Looking after somebody with impairments that are either physical or mental can prove to be a daunting task. You will feel exhausted physically and drained emotionally, especially during turbulent times where you feel that there is nothing to show for your efforts. It takes an exemplary amount of compassion and understanding to successfully look after them and you also have to keep yourself in good health. Here are some simple tips to help you look after a differently abled person.
Rely on outside help
The first correct step that you can take before undertaking this challenge is realizing and acknowledging that you are not alone. There are many individuals who are in the same position as you are and there are discussion and motivation programs to help you out with the hurdles. Take maximum advantage of them. Also rely on the help of other family members, friends and even your community. You can also employ the help of accredited disability service providers at times when you feel like you need the input of a professional. Read this article to find out more reviews regarding accredited disability service.
Look after yourself
You cannot care for a person who is in fragile condition if you are not strong. You need to ensure that you are in great health and shape for you to be agile on your feet and generally positive in your way of thinking. No matter how pushed you are for time, eat well and get at least eight hours of sleep at night. Without the right nutrients and rest your body will lapse into a state of depression and you will unintentionally focus on everything negative and ignore your positive growth with the person you are looking after. If you want to treat yourself to a day of shopping, employ a respite care facility that will look after your loved one as well as you do. Sometimes giving yourself a break is important to allow for inspiration in how you can take on things better with your loved one.
Ensure the house is a safe zone
This does not mean that you need to child proof your home from floor to ceiling. It just means that you avoid obvious dangers that can put the life of your loved one under threat in your house. For example, if the differently abled person is a child, avoid leaving sharp objects and the likes around as you would do usually. If the person is an adult with epilepsy ensure there are no chances of strobe lights or similarly stimulating images within the vicinity of that person. If your loved one has Autism and hates orange, avoid keeping anything orange coloured where they can see them. A little bit of common sense is more than enough to ensure that they are safe and out of harm’s way. Also remember that just because a person is differently abled, it does not mean that they are less intelligent than you. They only need a bit of assistance. The key is to stay strong and happy even through the toughest of times.
Have you been thinking about fostering a child or children lately? Are you finding it hard to decide if this is something you truly want to do? As this is a decision that involves many people, it’s best taken after properly thinking through. In fact, we wouldn’t even blame you if you took several years to make this decision. Here are a few questions to ask yourself, to help you along with making your decision in regards to this.
Do you know the difference?
There’s a huge difference between fostering a child, and adopting a child. And it is in no way, we have to emphasize, a training period if you have plans to adopt kids. Fostering generally happens when the parents are either not capable of taking care of their children, or if they are not available temporarily. It can be due to court cases or even simply an accident which has them hospitalized. Understand that unlike with adopting, where a child becomes a permanent part of your family, here eventually, this child will be leaving your home one day.
Are you prepared for the extra work?
Being foster parents Victoria is no easy task. And this is regardless to whether you will be taking care of toddlers or teenagers. It involves a lot of work, and will require that you work harder physically and mentally. Some children in situations as such are abused and may require assistance in even doing their daily work. You may even have to deal with nightmares and bed wetting; even with older kids. Ask yourself if you’re prepared for this.
What is your true motive behind this decision?
Be honest with yourself here. Ask yourself why you want to do this, why you’re putting yourself (and your family) through this experience. Sure, you get paid to look after them, and yes, this will make you “look good” among your friends. But if these are the reasons behind your decision, then it may be better not going through with it. Honestly, your only reason for taking this decision has to be your need to help someone in trouble.
Have you spoken to the experienced?
And last, it’s always a good idea to speak to social workers of this field and others experienced in fostering before you crystalize your decision. Not only will listening to their experiences help you make the decision, but if they don’t scare you off it, they might even be able to give you a few useful points in juggling responsibilities and handling the children…