If your loved one has just been diagnosed with a chronic illness, or if an illness they have lived with their entire life has suddenly taken a turn for the worse, you may find yourself in a position where your caregiving for them is increasing or will be soon.
Providing Care Versus Providing Support
Each person is wired differently with different strengths, especially when it comes to caring for others. Some might be great at stepping in and taking over chores while others are gifted with the ability to sit alongside someone and simply listen. Neither is better than the other, but having a balance of both can help you as you prepare to walk alongside the path that this current chronic illness will send your loved one on.
Four Starting Tips for Showing Empathy
Don’t feel bad if you don’t always know how to be empathetic to your loved one. Empathy, like many other traits, can be learned, and there are several ways to demonstrate your empathy towards your loved ones.
Actively Listen
A big part of actively listening is holding your tongue and just letting the person talk. Stay fully engaged without any distractions such as a TV show or the phone. Listen to each word that’s being said and focus on body language since body language will often provide clues to the meaning behind the words. It’s okay to ask clarifying questions when actively listening but take steps to make sure that your questions do not display disbelief or contradictions.
Acknowledge their Feelings
Oftentimes, we may assume they know we understand how they are feeling by our actions. But for many of those suffering from a chronic illness, it helps to hear that you understand how they feel. If you’re not sure how they are feeling, ask and then listen. Try to avoid telling them what they should or should not be feeling or comparing how you felt in a similar situation.
Don’t Dismiss their Experiences
If your loved one is sharing about how her chronic illness affects anything from her sleep to her emotions to her fears of her future, don’t dismiss those feelings. While you might feel like you are comforting her by saying “Oh, don’t worry about that,” it can often be more helpful to let her talk it out.
Be Patient and Understanding
While your loved one has no right to be abusive to others as she struggles with her illness, it can help if you’re more understanding of last-minute cancellations, down days, and a lack of enthusiasm. Help her remember that she is not a burden and that you care for her, no matter how she feels that day.
Get Help so You Can Show More Empathy
Showing empathy can be hard when you’re burning the candle on both ends by doing all of the physical caregiving as well. Consider getting a professional 24-hour home care team to partner with you to take care of your loved one’s physical needs. A 24-hour home care team can help with daily grooming, meal prep, and home chores so you can be there for your loved one on a more emotional support level. A 24-hour home care team will support you by serving your loved one.
If you or an ageing loved one are considering 24-hour home care in Devon, please contact the caring staff at Serving Hands Senior Care today. Call (780) 963-1516
Premiere Home Health and Senior Home Care services in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Devon, St. Albert, Edmonton, Onoway, Leduc, Parkland County and surrounding communities since 2016.
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