Being a carer while making a full-time living can be exhausting. The different skills you need in order to balance your time as well as provide sufficient care to your loved one means that you most likely find very little time to unwind. While no one will know about the intricacies of your loved one’s disabilities as much as they do (or as much as you do), there are a few ways that you can make your life a little easier and therefore improve your strengths as a carer. To read more about the top time-management techniques for taking care of your loved ones, visit this website: https://www.blogs4us.com/
Read on to find out more.
Table of Contents
Build a List of Reliable Contacts
If you are going to your workplace on a regular basis then you may be anxious about leaving your disabled loved one alone at home. Depending on their disability and mobility levels, it might be a sensible idea to have a list of people you and your loved one trust in case of emergencies. Ask people who know you and your loved one if they would be willing to have their contact details included on the emergency list so that, in the event of an accident while you are at work, they can provide assistance.
Invest in an Accessible Car
There are so many reasons for buying a wheelchair accessible car if you are a carer for someone with disabilities that impact their mobility. Not only are they important for emergencies, but they also offer a safer and more comfortable travel experience that overcomes the need to disassemble the wheelchair each time you and your loved one take a journey. Take a look at the different kinds of wheelchair accessible vehicles on offer at Allied Mobility and think about which type would best suit your needs as a carer as well as your loved one’s. Adapted vehicles are perfect for helping your disabled loved one get around and live a more independent lifestyle.
Install Home Adjustments
If you live with your loved one and notice that they have difficulties around the home due to features that could be changed, consider making these changes so their daily life is more streamlined. For example, if your loved one uses a wheelchair then wider doorways can make it easier for them to move from room to room. There are also plenty of ways that a bathroom and a kitchen can beadapted so that they are better suited to people with disabilities, such as lowered countertops and well-placed handrails.You may also want to install a stairlift for access upstairs and ramps so that a wheelchair can easily enter and exit the building.
Use Smart Home Devices
Smart technology is great for making domestic life a little easier for everyone, including people with disabilities. If your loved one has a visual impairment, for example, smart home devices can be voicecontrolled and help them adjust their environment to their preferences with ease. This feature can also help people with limited strength or hand mobility to control the lighting, the temperature and many other aspects of their home.
Consider Introducing a Pet to the Household
The popularity of therapy animals is on the rise thanks to ongoing research that shows how effective a pet can be at improving a person’s mental health. Some dogs can be specially trained to assist people with all kinds of disabilities by either helping them with their daily tasks or alerting them in case they are about to experience a seizure. Pets are also great company and can add brightness to any home.
Take Some Time for Yourself
Being a carer and working full-time can take its toll on the body and the mind. It is normal to feel stressed and under pressure when you have all the responsibilities of work on top of taking care of your loved one. Make sure to arrange regular time for yourself where you can relax and let your mind forget about your troubles, if only for a short while. If your loved one requires round-the-clock care, consider finding someone trustworthy and qualified to take over from you while you rest.
Carers have so many different responsibilities for the people they look after. Depending on the disability and how it affects the individual will impact the level of care and support a person needs. Being able to provide assistance to a loved one with disabilities is a great way to show someone you care about them, so hopefully the above tips have given you some inspiration about how you can continue to care while also thriving in your career.
