Having a family member who has a catastrophic injury changes the entire family dynamic. The healthy adult, such as a spouse or parent, will have to care for the person. While many people, understandably, focus on the health of the injury victim, the caregiver also needs to think about themselves.
It is often hard for the caregiver to focus on what they need because they spend so much time caring for their loved one. This is a labor of love, but it can be downright difficult to get everything done.
Finding routines
You will have to find a routine that enables you to take care of your needs, as well as your loved one’s needs. This isn’t always easy. Things like preparing food ahead of time and choosing meals that are easy to make can help you, especially during the transition period.
You might find that things that worked for your family before the accident don’t work now. This is understandable, so being able to be flexible as you adjust to the changes can benefit everyone involved.
One thing that’s usually difficult is adjusting to the limitations of your loved one. This isn’t just about physical changes. You may realize that there is a period of grieving that comes along with this type of situation.
Setting time aside
You need to find a way to set time aside for yourself. Make sure that you’re able to take care of basic tasks, such as showering and sleeping.
Around three-fourths of caregivers don’t even go to the doctor when they should. Approximately 63% of caregivers surveyed note that they have poor eating habits.
Not taking care of yourself means that you might not be able to care for your loved one like you should, so try not to neglect yourself. Up to 70% of people who are caregivers are depressed and 41% have back problems.
Friends and family members might offer you help. Don’t be afraid to take them up on that offer. Even having a meal brought to your home for dinner can mean that you have a little more time to yourself.
One thing that is especially challenging in these cases is making ends meet. When you have a loved one who was injured in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, you might choose to pursue compensation. This enables you to try to hold that party financially liable, which can take some of the money worries out of your life. Remember, North Carolina has time limits for personal injury claims, so take action quickly.