Lymphedema Support Systems: How you can help patients

Lymphedema Support Systems: How family and friends can help someone with lymphoedema

Supporting a loved one with lymphedema involves a combination of emotional support, practical assistance, and education about the condition. Here are some ways you can support a loved one with lymphedema:

Feelings: Emotional Support

Acknowledge her/his feelings.
Allow your loved one to express their emotions ( How they feel about the diagnosis).
Listen with compassion.
Find a safe place where you can talk and share feelings.
Share funny moments. Do what both of you like the most and enjoy!
Regularly check in with them about how they are feeling.
Ask them what they need. This can help them feel less isolated and more understood.

Before acting, learn about the condition

Learn About Lymphedema, in order to improve your understanding about what your loved one is going through.
This knowledge can help you provide informed support, acute help and reduce any misconceptions about the condition.
Learn how to manage the condition and what symptoms to look out for.
Get familiar with the treatment methods (Decongestive Compression Therapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, exercise, etc.). So you can help them with the treatment plan they have.
Encourage and accompany (if possible) them to consult with certified lymphedema therapists and GP to tailor a treatment plan according to their needs.
Visit a trained therapist to perform manual lymphatic drainage (MLD). The therapist may also teach both of you how to perform MLD at home.

Help with everyday chores or activities

Help with daily tasks, even if they don´t want or need your help, it makes them feel supported.
Share household chores. This can make them feel alleviated, especially when there are physical burdens due to swelling, pain or discomfort.
Create a list of chores that are difficult to perform due to lymphedema and get extra help if needed.
Prioritize Tasks, identify which tasks are most urgent or important.
Create a to-do list. It will help you organize daily tasks and who is in charge of each task.
Help them when traveling or attending events to ensure comfort.
Help with being the contact person to keep others updated.

Lymphedema support systems: Time management

Encourage regular breaks during tasks to prevent fatigue.
Give relaxation the chance. This can help them manage their energy levels throughout the day.
Give every task a period of time. This helps them focus on one task at a time without feeling rushed.

Encourage healthy habits

Encourage healthy habits, please don´t tell them what to do like orders, just cheer them to start or continue with their healthy habits.
You can try exercising together.
Support them in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which includes proper skin care, regular exercise, and a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Cook together healthy and anti-inflammatory recipes.
Help with monitoring skin in unreachable areas.
In case of infection, help them to treat the area.

Look for emotional/psychological of support

Encourage your loved one to join support groups. This safe environment can provide emotional relief and practical advice from those who understand their situation.
Get in touch with other lymphedema patients. In order to share experiences with others facing similar challenges.
Get psychological support. It will be good for both of you in order to get emotional relief and professional support.

Daily treatment routine: help with…

Elevation of the affected area to help gravity drain extra fluid.
Avoiding pressure on the affected area.
Wearing loose clothing without tight bands or elastic.
Avoiding extreme heat, wind or sun.
Reducing/avoiding alcohol and caffeine intake. They can dilate lymph tissue and cause more swelling.
Giving medicines.
Physical therapy (exercises for lymphedema).
Self-Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Using the pumping device.

What a caregiver should consider

Caregivers with children struggle to take care of a parent too.
Parents may have a hard time accepting help from their adult children.
Caregivers find it hard to balance taking care of a loved one with job responsibilities.
Adult children with cancer may not want to rely on their parents for care.
Caregivers may have health problems themselves, making it physically and emotionally hard to take care of someone else.

Lymphedema support systems: Caregiver self-care

As a caregiver, you should seek support too.
Consider joining support groups for caregivers of individuals with chronic conditions. This can provide you with additional resources and emotional support as you navigate this journey together.
Hire someone to help you with hard house chores.
Ask for extra help when needed.
Take into account your own needs.
Take breaks.

The union of emotional understanding, practical help, education about the condition, and professional support, you can significantly improve your loved one’s quality of life while managing lymphedema, but not die trying.

We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK65853/

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/caregiver-support

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1462388919301887

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959804910007367

https://myjourney.org.au/article/25430

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38837503/