A spinal cord injury is a life-changing event that profoundly impacts not only the person injured but also their family. As a family member, you may have taken on the vital role of a caregiver, supporting your loved one through this challenging journey. The care you provide plays a key role in their recovery, helping them regain independence and rebuild their life.
Caring for someone with a spinal cord injury can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. With the right tools, knowledge, and support, you can help your loved one thrive while finding balance in your own life.
This blog post offers some tips to help you navigate caregiving and support your loved one’s recovery, from our friends at Coloplast Canada.
Here are some tips to help you care for your loved one with a spinal cord injury:
1. Educate yourself about spinal cord injury
Understanding your loved one’s injury is one of the most important steps you can take. Talk to their healthcare team about the level and extent of the injury, as well as how it affects their medical needs, daily function, and long-term outlook.
The more you learn, the better equipped you’ll be to understand what they’re going through and to tailor your care to their needs.
Click here to explore Spinal Cord Injury Ontario’s resources and connect with local support services.
2. Take care of yourself
Caring for your loved one is important, but prioritizing your own health is just as essential.1 To provide the best care for your loved one, you need to take care of yourself first—ensuring you
have the physical, mental, and emotional energy to support your loved one without feeling overwhelmed or exhausted.
Consider these self-care strategies:
- Take regular breaks and ask for help: Consider hiring personal care assistants, and don’t hesitate to ask family and friends for help with caregiving.1
- Stay active: Exercise in any way that suits you. Physical activity, whether it’s a daily walk, yoga, or a fitness class, can reduce stress and boost resilience.1
- Consider counselling: Talk to a professional who can provide emotional support and teach coping strategies. Counselling offers a safe space to process your feelings and stay balanced.3
3. Help your loved one establish a daily routine
Establishing a daily routine is essential for fostering independence and maintaining health after a spinal cord injury. Here are some ways you can support your loved one:
- Grooming and dressing: Arrange grooming items and clothing within easy reach. Use adaptive tools like long-handled brushes and zipper pulls to make tasks simpler. Encourage a consistent routine and offer assistance as needed.
Bladder management: Your loved one may need assistance with bladder control and need to integrate intermittent catheterization into their bladder routine. Choosing an intermittent catheter that fits you and your loved one’s lifestyle may help with their overall confidence and comfort. SpeediCath® compact catheters are designed to be discreet, so catheterization doesn’t have to get in the way of your lives. They are also pre-lubricated and ready to use right out of the packaging, so there is no extra step of lubrication required. SpeediCath® compact catheters are available in both male and female, and are available to sample for free!
- Bowel management: Spinal cord injuries often affect bowel control, making a well-planned bowel management program essential.5 Key elements for a successful bowel management program include regular timing, a high-fibre diet, plenty of water, and physical activity. Encourage healthy eating, staying active, and regular discussions with their doctor to adjust the program.7
4. Keep on top of skin health
People with spinal cord injuries can be more prone to pressure injuries due to lack of movement and/or sensation.8 They need to be frequently checked, and your assistance is invaluable to check areas not easily visible to your loved one. Special attention should be paid to the areas over a bony prominence where pressure ulcers often form.8 Look for reddened areas that, when pressed, do not turn white, and for blisters, sores, or craters.8
In addition, you may want to explore preventative products that are designed to reduce pressure, such as pressure-reducing pillows, foam padding, pressure-reducing mattresses, and more.
For more resources on skin health visit Cortree’s resources here or visit the wound education of Coloplast’s website. Always consult a healthcare professional with any questions or concerns related to pressure injuries.
Final thoughts: embracing the journey together
Life with a spinal cord injury can bring significant changes to both your loved one’s life and yours as their caregiver. However, with your support, they can recover, regain independence, and lead a fulfilling and healthy life.
As you navigate this journey together, remember to care for yourself, offer the support you can, and seek help whenever you need it.
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