People experiencing obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms and their family may spend years not knowing what is wrong. Even with a diagnosis, there is tension within relationships and it can be frustrating, often taking a toll on family and friends. Family dynamics are impacted and social networks can become small. Here are some ways that family and friends can do to help a loved one diagnosed with OCD.
Learn about the disorder
Researching the disorder is important so that you can find out about misconceptions like how people suffering from OCD lack willpower, are lazy or suffers from trauma. Learning can help foster an understanding of what the person is going through. Encourage your loved one who suffers from OCD to read literature or watch presentations.
Part I of this Alzheimer’s series consisted of a general overview, while part II was a blog about tools to help a person suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. Today’s will concentrate on caregivers and preventing caregiver burden.
In January, I wrote a general blog about preventing caregiver burden and the following are more to add to the list.
acknowledge your feelings
As in any difficult situation, many feelings can come up. Some caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients have felt the following:
Alzheimer’s Disease blog Part I was an overview on what Alzheimer’s Disease is. Today’s blog will focus on how to keep your loved one safe, as well as happy.
Changes that will help a person suffering from Alzheimer’s:
Activities
physical activity
regular walks or dance can help both physically and mentally
social groups
church groups, adult day care centers, or senior centers can provide opportunities to socialize
Your loved one starts to forget the name of their daughter, forgets how to get home, forgets how to turn on the TV. These are the difficult scenes that play out if someone you love has Alzheimer’s Disease. This will be a three-part blog, consisting of a general overview, tools to help caregivers, and ways for caregivers to take care of themselves.
If there is a possibility that a child can become developmentally delayed or is already developmentally delayed, the regional center can help. It provides resources such as nursing care, as well as financial aid for costly equipment. This is a directory of regional centers that exist in California (http://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/rclist.cfm)
Whether you are a professional in the helping field or an adult looking after your elderly parent, both caregiver burden and compassion fatigue can be a significant factor. I use these terms interchangeably as do other social workers and psychologists to mean stress and lessening of compassion one feels after taking care of people. Having been in the helping profession and also helping to care for my grandmother all my life, I know the toll this can take.
Do something fun and rewarding
Take your mind off of your responsibility by rewarding yourself. Perhaps a good book or a gossip magazine or a blog!
Call the hospital ahead of time for visiting hours and guidelines
Visiting hours vary depending on the hospital and area the patient is placed. Intensive Care Units will probably have stricter guidelines. Some places don’t allow children, not only for the health of the patient, but also for the health of the children.
Check with the front desk/ security on bringing gifts
Some hospitals don’t allow latex balloons or other products for allergy reasons! Also, there might not be space in the hospital rooms for large gifts. Some rooms might not even be rooms! Beware of curtain dividers.
