Buzz
Millions of individuals live with some form of disability, meaning that most people have a friend or family member who is affected. Disabilities, while common, present a wide array of challenges. Family members seeking to support their loved ones may encounter various obstacles. However, armed with knowledge, you can effectively provide both physical and emotional support to your family member.
Actions
Offering Assistance and Comfort to Your Relative
Be attentive to the needs of your family member. Whether you reside with the individual or visit them occasionally, remain observant to determine if they require physical or emotional aid. Understanding your family member's situation is essential for providing appropriate support and assistance.
Offer assistance based on their needs. Depending on their specific disability, you can provide support to your family member by offering assistance in various forms such as physical help, emotional support, or planning for the short-term or long-term.
Assist your relative in obtaining necessary equipment or resources. Your relative may require disability-related resources that they currently lack. Support them in acquiring the necessary equipment or resources.
Show love and compassion. Demonstrating love and care is essential when assisting a family member with a disability. Without expressing love and compassion, they may feel uncomfortable or unhappy.
Plan family gatherings considerately. Thoughtfully plan family events to ensure inclusivity for your disabled relative. Consider their needs and preferences to enable their full participation in family activities.
Getting Yourself Ready
Familiarize yourself with your family member’s condition. With the wide array of disabilities, investing time in understanding your family member’s specific condition will equip you with the knowledge to provide effective assistance in the future.
Cultivate your patience. Patience is an invaluable virtue when supporting family members with disabilities. It's crucial to remain patient, considering the challenges individuals with disabilities face daily.
Assess the type of support within your capacity. Evaluate the support you can offer, whether it's physical, financial, or emotional. Recognize your limitations and plan accordingly, considering factors like finances, time, and other commitments.
Effective Communication
Offer support upon request. Instead of assuming, inquire if your family member requires physical or emotional assistance. By directly asking, you extend help without imposing and respect their autonomy in seeking aid.
Attentively hear their voice. When discussing their disability, attentive listening is paramount. Through active listening, you grasp their challenges and perspectives, facilitating meaningful assistance.
Collaborate with other family members. Ensure a cohesive support network for your disabled family member by coordinating with relatives. Establish effective communication channels and share caregiving responsibilities to enhance their support system.
