When you have a disabled family member, taking care of them can be a huge responsibility. It can be exhausting, physically and mentally.
It is important that you find a balance between taking care of your loved one and caring for yourself. This will make you a better caregiver and help you keep healthy.
1. Be an advocate
Think about how you can advocate for people with disability support services . This could mean making sure they have the equipment and services they need, or suggesting to government officials about accessibility issues.
You can also take the time to ask disabled people how they would like their society to be. This can be a great way to start becoming an advocate.
You can also help disability organizations by spreading their message or boosting their efforts. You can do this by centering disability activists’ work in conversations, presentations and writing.
2. Be patient
Whether you’re an advocate or a caregiver, there’s one quality that every person taking care of disable people can benefit from: patience. Patience is the ability to allow others to work through a problem or learn a new skill without your assistance.
When you’re caring for a disabled patient, it’s especially important to be patient with them and their family members. They may have special needs and a busy life to balance, and it’s up to you to make sure they get what they need.
The best way to show you’re a real caring person is by taking the time to understand your patients on a personal level. Getting to know them on a deeper level will help you deliver a better experience for them and their families.
3. Don’t be sorry for them
About 1 in 4 Americans have a disability. Whether it’s an illness or injury, learning disability, or cognitive disability, the experience of living with a disability is often difficult and frustrating.
It’s important to remember that people with disabilities are human and deserve the same dignity and respect as everyone else. This doesn’t mean that you have to feel sorry or offer unwelcome advice.
Non-disabled people often use this kind of pity to feed their own negative stereotypes and misunderstandings about disabled people. It’s important to not do this. Instead, educate yourself about disability and be a better friend and partner.
4. Be flexible
Flexibility can make a big difference in your life, whether you’re caring for someone with a disability and trying to live your best life. It can allow a carer to take a day off and come back refreshed, or it could allow an employee to work from home for a few hours during the week without fear of disrupting the business.
Unfortunately, this is not always an easy thing to achieve. It is great to see flexible working offered by more employers, but it must be something that actually benefits the individual.
5. Be practical
It is essential to be practical when working with disabled people. This includes being able and willing to assist clients with daily tasks like bathing or using the toilet.
Caregivers who have a practical nature tend to be more successful at putting their clients at ease and helping them retain their sense of dignity.
When working with adults or children, it is also important to be a good listener. This will allow you to better understand their needs and provide better care.
Caregivers can be a rewarding career. However, it is also important to maintain a healthy balance between your professional and personal life.
