5 Important Coping Strategies to Help You Manage a Loved One’s Illness
You can face many emotional and mental challenges when managing a loved one’s illness. They may be the ones who are unwell, but that doesn’t mean it’s not taking a toll on those around them. Just as it’s important for your loved one to receive help, it’s also crucial for friends and family members to access support and take steps to look after themselves. If you’re not doing everything possible to take care of yourself in the wake of a loved one’s illness, now might be the right time to explore these coping strategies:
Educate Yourself On Your Loved One’s Illness
Fear of the unknown can result in a great deal of turmoil. If you don’t understand your loved one’s illness, education might help you make the right decisions and feel less emotional turmoil. For example, you might explore assisted living or memory care providers like Longhouse when your family member has dementia, learn about the benefits, and understand the symptoms and prognosis of someone living with dementia. Being well-informed can be scary, but it enables you to make educated choices for peace of mind.
Ask for Help
You might be close to your family member living with an illness, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to be the only one feeling the pain, stress, and fear associated with it. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other people for help. Rely on family members and friends who know what you’re going through and can be a desperately needed support network. Being the closest to someone with an illness doesn’t mean you have to be the only one managing the entire emotional and mental burden.
Communicate With Your Loved One
Depending on the illness your loved one has been diagnosed with, you may not feel like you can talk to them about it for fear of upsetting them. If you believe communicating with them about their illness will help them and those around them, don’t be afraid to do so.
Some people diagnosed with illnesses only keep information and their feelings to themselves out of fear that their loved ones don’t want to talk about it. Making it known that you’re open to communication may provide much-needed peace of mind. Communicating about a disease may even be helpful, especially with illnesses like dementia.
Look After Yourself
A new illness diagnosis can mean that all focus and attention is on the unwell person. That can be important for their well-being and recovery, but it doesn’t mean yours has to be pushed to the side. Don’t forget to look after yourself so you can be strong for those who need you. Ensure you get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and remember to do things that bring you joy, like hobbies and social outings with friends.
Take Breaks
If you’re your loved one’s primary care provider, you can spend most of your time looking after them and their needs. It’s an important role, but you’re allowed to take breaks. Explore respite care or see if other family members or friends would be willing to ease the load. Taking breaks can be crucial for your mental health.
Coping with a loved one’s illness can take its toll. When you’re feeling overwhelmed with your situation, don’t forget to take breaks, communicate, and look after yourself. Your own mental well-being can depend on it.