Some Background on caregiving for HIV/AIDS patients

 Having HIV doesn’t mean that you have to stop living a normal life. It is not the end of life, actually with the right people around, right treatment and care, you may live ever much longer.

It is heartbreaking to learn that you tested positive for HIV. Many people lose the value of living, become depressed and even threaten to commit suicide.

The situation was even dire before the advanced knowledge of HIV, this was the time when people were severely affected by stigmatization. The impact of HIV infections was devastating to families as they watched a loved one suffer and die helplessly.

Most people prefer keeping their HIV status a secret, and with time, when they become ill, the burden is left to their families while they could have sought for earlier counseling.

What HIV Positive Persons Need 

People living with HIV/AIDs are normal beings and need care and support from everybody around them. Their immune system can be strengthened by medical treatment, proper nutrition, and exercise.

Just like any other task, caregiving for HIV/AIDs patients can be a challenge, but it ensures that you get the experience of being close to an infected person. You may find out things that may strengthen you and make you realize the value of being healthy.

However, when taking care of people living with AIDs, you do not necessarily have to do everything, it is essential to let them take the lead when possible. They should be allocated some simple tasks and be involved in making some family decisions, this way they feel productive.

While caregiving for HIV/AIDS patients, you also need to be healthy and in good shape.

Caregiving Tips for HIV/AIDS patients 

Get knowledge on the disease

In order to take good care of the victims, getting educated is the first step you have to take.

Learning about HIV/AIDs not only prepares you for what is expected when taking care of your loved ones but also eases your fears that may have developed from the myths on the disease.

You may take courses offered by organizations such as:

Red Cross societies.

HIV/AIDS service organizations.

Youth state health organizations.

The information offered by the above organizations is critical in helping you to take care of infected people around you.

Ensuring they take antiretroviral drugs

People living with HIV/AIDs are vulnerable to diseases of all kinds. The antiretroviral treatment ensures that their immune system is not weak, the drugs are not taken to cure the Aids but they do control the virus.

Depending on the patient, the drugs may have some side effects especially within the first months of usage. As a caregiver, you should be keen to observe these side effects and seek medical attention if they persist.

For the drugs to be effective, you should ensure that the patient takes medicine at the same time every day.

The patients should have a healthy diet

A balanced diet is recommended for the HIV/AIDs patients to ensure they remain healthy and with a body that can fight the virus.

Any issues about a patient’s diet should always be discussed with a doctor for medical advice.

As part of having a healthy diet, alcohol should be a no go zone for HIV/AIDs patients. It weakens the immune system by reducing the effectiveness of the drugs.

Exercises

Being active is one of the important ways of living healthy. As a caregiver, you should ensure that the patient gets some time to engage in some activities that will make their body active.

Make the patient feel loved and cared for

There is no good place as home. It would help if you always looked for ways in which you can make them feel cared for.

Letting the patients fell loved is simple but one of the best tips for taking care of the victims. For instance, you can design the toilet and bathroom in a way that they will not strain when using.

You should understand that some people are shy to ask and therefore ensuring that everything they may need is in place is a good gesture.

Protect against germs

Germs can be very dangerous especially to persons infected with AIDS. Always ensure that everything they use is clean.

You should be up to date with immunizations. Maintaining proper hygiene will ensure that the patient is not exposed to diseases. Use gloves when you are likely to come into contact with body fluids, wash your hands regularly and do not share sharp objects and toothbrushes.

General Wellness 

This is from their meals to their living in general.

Always ensure that the patients take plenty of fruits and water; it helps in dehydration and rebuilding of the skin.

Even if the patient is weak at full blow stage, it is essential to ensure that they move around. As a caregiver, you are required to shift them around. Staying in one position for a long time can cause sores.

You can learn some simple exercises that would help them to stretch their body parts and also help in circulation.

Help in managing their affairs

When you are caregiving for HIV/AIDS patients, it is important to understand their every activity. For instance, what medication they were taking and the details about their dosage, what are the side effects and when they should you call a doctor.

Always drive them whenever they have appointments with a doctor and be attentive to what the doctor says about the patient.

You should take every responsibility and offer essential support throughout the period.

Don’t forget about yourself

Many people tend to forget about themselves whenever they have someone who depends on them. This may be dangerous as it shuts your life almost completely.

You should ensure that you get enough rest, eat a balanced diet and talk to people who may have information that would help you in executing your difficult task.

People living with HIV/AIDs are part of us and should be treated with love and care.

 

 

 

 

 

Contributor: admin