Can we get a round of applause for the Caregivers in our lives? These include the healthcare professionals in the hospital, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, homecare, general practitioners, family, and friends. Sepsis recovery is a long, up-and-down road, and we can be dependent or need assistance with our daily needs.
I wanted to know how to make caregiving a little easier so I asked AI & this is what I got:
Caregivers can help with a variety of tasks, including:
Bathing
Here in Canada, the Canadian Red Cross loans a wide array of equipment.
If your person prefers to purchase brand new, I recommend a shower chair and a hand held shower head. As I’ve said before, bathing is exhausting for someone in recovery. The chair is to prevent falls and the hand held shower head keeps you, the caregiver, from getting soaked. This makes washing hair so much easier!
Transportation
I love Uber, but if you require extra help in urban areas check with your local transit authority. Here in Vancouver we have HandyDART.
Also, check with your local church and other community organizations. Sometimes they have outreach programs for those needing assistance.
Grocery Shopping
We live in an age where we can have ANYTHING delivered. To save yourself some time, you can order most pantry items via Amazon or check out Instacart for more selection.
Housework
According to YouTube there are people who enjoy Housework?
Google housecleaner in your area, I’m sure there are many services. If your survivor has a smaller budget, check Craigslist or Kijiji, just bear in mind these cleaners are not bonded. Maybe you have a friend or neighbor with a house cleaner they can recommend or maybe they have time themselves.
Managing Incontinence
Most women who have had children will likely experience this regardless of health status, but Sepsis can cause dysfunction for both the digestive and urinary tract. Urgent bowel & urinary incontinence can make your loved one not want to leave the house. Try ensuring they don’t drink too much fluids before bed, or wait until they can’t hold it anymore to go to the washroom & if all else fails, there are products for both urine & fecal incontinence. You name it they sell it on Amazon!
Assisting with Mobility
Strength & endurance were my big issues. Remember the line-ups during Covid? I needed a seat after a few minutes. Again you can loan equipment through the Canadian Red Cross or check out these items on Amazon.
Preparing Meals
If my Husband didn’t cook for me, I probably wouldn’t have eaten very well. Keep some Boost, saltines, soup, and pudding cups on hand for easy access. I know we all try to eat healthy, but I found fiber to be my enemy for many years. I got my calories via bread, potatoes, pasta and rice. Your sepsis survivor will let you know what works for them,
If you like to cook, this article from the Flavor Network compares GoodFood, Chefs Plate, HelloFresh, and Plant Prepped meal kits. Bottom line, they all simplify meal planning and preparation.
Of course there’s always DoorDash and Skip the Dishes. Plus I have a promo code for Uber Eats. Use promo code CANUCKS2024 for 50% OFF your first 2 orders until 3/31/2025.
Also, your local church or other organizations may provide meals for free or at a discounted rate.
Dispensing Medications
Chances are your loved one is going to be on multiple medications. Most pharmacies will dispense in blister packs so you know what pill to take at what time on what day.
Otherwise get yourself a pill organizer to save yourself time.
I could not advocate for myself for many years. The brain fog and amnesia were too much.
Get yourself a notebook to keep track of medication dispensing, changes in health, questions for the healthcare professionals. I can never remember what I wanted to ask in the moment, but writing it down is foolproof.
Paid or unpaid, you are providing an essential service! However it can be very taxing and you need to take care of YOU!
You can call 811 for health questions anytime. They have Nurses, Pharmacists, Dieticians, Exercise Professionals and even Mental Health Professionals to help you problem solve or to help yourself.
I also love the online community established by the Sepsis Alliance Connect. There is much information available there and once you sign up, you can attend on-line meetings with individuals around the world facing the same challenges you are. I’ve found it helps to know I am not alone!
That’s all I’ve got for now. If I’ve forgotten anything or if you have further questions, Say Hi!
