Who is a caregiver?
A person who gives care to people who need help taking care of themselves.
Caregivers may be health professionals, family members, friends or social workers They may give care at home or in a hospital or other health care setting.
What are the Types of Caregivers?
Caregivers are of 2 types: Formal and Informal caregivers
Formal Caregiver: Formal caregiver are trained towards patient care and have knowledge and information about disease condition
Informal caregivers: Informal caregivers can be anyone close to the patient, family member, spouse, parents, friend etc. Some person dedicated to patient care who may be volunteers, person from non medical/ healthcare background
Why is a caregiver required?
Caregivers are necessary to help lung patients cope with the disease and also take care of their needs, which include:
Physical
Emotional
Financial
Psychological
Emergency
Handling the patient
Tips for patient management by caregivers
Education: Educating self about the condition and explaining about it to the patient and other family members is important
The caregiver must be aware of the signs and symptoms, emergency management and care
Research and information of advancement in treatment option will help in better management of patient with proper guidance from healthcare professionals only
Organise: Organize and schedule the day for the patient
Make things simple and keep realistic goals for them
Plan the activities for the day, week according to the patient condition and symptoms
Keep medications ready beforehand to avoid haste, use organiser boxes for medicines
Plan visitors interaction and provide them with appropriate time for meets
Diet: Prepare diet and food in advance, high protein and high calorie diet. Prepare weekly food menu to include all types of nutrients
Environmental Modification: Modify the environment according to the requirements
Plan the visits outside in advance to make arrangements as per the location
When oxygen is to be used should be taken care of for elderly, use of assistive devices should be considered if required
SUMMARY
Caregivers may be formal/ informal
Caregivers are an important aspect of any patient's life
Caregivers can better organise their handling by planning ahead, setting a schedule for both themselves & their patient, incorporating activities for all aspects of the patients life, all while keeping the healthcare team & family aware & informed of the same.
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