HealthSmartMom

It is hard to accept when a loved one sustains an injury or illness that leads to a physical challenge in their lives.  We may become their main caregiver.  That can scare and immobilize the strongest people.  But, understanding can make it all work out.

After the initial shock that comes from learning of a physical challenge, we still have to care for our loved one.  This is both a mental and a physical task for caregivers.  Imagine how the loved one feels.  They have lost a part of their life that they will be unable, or have to struggle, to get back.  It is even more of a blow to them.

The last thing anyone wants to be is a burden to another person, especially someone that they love.  Being dependent reminds us of being an invalid.  We lose a sense of control when our lives are in the hands of another.

Understanding a loved one’s physical challenge begins here.  It is hard to help someone who doesn’t want or need our help.  Part of giving care is knowing when to help and when to let them go.  The line between the two is fine and we are challenged daily.

Another area that immobilizes caregivers is the actual physical care of our physically challenged loved ones.  We don’t know where to begin to help them.  Knowledge is power here just like everywhere else.

Learn all that you can about the disease, illness, or injury.  Doctors can provide pamphlets and the names of websites and foundations familiar with the condition.  Therapists are usually needed for rehabilitation.  They would be happy to engage the caregiver in therapy sessions and answer any questions.

Managing and understanding a loved one’s physical challenge is a team effort.  You are the head, but many arms will uphold you and your loved one throughout the experience.  It involves doctors, psychiatrists, therapists, extended family, home health nurses, and others for support.  Each person adds a different perspective on the needs of your loved one to build a complete picture of their situation.

Caregivers need support as well.  To be a better caregiver it is sometimes necessary to step back and take a break.  Around the clock care can take its toll both physically and mentally.  Love can quickly turn to resentment and guilt.

Time away can keep that from happening.  Enlist the help of child and adult daycare centers, home care agencies, and family to share the care.  Get away and enjoy time alone or with friends.  Now you are renewed in mind and body to care for your loved one.

Understanding a physical challenge involves time, teamwork, and knowledge.  No one can care for another all alone.  Utilize a support network to increase the quality of life for your loved one and yourself.

As children with physical challenges age, their differences can become more apparent.  The toddler stage will find kids exploring their surroundings and themselves.  Learn how to help your toddler face their physical challenges.

Firstly, a physical challenge doesn’t diminish your child in any way.  Positive acceptance of the physical challenge whether it be due to an accident or birth, is needed to help the toddler accept who they are.  Give all the love and support that you can to your toddler as they learn and grow.

Toddlers normally find it frustrating to try and do something and not succeed.  A child with physical challenges will be equally frustrated.  At this stage of development, a child has no idea that they are any different from any other child.  They will follow their instincts when it comes to playing, talking, and moving.

When the physical challenge involves missing limbs, most toddlers will compensate.  That is one of the extraordinary things about young children — they can learn to adapt as long as their parents will help them.  For example, a child born with one leg will crawl awkwardly because their balance is off.  Parents can aid their crawling with a rolling board to help support them and give balance.  Developmental aids are available online for toddlers and other age groups.

Toddlers with other physical challenges will need more assistance.  Any physical challenge that impairs normal learning poses a unique dilemma for parents and the child.  A toddler who can’t see won’t be able to recognize colors, for example.  For them, a different learning pathway involving touch and speaking will aid their development.  A toddler who can’t hear can use sight and touch to learn new concepts.

All children need repetition early in life in order to learn.  A toddler with a physical challenge will likely test a parent’s patience while they are learning.  The process of teaching a child with physical needs can be frustrating for the parent who wants so desperately for their child not to fall behind.

The important thing to remember is that a toddler with physical challenges is different.  That doesn’t mean they can’t learn but that it will take more time to do so.  And, parents may have to try various approaches until they find one that their toddler responds to.

Handling a toddler is not easy even without physical challenges.  To manage, find a support group in your area.  Support groups are often necessary for parents to come to terms with the reality of their child’s life.  In the beginning, it may be too painful to sit with others and discuss your child.  An alternative is to opt for online support groups where you can talk openly with other struggling parents but cry in private if you need to.

A toddler with physical challenges needs love, support, and understanding.  And like all small children, they are curious and learn their way from their parents.  It is our job to provide a safe learning environment using all the resources available to us.

The teenage years are difficult for both parent and child.  When a teenager also faces physical challenges, it can be a nightmare for the unprepared parent.  How can parents help their physically challenged teenager?

Teenagers can give their parents a run for their money.  Between the ages of thirteen to eighteen, these children are growing into young adulthood.  Teenagers are finding out new things about their bodies and how to keep from feeling awkward in social situations.  When you factor in physical challenges, things can get explosive.

Parents often dread this time in their child’s life because it can be so chaotic.  But, parents are not without their resources to help a teenager in crisis.  The number one weapon in their arsenal is unconditional support.

Teenagers can be angry people.  Everything that happens to them is a tragedy.  When a teenager possesses a physical challenge the emotions can be even more intense.  This is the time when they begin to realize that they are different and that it matters to their peers.  Because they are unsure of themselves, some teenagers criticize everything about everyone else.

We all want to spare our children the experience of being the object of cruelty.  Many of these situations happen at school away from the eyes of parents.  A child with physical challenges needs to be prepared for the possibility of these situations, just like any other teenager.

Parents help by listening to their teenager.  Some of the things they say about themselves could hurt you.  Your teenager might express feelings of self-hate because of their physical challenges.  You may want to cry but resist the urge.  Hurting teenagers need strength and that will come from you.

Telling them that they are beautiful to you only adds insult to injury.  They expect their parents to make statements like that.  Instead, teach them how to be themselves.  This won’t be easy either, but it prepares them for life beyond your walls.

Let’s use an example.  A teenager with autism may notice that it is hard for them to play basketball because they are not coordinated.  They get teased in gym class.  Take the time to practise basketball with them at home, not because you want them to show off to their classmates, but to increase their confidence in themselves.

Teenagers with noticeable physical differences are sometimes ostracized by others.  Teach them to play to their strengths.  What does your teenager like to do?  Instead of trying to fit in on someone else’s terms, nurture the artist or musician within them so they can make a name for themselves using their talents.

In addition to these things, encourage teenagers to join support groups and attend camps for the physically challenged.  Even if they remain mainstreamed in school, it is also good to get away and interact with teens just like them.

Being a teenager isn’t easy and trying to survive as one with a physical challenge is doubly hard.  As a parent, show unified support and acceptance even in topsy-turvy times.  Your teenager will draw their strength from your faith in them.

We all know how important a good night’s sleep is to living a healthy life and feeling rested throughout the day.  If you don’t get enough sleep, or don’t get a good quality of sleep, you can not only be left dragging mentally, you can also suffer physically.  And as you age, you may find yourself sleeping differently.  You may need more or less sleep, or wake more frequently.

Everyone knows that you are supposed to get eight hours’ sleep a night, but many people don’t realize that this may not apply to them.  While most people need close to eight hours, a few people only need four or five hours of sleep a night while others need up to eleven.  That’s why it’s important to listen to your body and figure out what’s most healthy for you.

The amount and type of sleep we need changes as we get older.  This is fairly obvious by looking at babies, who spend most of the day sleeping.  You may also have noticed that we again require more sleep as we hit puberty and become teenagers, but the changes don’t stop there.  Alterations in our sleeping patterns continue all the way through adulthood and into our senior years.

Once you hit adulthood, you’ve probably figured out how much sleep you really should be getting.  After that, the amount of sleep you need probably isn’t going to change very much.  The problem is that as we age, our quality of sleep goes down.  Older people wake up more often in the middle of the night and simply don’t get as restful a sleep.  This may make you feel more tired during the day so you think you need more sleep, or may cause you to wake in the middle of the night, giving the illusion you need less sleep.

While many people notice changes in their sleep quality as they age, that doesn’t really mean that aging is the cause.  As we age, we also develop more physical and mental health problems, which could be the real cause of our loss of sleep quality.  Not only can the illnesses themselves wreak havoc on our sleep schedules, but so does the medicine used to treat them.  Plus, if you’re not getting appropriate amounts of sleep, you may notice a worsening of your symptoms because you body is too tired to respond appropriately.

If you are an adult who has noticed changes in your sleep pattern, amount, or quality, take the time to see your doctor.  They can run tests to rule our medical reasons for your sleep issues and can even put you in a sleep study to further diagnose the problem.  Even if there is no medical cause, there are new non-habit forming drugs that can help you get a better night’s rest.  With proper treatment, you will be able to get more high quality sleep and feel rested and ready for every day.