Psychology

In addition to physical rehabilitation the center also offers psychological assessments for patients and their families.

Role for the Family in the Rehabilitation Process

The family has an important role in the overall rehabilitation process. Although it doesn’t merit a definite and exclusive section, it forms a direct or indirect part and has more or less importance in the various layers to be restored in the affected person; as such, it’s important to foster the effectiveness of the family in its rehabilitative work.

This family function is a very heavy responsibility to bear, because its load increases depending on the characteristics and seriousness of the mental disorder of the affected family member, and sometimes reaches unsustainable situations.

From the first signs of the illness, the family responds disconcertedly, such that in many occasions and in these early stages, the family confuses a situation of state of alertness with a common fact of no importance. The situation worsens and people begin to distress, but it is difficult to channel this disorientation towards seeking psychological assistance; it is not within the options provided for or expected, and this scenario generally persists until reaching, almost always, very destabilized situations that involve urgent admission to psychological care.

This is where family members intervene, who become caretakers of those patients, offering moral support and accepting mental illness as any other and valuing the patient as a person with the ability to contribute the values that they possess to society.

This is where the difficulty of the caretaker’s path begins, for which they are not at all prepared. They need help from the very first moment, especially at a time when they are experiencing a mourning that is very difficult to accept.

The Potential Effects of a Disability in the Family

Members of a family frequently go through the same period of mourning as the patient does when a role is lost. Severe injuries, chronic illness or a disability can imply a change of roles for family members. For example, a housemaker may have to go back to work and become the breadwinner as a result of her husband’s disability; a son or daughter may have to adjust his or her work schedule in order to help care for their elderly parents. These changes can cause stress and conflict in the family. There can also be economic problems due to medical expenses or unemployment, a situation which adds more stress to the family. Likewise, a change in life plans, issues related to childcare and social reinsertion can cause new problems for patients and their families.

The patient and his/her family can help to reduce some of the adverse effects of the disability if they work together with the psychological rehabilitation team. This can be achieved by doing the following:

• Identifying the adverse effects that the disability causes within the family.
• Working together to find realistic solutions.
• Participating in family education and counseling.
• Planning the hospital discharge and reintegration into society.

Why is family support important?

A family’s support and acceptance can help the patient to recover self-esteem and improve their self-image after a disability. Frequent positive and reaffirming attitudes from loved ones can help the patient work to recover. The participation, flexibility and open communication of family members can overcome many barriers associated with disability. Family members who inspire hope can help the patient to adapt and trust more in their own abilities.

What is the impact of a family member upon the person receiving care?

While the motivation to look after loved ones is generally very strong, the physical and emotional burden that the caretaker carries is sometimes burdensome. First, one should think about how much care the family is expected to give once the patient leaves the rehabilitation center.

As a result, caretakers experience a unique stress because they don’t feel qualified to take on this role.

Oftentimes, they feel isolated, anxious and depressed; nevertheless, it is important that they receive counseling for their emotional stability, and to be able to properly assume their role.

What can be done to help caretakers?

As with patients, caretakers need to be educated on how to face the demands of a rehabilitation plan that is established for the patient; as a matter of fact, they should be included in developing this plan.

In particular, they should learn about:

• The cause and effect of the injury or illness.
• Any possible complications of the injury or illness and information on how to recognize and prevent them.
• Medicine, how to administer it, side effects and therapeutic actions.
• Necessary exercises and techniques for task-learning.
• The social and emotional work of a person during rehabilitation.
• How a person reinserts himself or herself into society after rehabilitation.

Without this preparation, it is possible that the caretakers overprotects the ill family member and, without realizing it, impedes their recovery process.

Likewise, caretakers should find time to dedicate to themselves, far from the role that they have when providing care. This is perhaps the most important strategy that caretaker’s have for overcoming the situation, even if the it’s the least available one.

The caretaker’s role in the successful rehabilitation of general psychological problems should not be underestimated. As caretakers gain confidence, they and their loved ones should feel that the care that they provide is less stressful and more gratifying. That is why it is important to constantly educate oneself and take advantage of the opportunities that the community offers.

How to support a patient in his or her psychological process at The JT Children Foundation.

For a good psychological process the parents of the family should meet the following requirements:

• Provide all intake paperwork.
• Proceed to the medical evaluation to then be referred to the psychology department.
• Evaluation prior to treatment, in order to be correctly diagnosed.
• Continuous assistance to psychology appointments: Patients and parents.
• Tasks for home, in order to consolidate learning and put the techniques and tools into practice outside of the clinic.
• Assistance to the monthly talks for prevention and learning.
• Collaboration in activities that are done at the Foundation, as it is a not-for-profit organization.