How to Adjust and Care for a Family Member After a Devastating Accident Occurs - s post

Accidents can occur no matter what kind of situation you are in. If a family member has been involved in an accident, this can impact your lifestyle. You’ll find you need to spend more time taking care of them, help them get to doctors’ appointments, and other issues that create a change in your schedule and plans. While this change is difficult to deal with, it’s important to remember that despite them being involved in an accident, they are still here with you. Keeping that positive attitude in mind, here are a few ways to adjust your lifestyle while making the most of your time together.

Create A New Routine

You will have to adjust your current routine to something that will work for you and the family member you are caring for. This may include taking them to the doctor’s office for a check-up, dealing with physical therapy, and even adjusting how you feed and care for them. Be ready to move furniture around, and change your schedule to something that does not stress you out, while still allowing them to have the care they need. While you may have enjoyed your old routine, it is best to have one that will serve both of you and make the best use of your time.

Make Time for Yourself

When you find yourself as a full time caregiver for a family member, it’s helpful to understand the emotions you are going through. Schedule time for yourself when your family member is away or asleep to do things for you.

This can range from:

·       Catching a power nap

·       Reading a book

·       Talking with a friend

·       Doing something relaxing such as a bath or exercise

Although your family member needs help after their accident, make sure you are recharging your batteries. This allows you to feel your best, and make the most of your time. You likely took time for yourself before your family member needed help, so make sure you continue to do so.  If you believe that you are having problems coping with this or feel a lot of guilt, speak to a doctor about possible alternatives, and what their suggestions would be for your situation. Sometimes speaking to a counselor and being able to unload the thoughts that prey upon your mind can be a relief.

Consider Having Respite Care

Respite care involves someone else coming over and giving you a break, while they take care of your family member. This could be someone else in your family network, a CAN who does home visits, or another qualified professional. Have them assist you in handling your family member so you can rest assured they are getting the care they need, even when you cannot physically provide it for them. Respite care is ideal when you are sick, overburdened, or feel yourself burning out. If you believe respite care is too costly or not the best option, then consider outsourcing other household tasks. This could range from grocery delivery, having someone come in to clean the house, or getting another family member to run out and pick up items you need from the store. Doing this keeps you from being pulled in too many directions, which is not healthy.

Decide If Further Medical Care Is Needed

If your family member was involved in an accident where care is beyond what you can offer, consider what other options there are. For example, if they injured themselves at work and it resulted in them suffering from a brain injury, find out what other options there are. If they had a successful lawsuit and were awarded money for their pain and suffering, you could look at fulltime in-home medical care. Or, take note of what nursing homes or other options are available for them, and consider using one of these options.  While this may not be your first choice, it is one that will allow you more time, with the comfort of knowing your family member is well cared for.

No matter what type of accident happened to your family member, your life is changed forever. Create a new routine that will benefit you both, but remember to make time for yourself so you can relax and not burn out. Consider respite care help. If that is not an option and the accident was devastating for your family member, see about having full time care. This will lighten your load and give you peace of mind they are taken care of properly.

What to Be Aware of When Adding to Your Family Through Adoption - s post

Many families have another child through adoption. Some cannot physically have another child while others do not have a partner but would like to create or expand their family. Some feel a calling to adopt, and bring in a child that needs a home. Whatever your situation is, here are some things to be aware of when you bring a child into your heart and home through adoption.

Regardless of How You Adopt, Speak with a Professional

Some folks go through an adoption agency. Others seek the opportunity to adopt privately. This involves working directly with the birthparents. No matter what route you seek, having an adoption specialist ensures that you have proper representation should a problem arise. Issues range from:

·       Birth parents changing their mind

·       Adoptions falling through

·       For families that are adopting internationally, problems occur when a country decides to close off adoption to another country, as the couple or individual is working to gain custody of their child-to-be

If you are considering adopting a child, make a point to talk with a lawyer who is experienced in adoption. Your lawyer will help you navigate through the legal process, let you know when to expect delays, and make sure all lose ends are tied up as you welcome a new family member into your home.

Private Adoptions can be Complicated, Regardless of Who You Are Adopting From

Some people think if they are adopting from family members or working closely with a person looking to give their child up for adoption, they don’t need a private adoption attorney. Even if you personally know the individual you are adopting from, it’s best to have your own lawyer involved. They will offer you advice on how to proceed with the adoption, and let you know information such as:

·       The rights of the birth parents

·       If there is a period where the birth parents can reclaim their child

·       The process for changing your child’s name to match yours

Make sure you are protecting yourself and your family’s best interests, regardless of who you work with or how nice they are. Legal situations such as these sometimes bring out the worst in people, as they seek to dominate a legal arrangement. Having your lawyer serve as a third party will keep you from dealing with unnecessary pressure, or being in a situation where things get too heated.

Consider Your Child’s Last Name

Last names are important for individuals of all ages. From women getting married taking their partners name, to picking out a name for new children, a name says a lot about who you are. If you wish to change your child’s name, consider these factors:

·       If you are changing the first, middle, and last name, or all three

·       Your child’s culture and how they can identify with that later

Regardless of who is changing their name and for what reason, there is still a legal process to follow. It involves filling out paperwork and paying a court fee. Individuals must run their name in the newspaper for a specific amount of time. After they have done so, along with the court date they would like their name changed on, and attend a hearing they are usually granted the new name.

If You Are Adopting Outside Your Native Country

Adopting outside of your native country is a scary and confusing process for many parents. They undergo long wait periods and must go through a process of traveling overseas to meet and adopt the child they’re waiting for. Fortunately, there are specialists who are skilled in foreign adoptions aid through completing paperwork and advising their clients on possible changes and challenges that are possible during their adoption journey. Don’t let the thought of leaving the country prevent you from connecting with your newest family member. Learn everything you can about where you are traveling to, and see how your attorney can help you navigate the process.

No matter how you are bringing a new child into your life through adoption, having legal aid that understands the process is a benefit. You can ask questions about how to change your child’s name and find out how the laws differ in other countries. Even if you have questions after the adoption, it is important that you continue to learn what steps to take to make settling in easy for you and your new child. If you take the time to educate yourself about the adoption process, you can make the transition for you and your new family as comfortable as possible.