How to Help Your Loved One Cope with Disabilities

Dealing with a disability, whether it’s a physical one or something less visible like hearing loss, can be frustrating for your loved one. How you both approach problem solving can make a big difference.

Make a List of Special Needs

Sit down with your loved one and make a list of the daily activities that give him or her trouble. Start prioritizing them in order of how difficult the tasks are and how much help your loved one needs. From there you can start to work out solutions. One solution that can help both of you is to hire elder care providers who can handle everything from personal care to helping out with tasks around the house. You may only need the help while you’re at work or you might need longer help than that.

Plan for Extra Time with Tasks and Activities

When you are setting up tasks and activities or making plans with your loved one, make sure you add in extra time to accommodate your loved one’s needs. Your loved one might not think of this on his or her own, especially if his disability is still relatively new. Giving an elderly person that time cushion can help to reduce frustration levels caused by feeling late or feeling as though people are waiting on him or her.

Look into Assistive Devices

Assistive devices can make life a lot easier for your loved one and even allow that person to handle tasks on their own again. Some types of devices to look into include:

• Mobility devices, such as canes, walkers, and wheelchairs
• Remote-control light switches
• Door openers
• Food and drink utensils
• Wheeled household items
• Personal care items with straps or secure handles

Talk to your loved one’s doctor, physical therapists, and elder care providers about the types of assistive devices that might offer the most help.

Keep Doctor’s Appointments

It’s always important to make it to checkup appointments with the doctor, but when they involve your loved one’s disability, they’re even more essential. Try to make sure that your loved one gets to all of the appointments and that you schedule follow up visits promptly.

Helping your loved one to cope with a disability isn’t complicated, but it can take extra planning on your part.

If you or someone you love is in need of elder care please contact Interim HealthCare today!