When your spouse or partner has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, life is unpredictable and full of emotional and physical challenges. It’s no secret that this terrible disease has a devastating effect on the patient, but also on the people who love them most. Caring for a spouse with ALS can be all-consuming, especially as your loved one’s condition worsens. Though it may feel very difficult to think about the future, it is so important to consider the care options that are available to you. The good news is that you don’t have to do this alone. A long-term care plan can include ALS nursing care that will allow your partner to remain at home and live a happier, more comfortable life, and it can free you up to worry less, so you can focus on what really matters: loving and supporting your spouse.
Practically speaking, in what ways could a care plan including ALS nursing care help your family in this challenging time? There are many ways that a caring, trained professional can offer support both physically and emotionally. When you are caring for an ill loved one and also trying to juggle a job, kids, or other demands, regular chores can easily fall by the wayside. One simple way that a caregiver can bring some ease back into your life is by taking care of errands such as meal planning, grocery shopping, running errands, and housecleaning. All of these tasks can be done just as well by someone else, so let them shoulder some of the load.
A good caregiver will have the compassion, training, and skillset to serve your spouse in other ways as well. By working closely with the family and the health care team, they can create a personalized ALS care plan that will help the patient maintain their dignity, independence, and sense of well-being. With each new stage of the disease, your caregiver will adapt the plan to keep your partner as comfortable and safe as possible. Part of the home care plan will include creating any necessary diet and environmental modifications, collaborating with the medical team, doing medication reminders, and helping the patient with everyday tasks such as bathing, grooming, eating, dressing, and transportation. Just as important is the personal connection that the caregiver will have with your loved one. The caregiver will learn how best to communicate with your spouse, even if speaking is not possible, and they will be there to provide conversation and social stimulation even when you can’t be. Because ALS nursing care plans prioritize the mental and emotional well being of every patient, they include trips to visit with friends and family, games, walks, and social events.
ALS nursing care is a great option to support your entire family as you face the struggles of caring for someone with ALS. Having the peace of mind that your spouse is well cared for, even when you can’t be with them, is something everyone deserves to feel. There is absolutely no shame in asking for help. ALS nursing care can actually free you up emotionally to be stronger and more present with your partner as you approach the end. Don’t put off this important decision. It can make all the difference.