| Taking care of a quadriplegic parent or other family | | | | 4. Put your arms under the patient's armpits |
| member at home can be physically and emotionally | | | | 5. Lift the patient up and toward you, and turn/swivel |
| challenging. Quadriplegia, sometimes called tetraplegia, | | | | him in the direction of the wheelchair |
| is paralysis of both legs and both arms. Quadriplegia | | | | 6. Gently lower him into the wheelchair and make sure |
| and paraplegia are most often caused by spinal cord | | | | his head and neck are supported. |
| injuries but can also be caused by nerve diseases | | | | Having neck and leg braces would be a good idea. |
| such as multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral | | | | While I am not a professional caregiver, this is the |
| sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Many individuals may | | | | technique my sister and I used for our mother who |
| find it difficult to handle this type of physical disability. | | | | was quadriplegic for a number of years from Multiple |
| But, for those who want to attempt it, there are a | | | | Sclerosis. But, please check with your doctor before |
| couple of things to keep in mind. | | | | administering any type of care. I found it very |
| On the Physical Side: | | | | interesting when researching quadriplegia and care |
| The physical aspect of caring for a quadriplegic | | | | giving that there isn't any information on how-tos for |
| individual is the obvious. The patient must be lifted and | | | | certain necessary duties as a caregiver--at least none |
| rolled over so he is not lying on the same body parts | | | | that I could find. |
| for too long a period. The importance of this is to | | | | If you are taking care of someone with paraplegia or |
| prevent bedsores, or at least keep them to a minimum. | | | | quadriplegia you must have the patient under the care |
| These sores, if not treated properly, can become | | | | of a qualified specialist. This specialist will certainly be |
| ulcerated and dangerous. And, he must be lifted and | | | | able to provide you with any needed information on |
| rolled over to bathe, and sat up to eat. Be sure you | | | | care giving. |
| have a hospital bed for the patient; it will make your life | | | | On the Emotional Side: |
| a little easier and his a little more comfortable. | | | | The emotional aspect of being the caregiver for a |
| Along with this, the patient will periodically need to be | | | | quadriplegic family member can be overwhelming and |
| lifted into a wheelchair to change the bed or for other | | | | much more difficult than the physical aspect. To watch |
| occasions that may arise. For a male caregiver this | | | | a loved one in this condition is heartbreaking and at the |
| may not be as difficult as it will be for a female | | | | same time you need to be both physically and |
| caregiver. A technique to use is: | | | | emotionally strong to handle it. It would be a good idea |
| 1. Make sure the wheelchair is right next to you with | | | | to join a support group of others who are in your |
| enough clearance to swing the patient into it, and make | | | | situation. It's always beneficial to learn from those with |
| sure the wheels are locked | | | | more experience and coping techniques. Along with |
| 2. Sit the patient up and facing you with his legs over | | | | this, it may come to the point where you cannot give |
| the bed | | | | the patient the care needed; the patient may worsen |
| 3. Put your knees on the outsides (toward the front) of | | | | and be unable to eat and/or have difficulty breathing. |
| the patient's knees | | | | At this point, a professional team will be needed. |