As a family
member of a transplant patient, you will have a significant role to play in
taking care of the recovery and health of the patient. Most of the transplant
centres need the family members for helping the patient through the entire
transplant process. You may have to gather information, speak to doctors,
provide necessary care and support to your loved one.
If you have
taken up this role newly, it can be quite overwhelming to come across a world
full of test results, medical terminologies, and treatment choices. Several
transplant centres also take classes where family members and caregivers are
taught about this role. The needs of each organ transplant patient are
different and every loved one has to have a clear understanding of the
expectations the patient has from the procedure.
Advocating the Patient
As a family
member, you will have to advocate the patient. Firstly, you need to be an
active supporter. Your responsibilities keep changing through the course of the
procedure, but your advocacy and support will be demanded throughout in three
major areas:
- Medical – You will have to accumulate information, care for the patient, and talk to doctors as and when necessary.
- Financial – You have to speak to insurance companies for managing the costs as well as family expenses.
- Social and emotional – You will have to actively support the patient.
Responsibilities
There are
countless responsibilities that the family has to take on in order to care for
the patient. It can involve menial jobs as well, starting from:
- Buying groceries
- Cleaning the house and preparing meals
- Helping to transfer the patient in and out of the bed
- Assisting feeding tubes, injections, physical therapy, and other medical processes
- Ordering medications
- Discussing patient’s needs and care plan with the care managers and doctor
- Handling a crisis situation
The
responsibilities are controllable. But when the demands become extensive, it
could become a challenge.
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