Staying in the room with your loved one is essential to 'think and do' for them ~ even through the night. This is exhausting for the caregiver, but preferred over being away and worrying about their care.
Staying in the room with your loved one is essential to 'think and do' for them ~ even through the night. This is exhausting for the caregiver, but preferred over being away and worrying about their care.
Keep a record of what is said by health care providers in order to remember what was said, and by whom ... this comes in handy to read to family and future doctor visits when questions are asked.
Use your nurse/CNA's name when they are providing care and thank them. Their names are written on the wipe board in the hospital room. Inquire how to pronounce their name and engage them in conversation.
Advocate for your loved one in an assertive, but delicate way. This may be just standing at the door, waiting to speak to the nurse, or asking for specific items needed for care when the nurse is in the room.
Listen to doctors entirely before interupting with questions.
Have any questions ready to ask when doctors do arrive and after they give you their report.
Consider the home environment before returning home. Think about the bed, bathroom, floor surface for walking, steps entering into home and any other essentials for home health.
Take note of what your loved one is eating while in the hospital and mimick the dietary menu if possible at home.
Issues for Caregiver;
Adequate rest and food intake is sometimes overlooked as care is giving to family in the hospital ... overlooking your physical health is easy to do as your needs seems minimal to that of your family members in the hospital, but for their sake you must take care of yourself.
Confusion, power-plays and family discord;
It's inevitable that there will be family and close friends available to help with care. In that process, as the main caregiver, it is difficult to communicate what you have experienced to those who 'enter and re-enter' to help. Be careful to allow others to help, but do NOT become possessive or difficult. This will not help the family to come together. In the area of power plays, there is an odd 'order' to this in families. Some members are allowed more influence than others in care and figuring out how to manage this while keeping peace and caring for your loved one is a balance. Much prayer is needed here for The Holy Spirit to guide your tongue and intent yet maintaining care needed for your loved one.
Leaving your loved one and returning home will possibly bring anxiety as you have had a sense of 'control' while by their side. However, once the emergency part of their stay is over there is a time to leave them in the care of professionals. Over involvement will curtail the need for learning independence of your recovering family member and accepting this new way of life for them as they recover.
Issues for Caregiver;
Adequate rest and food intake is sometimes overlooked as care is giving to family in the hospital ... overlooking your physical health is easy to do as your needs seems minimal to that of your family members in the hospital, but for their sake you must take care of yourself.
Confusion, power-plays and family discord;
It's inevitable that there will be family and close friends available to help with care. In that process, as the main caregiver, it is difficult to communicate what you have experienced to those who 'enter and re-enter' to help. Be careful to allow others to help, but do NOT become possessive or difficult. This will not help the family to come together. In the area of power plays, there is an odd 'order' to this in families. Some members are allowed more influence than others in care and figuring out how to manage this while keeping peace and caring for your loved one is a balance. Much prayer is needed here for The Holy Spirit to guide your tongue and intent yet maintaining care needed for your loved one.
Leaving your loved one and returning home will possibly bring anxiety as you have had a sense of 'control' while by their side. However, once the emergency part of their stay is over there is a time to leave them in the care of professionals. Over involvement will curtail the need for learning independence of your recovering family member and accepting this new way of life for them as they recover.
Hebrews 12:12-16 ESV / Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled ...
May your caregiving experience(s) bring key character-building opportunities for you as we learn to become more servant-minded and less self-minded.
Jesus,
What am I to learn from this; what behaviors am I to display to all those I meet during this stressful time while offering care and help me represent You not my anxiety and stress.
Amen
Jesus,
What am I to learn from this; what behaviors am I to display to all those I meet during this stressful time while offering care and help me represent You not my anxiety and stress.
Amen
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