Nicole R. is from California, and was one of forty finalists chosen out of the over 1,000 entries to our “What Advice Would You Give to a Fellow Caregiver?” Contest. You can find our grand prize and runner up winners here.
What advice would you give a fellow caregiver?
I am a caregiver of a happy handsome nine-year-old boy with Fragile X syndrome.
My best advice would be to really take a moment before starting your care to put yourself in the patient’s shoes: how they must be feeling and do your best to make them feel safe, comfortable, happy and capable. I always talk to him and ask him questions about how he is feeling, his day and any other topics I feel would brighten his day! I encourage him and make sure he is comfortable. When I assist him with tasks such as bathing or toilet training, I always explain to him what I am doing and why. It’s very important because not only does it bring him comfort to know what I am doing it also teaches him how to do the task I am doing, and he knows why it is important. My last visit with him he surprised me by doing a task I have been trying to do with him.
I took the time to understand his condition and why he behaves certain ways and what to do to help him. Take the time to get to know your patient and enjoy your job!
Click here to return to the contest home page and read more advice.
Finalists were selected by the Marketing Team at Shield HealthCare. Those finalists were submitted to a panel of independent judges who picked three grand prize winners and five runners up. The judges included: Sandra Mitchell, Award-winning KCAL 9 news anchor and breast cancer survivor, and the Landers family: actor and comedian David Landers (“Laverne & Shirley”) who is living with MS, his wife Kathy and his daughter Natalie (“The Middle”). Click here to learn more.
