Being a family caregiver for a heart patient can be a challenge. But a few simple tips can make the experience better for both you and your loved one.

Whether your loved one is returning home from heart surgery or suffers from a chronic heart disease, there are a few things to keep in mind to help you stay healthy while caring for your loved one.

Caring for your loved one

As a caregiver, you will probably be the primary point of contact in absorbing and interpreting medical information concerning your loved one’s condition. The first step you will need to take is to learn what the diagnosis and what the best course of treatment are for your loved one. With many heart conditions, rehabilitation after a surgery or incident centers on avoiding triggers and risk factors. Keeping your loved one on the right path includes promoting healthy eating, avoiding smoking, and getting adequate exercise.

During this process, it is important to take note of your loved one’s mental state. Depression can creep in for someone who is being cared for, so if you notice a change in mood or attitude, take note and let your loved one’s doctor know. It is also important to know the symptoms of a heart attack, stroke and angina. A heart attack is characterized by chest or upper body discomfort, shortness of breath, cold sweat or nausea. A stroke is recognized by weakness in the face and arms, dizziness, or trouble speaking. Angina often feels like squeezing or burning under the breastbone.

As a caregiver for your loved one, you will want to make sure you have the contact information for your loved one’s doctor, nurse, or other care manager.

Getting things done

Chances are, as a caregiver for someone with a heart condition, you are responsible for performing some of the day to day activities and chores around the house. Especially if your loved one has just returned from the hospital for surgery, he or she may only be able to do limited physical activity. Some ways you can help include driving to the grocery store, to doctor visits, to the pharmacy. Cooking and cleaning, especially if there is a second floor. You may also need to take an active role in establishing and following a medical regimen of taking medications and doing any required physical therapy.

Caring for yourself

One of the most important things to remember is that you have to take care of yourself. If your health fails or you become too stressed, not only will you feel unwell, you will not be able to care for your loved one properly, either. Some simple things to keep in mind are to take some time for yourself. No one can be expected to care for someone else 24 hours a day, every day. Breaks in caregiving allow you to refresh so that you can come back and provide even better care. Another tip is to recognize your limits as a caregiver. Not only do you not have all the answers, but you cannot be expected to provide help on every level. Get help when you need it so that you don’t get overwhelmed and so your loved one gets the very best care.

Medical alert monitoring can help

If you don’t live with the loved one you care for, or if she is alone for extended periods of time, consider getting a medical alert monitoring system. Such a system can act as a backup for the times you are not there, providing both you and your loved one with peace and confidence.

Questions? Call +254 718 994 368 / 733 994 368 or E-mail: wecare@pathwayintl.co.ke

PATHWAY INTERNATIONAL: providing Global Healthcare Solutions

The post The Best Ways to Care for a Heart Patient appeared first on Pathway International.

This isn’t just a major life change for the sick individual. It affects everyone in the household, especially you, as the patient’s spouse or significant other, who may face new responsibilities of caring for your partner.

Caring for your loved one

Depending on the condition, a person may be stuck in bed for most of the day with limited ability to engage in simple tasks, such as cooking, bathing and dressing. The first step of caretaking is making sure your partner’s basic physical needs are being met. You may need to rearrange your work schedule and other responsibilities so you can prepare meals, draw warm baths and help your loved one get dressed.

And remember, you don’t have to do it perfectly—and you don’t have to do it all yourself. Ordering takeout or hiring cleaning help is acceptable, as is asking friends and relatives to help. Avoid getting overwhelmed by the daily tasks. Consider designating one day a week for laundry and cooking meals that can be frozen and reheated later.

In addition, if your partner’s illness requires frequent trips to see a doctor or stays in the hospital, you may find yourself spending a lot of time in unfamiliar environments. Getting to know the staff at the medical facilities by being friendly and considerate may help make the experience more comfortable for everyone.

One dilemma you may face is whether to stay overnight at a hospital with your spouse for an extended time or to leave him or her and sleep at home. That’s a personal decision and one that includes considering your own ability to get the rest you need in that environment so you’ll have the energy to cope with your new responsibilities.

Besides being there for your loved one physically, you may have to figure out how to best communicate with him or her. There will likely be costly medical bills, as well as decisions regarding treatment and taking time off from work that need to be discussed. Your spouse may be reluctant to talk about such matters and may be unwilling or unable  to deal with them on top of the health issues. This may leave a great deal of responsibility on your shoulders. If he or she is able, perhaps you can ask your spouse if there is a time you can set aside to discuss these practical matters, instead of bringing them up regularly.

When it comes to expressing your concerns, you can try writing them down in a journal instead of overwhelming your spouse with them all at once. Then, you can pick and choose which ones are worth talking about.

When speaking directly to an ill  loved one, try to speak in a softer tone and use “I” statements. Also, don’t forget to inquire about how he or she feels. It’s important to treat your partner like an adult, even if the rest of your duties feel more like mothering.

Compromising may be much more efficient than trying to tell your partner what to do and will help them to rebuild some of the confidence they may have lost in recent days.

Also, don’t be afraid to ask for outside help. Maybe there is another family member or a friend who is skilled at finances and can help with the paperwork. Or perhaps your best friend is an amazing cook—take her up on her offer for a homemade dinner.

Taking care of yourself

One of the scariest aspects of taking care of a sick spouse is not knowing how long it will be until things get back to normal or wondering if they ever will. Also, you’ll probably be coping with a flurry of mixed emotions, from worry to stress to guilt, making it easy to get overwhelmed.

With the patient not being able to work, it may be up to you to provide for the household. However, this may be difficult if you also need to be there for your significant other 24/7. Financial problems in addition to an ill partner can place a tremendous amount of stress on an individual.

This is why it’s crucial that you learn to take care of yourself and manage your mental well-being. It may feel like you have no time for yourself, but it’s important to consider what small things you can do to employ self-care. Perhaps it’s doing deep breathing in bed for 10 minutes in the morning or at night, finding time to take a short walk outdoors or watching your favorite TV show when you get home in the evening.

The most important thing to remember is that you don’t need to go it alone. Finding a support network can make all the difference. Caring for a sick loved one may be a new experience for you, and your friends or family members may have trouble understanding. You might be thinking that no one knows what it’s like, and you may be tentative to take advice and accept sympathy for your situation.

However, building a support system can be what it takes to keep you positive and emotionally healthy. Find another caretaker to talk to, whether it is in an online community, a community support group or a caring friend.

It’s important not to keep your feelings bottled up, which is why you should consistently talk to people you love and trust. If you can’t shake the feeling that you are burdening them or aren’t feeling understood, you might find it helpful to seek the services of a therapist, who can offer you unbiased guidance. Moreover, professionals are trained to help you deal with situations like this and have likely dealt with others in similar circumstances.

Questions? Call +254 718 994368 / 733 994368 or E-mail wecare@pathwayintl.co.ke

Pathway International: providing Global Healthcare Solutions.

The post Help for Taking Care of a Sick Spouse appeared first on Pathway International.

There are times in one’s life, like a health crisis, when a loved one needs you to be their eyes, ears and voice. Though you may be feeling anguish over his or her illness, a patient’s pain, fear or even the effects of medication can keep them from being their own advocate.

But, you can play a role not only in supporting them through a stressful time, but also in making sure they’re getting the best care.

1. Gathering information is key. Ask questions and do research about their medical condition, treatments, specialists in the field and even the best hospital or surgery centre for having a procedure done. Get to know the doctors involved and ask for specifics if you don’t understand any terms they use. Don’t hesitate to bring another family member with you, especially when surgery or other complex procedures are being discussed.
2. Keep careful notes. Even a minor illness can involve many tests, new medications and detailed home care. It’s hard to remember a lot of information, such as the dosing of multiple drugs and complex hospital discharge notes, especially when you’re stressed. Use a small notebook or the notes app on a smartphone to write down the names and contact numbers for everyone on the medical team. Include dates on your notes — you may need them to provide a timeline to future specialists or to reconcile medical bills later on.
3. Monitor their care. Even though your loved one’s primary doctor or surgeon may be the point person for other healthcare team members, you can be the backstop. Know and share your loved one’s medical history, any daily medications, allergies and known drug side effects. If a new medication is prescribed, ask what it’s for, possible side effects and whether it could have a negative interaction with any other drugs. Being an active member in care lessens the chance of medical errors.
4. Be present. If your loved one is in the hospital, your daily visit may be the one thing he or she looks forward to each day. Bring everyday items from home, like a robe or toiletries, to make the patient more comfortable.
5. Have a second-in-command. Being an advocate is like having another job. There may be times when you can’t be there. Designate a close friend or relative who can step in for you.
6. Take care of yourself. A spouse or child’s serious illness can take an emotional toll and you can’t function optimally if you’re run down. Eat a healthy diet and get enough sleep

Questions: Call +254 718 994368 / 733 994368 or E-mail wecare@pathwayintl.co.ke

Pathway International: providing Global Healthcare Solutions.

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