Caring for a loved one when they’re suffering from a chronic illness doesn’t just entail caring for their physical well-being. When your loved ones are sick, more often than not, their mental health suffers as well. When your loved one is sick, finding out the best place to start can be difficult. When your loved one’s wellness is being affected, it can make you feel helpless, but there are many ways that you can assist.
From the common cold to more serious illnesses, people can fall ill at any time. Cancer affects patients of all ages. Colorectal cancers are often detected in people ages 20 to 54. That age group accounts for one in five colorectal cancer patients.
There are many ways that you can make your loved one feel better. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few places to start when making your sick loved one feel better. Listening to someone may not seem like it would make that much of a difference to someone’s day, but lending an ear can mean more than you know. When your loved one is sick and confined to bed, sometimes all that they want is someone to sit by their side.
When you’re sick, sometimes there’s a feeling that people aren’t interested in what you have to say. However, this is not the case, spending a little extra time just to listen can alleviate depressive thoughts. Taking time to talk with them about their interests and topics that bring them joy is a small way to brighten someone’s mood.
Bring a Little Brightness
It’s amazing how much a simple gesture can brighten someone’s day. 65% of Americans have their day brightened when they receive flowers. Flowers not only show your care, but they can also brighten up any room. Flowers can be a reminder that there are brighter times ahead. Although the most popular times to send flowers are Valentine’s and Mother’s Day, they are a year-round gift that can lift anyone’s spirits.
Do Some of Their Favorite Activities
While many times people cannot do certain activities when they are sick, there are still plenty of activities that don’t require leaving the comfort of their bed or couch. If your loved one is a fan of activities like games or movies, spending time each day to select an activity with them can help your loved one feel engaged.
Grab Comfort Foods or Drinks
Sometimes there is nothing more comfortable than a warm drink or your favorite meal. Depending on how sick your loved one is, they may not be in the mood for their favorite foods, but you can substitute those for a warm drink such as tea or broth. When you’re sick, getting nutrients is essential. Any way that you can help your loved one stay hydrated and nourished not only helps with their comfort but can help speed up recovery.
Enjoy A Change of Scenery
One of the hardest parts of being sick is being confined to the same space for long periods of time. If you can take your loved one for a short walk, it provides a breath of fresh air, along with a change of scenery. If a walk will exert your loved one too much, even moving rooms in their home can make a big difference. When you’re in bed all day, time can feel like it’s crawling by. Taking a couple of minutes each day to get your loved one up and to a new spot can help prevent boredom.
When caring for your loved one, one of the important things is to also remember to care for yourself. If you don’t take time to care for yourself, you run the risk of fatigue and burnout. Caring for a loved one is a big responsibility that can be very rewarding. Just remember, if you aren’t feeling well yourself, caring for your loved one can be a difficult process.
