ad collaborative post // It is not uncommon for some family members to work in hazardous work environments in a bid to provide for basic needs. Unfortunately, when things go south at the workplace, it can leave your loved one with severe injuries that may confine them to a wheelchair (either temporarily or permanently) or prevent them from carrying out their usual daily activities.
In this scenario, you will need to take on caregiving duties until your loved one can maneuver independently and possibly go back to work. Caregiving is not an easy job, and it is bound to leave you physically and emotionally drained, especially if you are doing it on your own. However, it is a necessary task because they wouldn’t need help with the most basic functions had your loved one not gotten injured.
Here is a guide on how to care for an injured family member:
Share caregiving duties with other family members
It can be pretty taxing to spend an entire day with someone who constantly needs your help. The task becomes more challenging when nobody is there to offer you a helping hand. Due to fatigue, you might forget to administer their medication in time or forget about their appointment.
Having every family member be involved with caregiving will take the load off your shoulders and help your loved one feel loved and valued. Sharing caregiving duties with the rest of the family also increases the safety and well-being of the injured person because a united front is less likely to forget about medications, bath times, and appointments with the doctor.
Learn as much as you can about the injury
The more you know about your loved one’s injury, the better you can care for them and nurse them back to health. Conduct your independent research online and read what other experts say about their injuries.
However, it would be best to take whatever you read on the Internet with a pinch of salt. If their doctor is open to answering questions, ensure you gather as much information as they are willing to give without breaching their confidence in you.
Help them seek legal counsel
If your family member got injured at work, they are entitled to workers’ compensation to help cater to medical bills. However, some companies tend to deny their injured workers compensation.
If your loved one got injured in a truck accident at work and the company refuses to compensate them, it would be best to reach out to a truck accident attorney who will help fight for their rights. A workers’ compensation claim should help cater for medical treatment and lost wages as they recover.
Show empathy and compassion
Your family member might lash out at you in their pain and frustration or push you away. There are also bound to be some awkward situations that could strain your relationship. However, it would help if you recognized that this person is hurting and would benefit from a bit of empathy and compassion.
Try to put yourself in their shoes and reply calmly whenever they speak. Offer a listening ear and take advantage of their time at home to strengthen your bond.
Don’t disclose personal information
As you continue taking care of your injured family members, they might disclose sensitive information about their health. They could also confide in you about their emotions during this harrowing time. The fact that they could open up means they trust you with their private thoughts and information.
It would be best not to disclose personal information until the person sees fit. You should also avoid sharing sensitive information you obtain from the doctor with the rest of the family until the individual is ready to speak up.
Practice self-care
Since you are responsible for caregiving duties, it is normal to feel guilty for wanting to have some alone time or engage in activities that leave you feeling rejuvenated. However, if you don’t practice self-care, you will soon burn out and start to harbor feelings of resentment. It would be best to know your limits and when to take a break.
Engage in refreshing activities such as lunch with your buddies, a warm bubble bath, or a walk around the block so that you can come back ready to tend to your injured family member.
Wrapping up
It would help if you remained in optimal mental and physical health to take care of an injured family member properly. Remember that you cannot pour from an empty cup. It would be best if you also tried to be understanding when your family member lashes out because they are most likely frustrated at their current situation.
