Epilepsy Blog Relay—Importance of Caregivers

This post is part of the Epilepsy Blog Relay™ which will run from March 1 through March 31. Follow along and add comments to posts that inspire you!

Epilepsy is scary and takes a team effort.  This includes caregivers—that is, parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents, other relatives, or friends/guardians.  They are the unsung heroes in the fight to gain seizure freedom and help the person with epilepsy achieve a fulfilling life.

We often forget about the caregivers since we concentrate on the person with epilepsy. However, it is the love and support of the caregiver that helps us survive and thrive. It takes a lot of hard work to look after someone with epilepsy, and I am grateful for my family who supports me.

To be an effective caregiver, here are some guidelines:

·         Be informed. What type(s) of seizure(s) does your loved one have and what first aid is necessary (if any)?

·         Have open communication with your loved one—ask questions when in doubt.

·         Work together with the medical team. Take notes to monitor seizures. Record behavior/mood changes.

·         Be encouraging and promote well-being. Allow them to discuss their emotions.

·         Make sure the living situation is safe. Use the microwave rather than the stove, shower rather than bath. Pad sharp corners. Carpet the floors.

·         Educate others about epilepsy.

·         Support activity and independence as much as possible.

·         Finally, DON’T DO IT ALL YOURSELF. And, remember to take care of yourself and take some time off.

This last recommendation is the key.  Otherwise you will get burned out. No matter how dedicated you are, you are going to be tired and frustrated which may lead to worsening in other life events. What you want is to live as fully as possible, even with epilepsy in your life.

Resources

http://healthguides.healthgrades.com/finding-the-right-epilepsy-treatment/7-helpful-tips-for-epilepsy-caregivers

http://livingwellwithepilepsy.com/caregivers-and-loved-ones

http://www.edmontonepilepsy.org/documents/Epilepsy%20-%20Guide%20For%20Professionals%20&%20Caregivers.pdf

NEXT UP: Check out the next post tomorrow by Greg Grunberg, a true activist, (http://livingwellwithepilepsy.com) for more on epilepsy awareness. For the full schedule of bloggers visit the gallery of particpants.

And don’t miss your chance to connect with bloggers on the #LivingWellChat on March 31 at 7PM ET.