Caring For Your Loved One With Lupus

Caregiver in Arlington VA

Caring for your aging parent or senior loved one with lupus can be a lifelong challenge that impacts everyone involved.

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body including the joints, organs and even skin. It is more commonly diagnosed in people under 45; but late onset Lupus, or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), can develop in people later in life after age 55.

In lupus, like other autoimmune diseases, the immune system creates autoantibodies that attack the immune system itself rather than simply producing antibodies to attack antigens like viruses and bacteria.

Flares

The symptoms of lupus will seem to appear all of a sudden or “flare up.” Lupus flares can be caused by anything that triggers your loved one’s immune system, including:

●       Ultraviolet light or exposure to the sun

●       Infection

●       Stress

●       Starting a new medication (prescribed or over the counter)

●       Stopping medication

Lupus is a lifelong battle. The uncertainty of the disease affects the life of the caregiver as much as the person with lupus. For that reason, caregivers should take active steps to take care of themselves as well. The following are some suggestions on how to do just that:

Educate yourself about lupus: Learn as much as you can about lupus. Make sure that the information you receive is from trustworthy sources, is accurate and up-to-date.

Ask for help: You cannot do everything. Never be embarrassed to ask for help from a friend, family member or support organization.

Reach to the community: Connect with resources in your community for help, advice and guidance on how to care for your loved one with lupus. From crisis intervention and doctor referrals to educational materials and entitlement assistance; community resources can help with more than you may think.

Know your limits: Admit your limitations and ask for support from others to do what you cannot.

Enjoy your life: It is important to keep your connections to friends and family, as well as to the activities that you enjoy.

Be appreciative: Keep in mind why you are caring for your loved one in the first place and appreciate the time that you spend with the person that you care for.

The better you understand lupus and how it affects not only your loved one, but you as well, the better you can take care of your loved one and yourself.

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregiver services in Arlington, VA, call the caring staff at Medical Professionals On Call today. 703-273-8818

Source

http://www.everydayhealth.com/lupus/caring-for-a-loved-one.aspx

http://www.lupusny.org/about-lupus/newsletters/november-december-2005/caring-for-someone-with-lupus

http://www.webmd.com/lupus/community-tv-lupus-11/lupus-family-support

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Michelle DeFilippis

I graduated with a BS degree and had been selling medical equipment to hospitals, clinics and technicians. More recently, a family member was diagnosed with dementia and we, as a family, realized we were not prepared t care for her. We were thrown into that whirlpool of hospital stays, 24/7 live-in care, skilled care, caring for mom ourselves and finally, now daily home care. This was such a stressful time that I started thinking there had to be other people, other families as overwhelmed and unprepared as we were.

Medical Professionals On Call has such a caring, professional staff who are available to step in with whatever level of care necessary for loved ones and to relieve you of that stress.

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