Thought for the Day:
Abled
Amputees of America (AAA—www.abledamputees.org) posted this list of tips for
the family and caregivers of amputees. I
think that with a little adaptation, this list would be helpful for caregivers
and family members of all sorts of people (disabled, chronically ill or
diseased, aged, etc.). I would add one
additional tip:
Tip #
16. Take care of yourself too. Give yourself a couple of hours break or a
day off occasionally so that you are refreshed physically, emotionally, and
spiritually. Your amputee needs you—so don’t
burn yourself out. Don’t be afraid to
ask for help where you need it. Your
family and friends will be happy to help if they just knew what to do. Take advantage of that so you can get some
rest too!
------------------------------------------
AAA TIPS: Abled Amputees believes the support of family and
friends is one of the most important elements in making a good transition to
life as an amputee. This post is for the wife, husband, adult children, caring
neighbor or any other relative that care for the “amputee.”
1. Love the amputee even when he or she is grumpy. This is a
big life change for them.
2. Encourage them when they need a nudge. It’s easy to get depressed and lazy and or laid back.
3. Watch for signs of depression ~ isolation, tearfulness, changes in appetite, up or down, sleeping too much or too little.
4. Encourage them to ask for help. Most new amputees won’t.
5. Educate yourselves on the use of prosthetics and how they are supposed to look, act and bend. Find out what is normal for a prosthesis.
6. Make sure their home is safe and functional. Do they have food items in a good easy to reach space, throw rugs put away for now, electric cords out of the way. Is the bathroom safe with a grab bar and is a non-slip bath mat in place.
7. Don't let the amputee isolate from you or from their friends. Have regularly schedule meetings, card games, movie night, phone calls. Hold them accountable for keeping in touch with you.
8. Encourage them to participate in a local support group, you should be able to attend as well and ask questions!
9. Remember, they are still the same person as they were before. Life is not over, it’s just different.
10. Keep humor in all of your lives, it’s the best and cheapest medicine.
11. Encourage them to try new things and encourage independence, slow but sure.
12. Don't worry or fuss over them more than you really need to. Sorry “amps”
13. Watch for any infections or sores on the residual limb, it is hard for them to see all angles and is so important. Especially if they are diabetic.
14. Early on, after the amputation there will be many appointments to keep, MD’s, Prosthetist, Physical Therapists. Offer to help keep a calendar for them, so none will be missed. All of these appointments are vital to a speedy and healthy recovery.
15. Join a support group for families of amputees, they are fewer and harder to find, but so rewarding.
2. Encourage them when they need a nudge. It’s easy to get depressed and lazy and or laid back.
3. Watch for signs of depression ~ isolation, tearfulness, changes in appetite, up or down, sleeping too much or too little.
4. Encourage them to ask for help. Most new amputees won’t.
5. Educate yourselves on the use of prosthetics and how they are supposed to look, act and bend. Find out what is normal for a prosthesis.
6. Make sure their home is safe and functional. Do they have food items in a good easy to reach space, throw rugs put away for now, electric cords out of the way. Is the bathroom safe with a grab bar and is a non-slip bath mat in place.
7. Don't let the amputee isolate from you or from their friends. Have regularly schedule meetings, card games, movie night, phone calls. Hold them accountable for keeping in touch with you.
8. Encourage them to participate in a local support group, you should be able to attend as well and ask questions!
9. Remember, they are still the same person as they were before. Life is not over, it’s just different.
10. Keep humor in all of your lives, it’s the best and cheapest medicine.
11. Encourage them to try new things and encourage independence, slow but sure.
12. Don't worry or fuss over them more than you really need to. Sorry “amps”
13. Watch for any infections or sores on the residual limb, it is hard for them to see all angles and is so important. Especially if they are diabetic.
14. Early on, after the amputation there will be many appointments to keep, MD’s, Prosthetist, Physical Therapists. Offer to help keep a calendar for them, so none will be missed. All of these appointments are vital to a speedy and healthy recovery.
15. Join a support group for families of amputees, they are fewer and harder to find, but so rewarding.
No comments:
Post a Comment