Questions to Ask When Caregivers Consider Relocating

Caregivers of familial amyloid polyneuropathy patients may find themselves in a tough situation when their jobs require them to move. Balancing a career with caregiving is a full-time job in and of itself. In cases like these, a timeshare caregiving situation with two or more caregivers is ideal.

Following are some options for caregivers facing a move:

When caregivers move

My wife was recently offered a promotion that required a move to South Florida. While the promotion and move were both very exciting for us, they also created uncertainty.

I was already apprehensive about leaving the city I’ve called home since childhood. A potential move also left us wondering how our roles as caregivers for my mother-in-law would change.

At first, we decided not to tell my mother-in-law about the possible move until we finally made our decision. She would not want to make the move with us and would be even more upset if we moved farther away from her. Despite the presence of numerous relatives who split caregiving duties with us, our potential life change left us reflecting on the importance of our presence to my mother-in-law.

Bringing your loved one with you

Bringing your loved one with you may be a stressful option for those caring for an individual with peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Moving may present situations that irritate limbs with nerve damage. When faced with this situation, patients need to be away from cluttered areas with constant foot traffic.

Moving may also present a great deal of emotional strain for patients. Patients may feel the weight of leaving familiar surroundings. They also may not be comfortable with where they might move. This is important for caregivers moving to areas with extreme hot or cold temperatures to consider. Finally, patients may feel as though they are being a burden to their caregivers. In this situation, caregivers need to reassure their patients that this is not the case.

Hiring live-in assistance

Hiring live-in caregivers is another option for caregivers faced with a possible move to consider. While patients may receive professional-level care, they also may face an added level of stress from being away from their loved ones. Patients without nearby family may also feel as though they are being abandoned.

Having nearby family members assume the caregiver role

Patients with the privilege of having immediate family nearby may already be familiar with having those relatives as caregivers. This situation might entail a delegation of duties for caregivers looking to move. Still, having immediate family take over caregiving responsibilities may ensure that neuropathy patients are still receiving proper care.

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Note: FAP News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of FAP News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to familial amyloid polyneuropathy.