About this topic
When your loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness, there may be changes in life, body functions, and emotions. It can be stressful and change daily activities. Some illnesses can last for weeks, months, or even years. Some may be short-term and last less than a week. You may need to take care of your loved one. After a serious illness, some people may have other problems like weakness, loss of energy, physical problems, and low mood. ‚
Your loved one may need to recover, regain body strength, and cope with the changes after having a serious illness. You can help your loved one recover from this illness. In addition to helping, you also need to take care of yourself. ‚
General
After a serious illness, your loved one may need to recover and rebuild strength. The doctor will give special orders that need to be followed closely. Sometimes, the person with the illness will not feel like doing some of the things that are needed. You may have to push at times or help make it a bit easier for your loved one. ‚
Help your loved one to get stronger: ‚
- Let your loved one start to move around more. Increase the amount of exercise as advised by the doctor. Exercise with your loved one.
- Encourage relaxation after exercise.
- Help to lessen stress on your loved one. That person may be worrying about the future, how bills will get paid, or about being a burden.
- Make your loved one feel useful. Suggest doing simple chores, light housework, or cooking, paying bills, or some other activity to help out.
Help your loved one improve diet: ‚
- Offer a well-balanced diet. Include foods that your loved one will enjoy eating.
- Encourage your loved one to eat small meals more often. Help to increase appetite by eating regularly even if not hungry. Be sure to ask a dietitian about your loved ones diet plan.
- Do not keep foods that are not allowed for your loved one to avoid temptations.
Help your loved one get enough rest: ‚
- Let your loved one get the rest needed. Make a schedule of increased activity with rest periods afterwards.
- Avoid coffee and tea at night.
- Make your home relaxing with soothing music, quiet talk, and warm lighting.
Help lower stress: ‚
- Help your loved one practice and do deep breathing exercises.
- Encourage your loved one to spend time with friends.
- Help your loved one make decisions.
- Try to help ease the burden by giving encouragement.
There are a few things you can do to help your loved one: ‚
- Make sure that you give the drugs your loved is taking on time. Do not miss giving doses. Prepare the drugs and make sure that you give the right drug with the right dose.
- Do not run out of your loved one's drugs. Get refills before the drugs run out. Do not stop giving these drugs without talking with the doctor.
- The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your loved one's progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
Where can I learn more?
American Occupational Therapy Association ‚
http://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Patients-Clients.aspx ‚
American Psychological Association ‚
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/help-chronic.aspx ‚
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization ‚
http://www.caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3323 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚