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Once someone has been diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), particularly if vision loss is involved, the issue of support becomes key.
Since AMD is a chronic condition, many support-givers may ask themselves: "How do I support my loved one over the long haul in a way that works for us both?"
Following are some brief tips that may help you support your loved one in a caring—and sustainable—way.
Support-giver dos and don'ts
- Don't wait to be asked for help; volunteer and be specific. Asking for help is hard for many people.
- Do be respectful. Support-giving often involves role-reversal. Resist the temptation to "talk down."
- Do be a good listener. Allow your loved one simply to vent now and then. Don't feel as if you always have to "fix it."
- Don't let guilt come between you and your loved one-either as the "guilty" party or as the party laying on the guilt.
- Do learn your limits to avoid overstepping them. Know when to take a break, ask for help, or tap into community resources.
Where to turn for additional help
Just because you're supporting your loved one doesn't mean you have to go it alone. Ask your local community center, American Red Cross chapter, or Chamber of Commerce about transportation and eldercare services.
Your company's employee assistance program may have adult-care specialists who can arrange counseling if needed, assist with insurance questions, and steer you to resources in your area.
AMD Alliance International (www.amdalliance.org) is one of many valuable resources for people with vision concerns. Their "Living With Vision Loss, Handbook for Caregivers" can help you help your loved one adapt to any lifestyle changes brought about by AMD.
Click here for additional helpful links.
Finally—if you haven't already—enroll in mySight™, the FREE information-and-support program just for Visudyne patients and their loved ones.
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Related pages on this site:
Introducing the Visudyne mySight Program
Living with AMD
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