Pain Information for
Caregivers
A "family caregiver" is anyone who provides any
type of physical and/or emotional care for an ill or disabled
loved one at home. Sometimes, "family" is whoever
shows up to help. If you are wondering what you can do to help,
here are some ideas:
First, learn everything you can about
your loved one’s
condition(s). Understanding what is causing the pain and what
can aggravate it will help you to be more compassionate. If
your loved one does not have a diagnosis, help them find one.
Although the source of the pain may not always be clear, always
believe that your loved one’s pain is what they say it
is.
Do not assume they don’t have pain, if they don’t
mention it. Periodically ask if they hurt and where they hurt.
Do not assume it’s mild or manageable, even if they say
it is just “sore” or “numb”. If your
loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or any cognitive impairments,
they still feel pain, but will probably not communicate it.
Observe for changes in behavior, moaning and groaning, soft
voice, tense facial expressions, laying down more, fidgeting.
and/or resistance to care. Also, be aware for conditions (i.e.
arthritis) and situations (i.e. tube feeding) where there is
a high risk for pain.
Ask if you can go to the doctor or
practitioner with your loved one. People often benefit from
an advocate. Even if they
are normally alert and able to communicate well, pain often
causes cloudy thinking. Also, it’s us to put on their
best face when seeing the doctor and not complain. Help your
loved one be as organized as possible before the visit by documenting
the pain symptoms, how is it affecting quality of life, medications
currently being taken (including over-the-counter and herbal
supplements) and writing down questions you’d like to
ask. Be prepared to take notes during the visit. Encourage
your loved one to be as involved as possible in the conversation;
they need to feel a sense of control over their health care.
Be as patient as you can with your
loved one. Be a supportive listener, but do not allow yourself
to be worn down. Take good
care of yourself. Suggest that your loved one attend a support
group or receive counseling if they need more attention than
you can give. It’s often helpful for family members to
attend a family support group. Setting clear boundaries on
what you will and will not do is healthy for both of you. You
cannot save your loved one from their pain, but your relationship
can make a big difference in how well they cope with it.
Caregiver Support Groups
To find a caregiver support group in
your area for your specific health condition, check with
the social work department of
your local hospitals for listings. Also, check with a related
association for your loved one’s diagnosis.
Other possibilities:
(Contributed by Rebecca Rengo-Kocher, MSW, LCSW author of Beyond Chronic Pain: A get-well guidebook for soothing chronic pain of the body, mind & spirit)
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Information
About Pain