Ressources / Pour les soignants
Pour les soignants
A caregiver is someone who provides physical and emotional care to someone with liver disease – but they aren’t compensated for this work.
A caregiver is someone who provides physical and emotional care to someone with liver disease – but they aren’t compensated for this work.
Depending on the case, people with liver disease may receive some or most of their care as an outpatient, which means they are not admitted to a hospital. Most often, they can and want to spend more time at home. This at home care comes from a caregiver. Caregivers are usually a partner or spouse, parent, adult, child, or close friend of the person with liver disease.
Being a caregiver isn’t easy. It involves taking on many new and important responsibilities and it’s often a long-term commitment. Caregivers often feel the same emotions as their loved ones affected by liver disease, including fear, isolation, exhaustion, or even anger.
While the responsibility can be stressful, new, and overwhelming at times, it can also be extremely rewarding. Remember, you’re helping your loved one at a time when they need your support more than ever, and that’s truly amazing! Some rewards that caregivers have reported include:
What you do as a caregiver often changes over time and depends on the severity of your loved one’s condition.
Here are some of the potential responsibilities that you may take on:
Providing physical care is a common part of caregiving, especially if your loved one is living with a chronic and progressed form of liver disease. You may be asked to help your loved one:
You and your loved one will have good days and bad days. Some days will be more emotionally taxing than others, and they will lean on you for this emotional support. You can help your loved one cope best by:
Caregivers often take over tasks that are a part of day-to-day life, including cleaning, doing laundry, grocery shopping, handling school drop-offs and pick-ups, paying household bills, etc. In some cases, you may also need to manage their finances, insurance claims, etc.
As caregiver, you’ll also likely circulate your loved one’s health updates to your larger community of family and friends. Consider asking another close friend or family member to disseminate your updates to reduce your mental load.
Take good care of your body and mind. Eat well, stay physically active (a simple walk around the block can do wonders!), get enough rest, don’t neglect your own medical and routine appointments, take a break when you need it, seek out professional support for coping with stress, and ask for help.
We’re stronger when we work together. Don’t take on the role of caregiver by yourself. Ask your community to babysit, pick up groceries, clean the house, etc.
Stay open and honest with the loved one you’re caring for. Manage their expectations and set boundaries of care. If you’re no longer equipped to take on the role of caregiver, that’s okay – you can discuss a solution and future care plan together.
Caregiving is a big commitment. Be upfront and open with your employer and let them know you’re stepping into a caregiver role. Employee support programs may be available to you.
Our National Help Line isn’t just for people living with liver disease – it’s for the entire village. Call 1-800-563-5483 or fill out our contact form.
