Handicaps can occur at any time, and to anyone; and the most common cases of handicaps occur due to age and accidents. In a family where there is a handicapped person, responsibilities and tasks for making sure that everything is running as closer to normal as possible is given to everyone. The caregiver responsibilities are hard to be handled by one person, so dissemination of the responsibilities is the best way to care. In the cases of severe handicaps like paralysis and autism, the handicapped family member will need to be watched at all times.

Involving all able and willing family members

In the case of caring for an elderly, adult or young adult members should take responsibility of tasks such as feeding, changing clothes and bathing where physical strength is needed to handle the body. Younger members of the family should be given responsibility to keeping company with the elderly member and keeping them engaged. Depression is common in handicapped persons and having a companion significantly reduces the risk of depression in a handicapped person. If a family member cannot become a constant companion, then a service dog or a cat can come to the aid. Or if you can afford it, then get professional help from home care services.

Make sure that you take time for yourself

Even if you are taking the whole responsibility, always try to take time for yourself from the troubles. Mental health and physical health of the caregiver is essential for making sure that your handicapped member gets proper care as well. Ask a disability support center to send someone for a day or two if you are the sole caretaker, otherwise get another family member to sub in for a day or two. Whether it is a physical handicap or a mental one, the stress and pressure it can give to the caretaker is also significant.

Keep up a constant talk and team motto going in the family about the caregiving plan. When each member of the family takes turns to help with home care services for seniors, a team morale and objective must be in everyone’s mind. So whenever the day ends, take time to have a family chat and make sure that everyone is in the same page when it comes to caregiving. This will help you keep track of who is doing what and what else can be done for making sure that everything is provided properly. Make sure to include the care receiver into the conversation, or it will isolate them from the family.