There may come a time when you find that you are caring for someone who is injured. Whether you are approaching this role as a professional caregiver or as a concerned friend or relative, there are important considerations that you will want to bear in mind. Caring for a loved one or client who has an injury can be straightforward, if you know what you need to do and the best approach. The following are five important considerations when caring for a loved one or client who is injured:
Determine the Nature and Severity of the Injury
The most important consideration is to determine the exact nature of the injury, including the injury’s severity. Having this information is important to ensure you are properly caring for your loved one or client.
The priority is to seek the opinion of a medical professional for any recent injuries. In other words, the physician or specialist should determine your loved one or client’s diagnosis. Once the doctor diagnoses the nature and severity of the injury, you will be better equipped to assist your loved one or client safely.
Provide Emotional Support
Having an injury can end up being much more than just a physical concern. If the experience was particularly traumatic, your loved one or client may have an emotional reaction. As such, you will want to make sure you provide your loved one or client with emotional support. It is equally important to take care of your emotional well-being. Should you find that you are distressed be sure to seek out support.
Consider Physiotherapy
In the past, it was common practice to completely rest and not use an injury limb. Now, we know that immobilizing an injury can be just about the worst thing you could possibly do! Caring for an injury properly often includes ensuring that it is exercised. This is where physiotherapy, allowing an injured part of the body to be moved around carefully, can be used so that healing occurs faster and more successfully.
Therefore, if you are caring for a loved one or client with a muscular-skeletal injury, physiotherapy might be an option for treatment. Of course, this treatment must be recommended and approved by your loved one or client’s physician.
Other treatment options may include a speed type practice or light stretches for an injured hand. A proper approach to physiotherapy can be a powerful means of ensuring that your loved one or client is cared for, and that the injury fully heals.
Address Financial Concerns
If an injury is causing your loved one or client to take time off work, it can impact their financial well-being. For example, a part-time or contracted employee might not have a source of income while recovering, whereas individuals who are fully employed might be eligible to receive benefits.
Caring for someone does not mean that you are responsible for their finances. However, depending on the nature of the relationship, you may assist your loved one or client organize their paperwork and claim what they are owed. Perhaps you might offer your loved one or client a helping hand with sorting out their budget as making these arrangements can help to alleviate financial distress.
Determine if the Injuries are Severe
If your loved one or client’s injury is severe, the care you provide might be more complex. For instance, if your loved one or client is paralyzed, he or she might need assistance with activities of daily living (ADL’s). If your loved one or client’s condition is permanent the need for emotional support may be increased.
Friendship & Care
Helping your loved one of client feel cared for can be one of the more important aspects of your role as a caregiver. In fact, knowing that the person you have by your side can be of great comfort. As such, you should ensure that your bedside manner is positive. A positive attitude demonstrates compassion and can aide your loved one or client in feeling genuinely cared for during a particularly difficult time in his or her life.
