tips for Caregivers

This is a post from the Patients Like Me website by "Droppsie" that I thought was worth sharing:



There are some good tips and tricks in the archives of this forum that give sound advice in things like socks before pants, but here, I'll go for a few general points that I personally find worthy of mention . . .* Be prepared for anything and assume nothing.Good and bad days are unpredictable. One day a spoon may be needed to eat scramble eggs, but don't assume a spoon is always needed.* Don't coddle. To maintain physical and mental momentum, as well as self-esteem, we must keep trying to do everything we can for ourselves. Sometimes it's just reassuring to know that someone else is there when we attempt to do the things we struggle with.* Be a friend, not a boss. Ask if we need help getting up, don't just grab and pull. Pulling on someone in a freeze can be dangerous. Be patient when non-mandatory plans are postponed with little notice, and help with the mandatory ones by allowing plenty of time. Capabilities can change from hour to hour.* Remind, don't nag. Yep, we forget sometimes and we procrastinate at times, but we also reprioritize what is important. Sure the electric bill on the counter may need to be paid, but is it such a big deal that new mulch hasn't been ordered yet?* Remember . . . Dystonia is a cramping sensation, but "cramp" isn't a true and complete description. Fatigue is more than being tired. Tremors don't have to be seen to be real. Walking can be difficult and painful. Writing the simplest things can be slow and frustrating. Everything works slow and without our full control, body and mind. Tears, anger, laughter, and fear often come without justifiable or known cause. We don't necessarily hear what is said, or say what we think we say. So we're back to Be prepared for anything and assume nothing.That's certainly what we soon learn.