Caregiver Tips

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Neurological Injury Caregiver Tips

Here are few things that caregivers should do for keeping themselves prepared to care:

Keep a running list of questions, concerns and observations of changes in the progress toward the treatment goals. There are no bad questions.
Then, take detailed notes during meetings with the rehab team. This will help you remember the details.
Don’t go it alone. Seek support from family, friends and community sources.
Your health is important too – both physical and emotional. Take care of yourself so you can remain strong for your loved one. Depression is a real risk that can affect 50 percent of caregivers.
Pace yourself by creating a balance between caring for your loved one and yourself.

Do’s for Caregiver

Here are a few helpful tips that caregivers will find useful while caring for their injured/ill family member:

Educate yourself well about the disorder faced by your loved one
Do take care of patient’s skin if bed-ridden, by:
- Proper positioning and changing it every 2nd and 4th hourly basis
- Proper application of splints, if any
- Application of moisturiser on the skin
Always approach patient towards the affected side
Follow proper feeding technique. In case of any doubts, approach a clinical nutritionist or a swallowing therapist. ReAble offers services of both and you can enquire with your programme lead for support.
Do participate with rehabilitation team members to support a timely (early) recovery of the patient.
Do take care of foley’s catheter (urine bag) in place by changing every 7th-10th day and maintain proper hygiene.
Once patient starts getting mobilised to the edge of the bed, high sitting and standing, seek support of the rehabilitation team to get educated regarding transferring techniques.
Once patient starts walking with walker / stick, make sure that the stick has rubber ferrules and is stable and always be at side of them while walking.

Don’ts for Caregiver

Here are a few things that are best avoided while caring for your loved one:

Don’t be aggressive with the patient. Remember that they may already be dejected about their condition and battling depression.
Do not pull the affected shoulder. This is found to be a major cause of shoulder dislocation among the stroke patients.
Avoid complications such as pressure sores, joint contractures, skin abrasions etc. Ask your rehab specialist for specific advice on these.
Do not always approach the patient from their strong side otherwise it may lead to a condition called Hemineglect, wherein the patient forgets one side of their body.
Don’t transfer patient if you do not know transferring technique, else the patient might have a fall.
Do not leave patient unattended while they are in the initial phase of walking.
Following improper feeding technique may cause aspiration (Choking). Ask your Rehab nutritionist for proper feeding techniques.
Do not neglect the exercise program advised by the therapist. The patient may need your reminder and/or assistance to complete their home exercises. Take care that they do not over-exert.
Maintain proper hygiene and periodically change the catheter. Not doing so can be the cause of adding to the woes ie it may lead to urine infection.

As the advocate for your family member or friend, you play a key role in the ReAble Neuro Rehabilitation programme. You are needed. Your thoughts and loving care are important. You’re our trusted partners in helping to achieve long-lasting recovery, maximum independence and the highest quality of life for the patient.