Understanding Arthritis: Advice for CAREGivers
Arthritis affects family, friends and caregivers in different ways to the person who's living with the condition. But it's vital that there's a mutual understanding of what it's like to actually live with arthritis. A diagnosis of arthritis can bring on sudden, unwelcome change to the person with arthritis and their loved ones. If you're living with, or friends with someone who has arthritis go easy on them. Pain and discomfort can make them iritable, so they need just that extra spoonful of patience and support from you, when the going gets tough.
Read up on arthritis and on the unique properties of your loved one's form of arthritis. Become a familiar with how pain, fatigue, swelling, stiffness, treatments and their side effects work in their lives, so that you can better understand their world.
Don't try to solve your loved one's issues. Sometimes, all she needs is for you to listen, as she explains her emotions around her pain or discomfort that day. If she needs something specific, encourage her to ask for it, but don't disempower people living with arthritis by assuming you know what's best for them on any given day.
Don't make plans that you can't change. It won't always be possible for the person with arthritis to go shopping, visit relatives or go to the pub, because of a flare-up; so learn to live with the good days and forgive the bad days. That flexibility will enable the person with arthritis to feel able to go places when they're well.
By accompanying your loved one to the GP or rheumatologist, you'll get a good grasp, first hand, of what they're feeling, what treatment the doctor is prescribing and why. It's also useful to be able to discuss the visit beforehand, so you can get answers to any questions either of you has.
Acknowledge that arthritis does not define your relationship with your partner, son, daughter or friend. Arthritis may define what can be done on a particular day, but it does not define the person living with it. Offer them the same support and friendship you would to a person without arthritis. Don't allow resentment over forgotten appointments or bad tempers to build up between you. Instead, keep the communicatin channel open, so you can both voice your feelings about what it's like for both of you to live with arthritis. Being able to speak freely will enhance the richness of your relationship and be a ray of sunshine in both your lives.
Did You Know
Arthritis Ireland not only supports people with arthritis but their friends and families too. Log on to www.arthritisireland.e to find out more.
This articles was provided by Arthritis Ireland.