AMPUTEE CARER TRANSITIONS (ACT)
Amputee families and carers need support too
Nobody has asked me how I’m coping.
The LA wants to ensure that No Amputee Need Cope Alone – and as part of this, we recognise the crucial importance that family members and friends play in supporting the rehabilitation and recovery of their amputee loved one.
70% family/friends that we spoke to say that they have received very little/no support, while at the same time coping with financial challenges, challenging/overwhelming emotions and concerns relating to their loved one.
Many of our members attest to the incredible support and care they receive from their family members and friends, acknowledging that family members and friends may not have received support to manage their own changes in life/circumstances. Moving from the role of family member/friend to that of unpaid carer can be very challenging, and, if unsupported, can lead to a decline in health and wellbeing. Family/friends report to us that they feel anxious and overwhelmed, and that they find they lack information regarding the rehabilitation process. Some family/friends struggle to care for their loved one alongside a full-time job or other family commitments. If this sounds like you or someone you know, the LA can offer you support.
We’ve developed a package of support for family/friends of amputees. If you are a family member or friend of an amputee, please contact us to receive:
- Information and guidance about life after limb loss – including information about benefits, home adaptations and additional support from a trained and experienced advisor.
- A one-to-one peer support ‘visit’ (phone call) from a trained volunteer with lived experience of supporting someone living with limb loss.
- Monthly family and friends group support sessions (online)
- Access to LA events, where you can receive informal peer support from other amputee family and friends, as well as amputees themselves
- Information and advice from sector experts via educational sessions (e.g. LA Lunch and Learn, Training to be an Amputee) and one-to-one consultations.
The Limbless Association has supported me well. I have attended an LA Hub locally, which really helped in meeting others with challenges. My husband called up for peer support with the LA which has given him good advice.
The LA has been extremely supportive and helpful in advice given. I also received a Volunteer Visitor (peer support) visit – she was excellent at supporting me!
Although I have received support from the LA, nobody who is treating my husband medically and with his rehabilitation has taken me to one side and asked me how I am. Your support has helped enormously. Just by speaking the unspoken thoughts you can’t say in front of your family, which can sound so selfish and self-pitying, but they need to be said to someone out loud, to relieve the pressure.
