Palliative care is one of the most caring gesture people can give a loved one with a life-limiting illness. It’s definitely challenging and involves a lot of work. It can be difficult for both the person being cared for and the people who are giving care.
If you’re on the giving end of palliative care, there are a lot of things you can do to make sure everything is as ideal as it can be.
Here are a few tips for home palliative care.
Having the Right Medical Plan
Palliative care is for people who are currently undergoing treatment. To make sure that all the necessities are covered, you should understand the specifics of how the treatment works.
When medications are to be taken. What side effects can be expected. You should also have a line of communication with the doctor or doctors involved.
Outlining a detailed plan regarding your loved one’s medical treatment will guide the whole process of palliative care.
Having the Right Equipment
Once you have a detailed medical plan on-hand, you’ll also have a list of equipment you’ll need to properly care for your loved one. It’s essential that you have the right tools because a life may literally depend on it.
But aside from having the right medical equipment and supplies for the unique needs of your loved one, you should also consider their comfort. Adding some hand railings, access ramps, or a hoist for home use may mean the difference between safe and comfortable palliative care and a disaster waiting to happen.
Having the Right Support
Caring for someone with a life-limiting illness can take its toll on you. Even if you do have medical professionals and caregivers helping you with the process, it can still be difficult and cause a strain on your physical, mental, and emotional health after a while.
During these times, it’s important that you have a support network to help you cope with the challenges. They may not be able to help you fulfill the work required of you, but being able to share what you’re going through with people who will understand can also do wonders for your endurance.
Reach out to family and friends for additional support. These people are most likely already trying to think of ways to help you. Let them.
It may also be a good idea to join a support group. There are many online and in-person groups that offer support and advice for people giving palliative care to loved ones. Here’s Care with a helpful list.
Having the Right Attitude
People who have provided palliative care often say it was so much more than what they had anticipated. The process can often stretch a person to their limits, especially if they are unprepared. Apart from all the medical and equipment aspects, you should also make preparations to your attitude.
Empathy, compassion, and sensitivity are all essential for caregivers, but they’re not the only ones. Understanding is one of the most important qualities you can have when giving care. You also have to display a reasonable amount of strength and resilience. Even if you know how the illness will progress, you can still be fazed when it does
Caring for a loved one with a life-limiting illness is never easy. It can be rewarding at times, but that’s not always the case. Learning about the illness and fostering genuine care will get you through.
