7.1.3: Impact of a Physical Disability on Quality of Life
Support System
Many people with physical disabilities are able to lead independent lives or be fairly independent with additional support. Some may require some assistance with performing ADLs, while others require extensive assistance. Many people with disabilities are able to function just as a person without a physical impairment, while making adjustments for their disability. Some people who have temporary physical impairments may only need assistance for a short period of time while they are recovering. Having a support system can be very beneficial for a person with a physical disability. A support system is any person or group of people who can provide support in the form of emotional or physical support, such as assisting with completing tasks. Support systems can include family, friends, and social supports such as people from work, school, church, or other groups.
Stresses and Coping Skills
Every human being faces stressors in their lives. Stressors are anything that can cause stress, anxiety, frustration, and even anger or depression. They can at times make us feel overwhelmed. Stressors will impact each of us in different ways, depending on our coping skills. Using positive coping skills are helpful when dealing with stressors. For Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides, it is important to help the patient express their feelings and thoughts and to help them use positive coping skills. In Module 5, we discussed unhealthy and healthy coping skills and how to help patients use healthy skills to cope.
In addition to the many stressors people face in their everyday lives, a person with a physical disability may face special stressors due to their individual situation. They may not be able to work and support themselves financially due to their physical disability. They may be reliant on others to provide their care. For example, if they are unable to complete activities of daily living (ADLs), they may require assistance or total care from another person.
There may also be a lack of opportunities for socialization for a person with a physical disability. Socialization means being able to interact with other people. This may be due to physical limitations, such as not being able to engage in physical activities, limitations placed on them due to equipment such as a wheelchair, or not being able to independently get around in the community. It may also be due to feelings of embarrassment. For a person with a temporary disability, they may not be able to drive or get out of bed at this time. This is a change that takes some adjustment. It can also lead to feelings of stress. Physical limitations may also make sexual intimacy more difficult in that a person with a physical disability may need to make adjustments in order to engage in intimacy. Making adaptive changes in order to fulfill sexual intimacy needs can cause a person stress.
For a person who was not born with a physical disability, it often takes time to adjust to the emotional and physical challenges their physical disability now poses. The person may have many different feelings about their situation. They may feel frustrated or even angry that they can’t perform tasks they used to. They may have anxiety about not being able to work and provide for their family while they are recuperating (healing). They may even become depressed and feel hopeless about their future.
For a person who was born with a physical disability, they too may have a variety of emotions about their situation. They may even go through periods of mixed or different emotions, such as become depressed for periods of time, especially during times of high stress. Families of a patient may also have all kinds of emotions as they deal with the physical care of the patient, financial burden, and unanswered questions about the future. It is important for Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides to remember to use good communication skills and spend time listening to their patient and their families’ concerns. If they ever have a concern that person has developed a mental health issue, they should inform their supervisor. A patient may benefit from professional counseling and additional support as they learn to cope with their stressors and life changes.
Not having a strong support system or positive coping skills can negatively impact how a person copes with their physical disability and the stressors they face.Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides can make a positive impact on their patient’s well-being by teaching them to use positive coping skills, listening to their concerns and feelings in an empathetic way, and using good communication skills. It may be helpful for the family of a patient to have someone such as a HHA/PCA to talk to about their worries, frustration, and concerns. If Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides ever feel that the concerns of their patient or family are more than they can handle, or if they feel their patient would benefit from professional counseling, they should speak with their supervisor.
1. Having a strong support system can help a person with a physical disability positively cope with stressors they face and adaptations they need to make in order to be as independent as possible. True or False? ____________
2. People with physical disabilities experience a variety of emotions, including happiness, joy, anger, depression, and frustration. True or False? ____________
3. It is important as a Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide to listen to a patient’s feelings and to help them learn to use positive coping skills. True or False? ____________
- Answer
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1. True
2. True
3. True
FEEDBACK :
1. Having a strong support system, which can include the HHA/PCA, family, friends, and people from the community can help a person with a physical disability cope with physical and emotional stressors within their lives.
2. People with physical disabilities may experience a variety of emotions, which can vary from time to time. HHA/PCAs should be observant of these changes in emotions and provide emotional support to the patient and family. If at any time, the HHA/PCA feels the patient and/or family would benefit from professional counseling, they should speak with their supervisor.
3. It is important for a HHA/PCA to always listen to a patient’s feelings and to help them use positive coping skills to help them better adapt to their situation and stressors.