How to cope with your sick spouse

There are certain things in life we cannot control like sickness and death among other things. If you’re married, this is where ‘in health and in sickness comes in hand. Easier said than done, it is naïve to think that life will always be a bed of roses. Should an unfortunate incident such as an illness occur, how will you deal with it?

Should you be in that situation, there are coping mechanisms you need to arm yourself with. For those who are yet to be affected, it is wise to know what to do should you or your spouse suffer from a serious ailment in future.

Below are a few ways to cope with a sick spouse:

When a spouse is sick, the worst thing one can do is act like it doesn’t exist.  This is not the time to be in denial. You must acknowledge the pain he/she is in and the fear that one has when they’re ill. Learn about it and you will be in a better position to be empathetic. Stay close and offer encouragement.

When your spouse is sick, you need to be around them so that they can feel cared for and loved by being present no matter how long it will take for them to recover! Be in it together and do not at any point show signs of frustration. However, it’s natural when finances become a challenge and you have to be strong and look for solutions as a couple to deal with it.

When your spouse is unwell, you need to take charge and ensure everything is in place. This includes taking care of the kids, ensuring bills are paid and keeping the house in order. If you have to step in and get a job to support him and the family, do so without any complaints. Do not give your spouse any reason to worry because their condition may worsen out of concern and stress.

We all fall sick at one point whether it is serious or not. Treat your partner as you would like to be treated if you were unwell. Help them get through it.

When one of you is sick the other person needs to be strong for the ailing spouse, the kids and themselves. If you have to, take some time out to breath, think and recharge. This will help you to manage your mental well-being so as to avoid stress and in some cases depression.

It is understandable that when your spouse is sick they can become grumpy, moody and tired which result in temperament. Annoying as it may get, give him/her a break because at this point they are not in their normal self. Put yourself in their shoes and be patient. We all know patience is a virtue.

This is important especially to men! When your spouse is sick there is no shame in asking for help from family, friend’s or even relatives. They come in handy especially when looking after the children, doing house chores and taking care of other responsibilities.

At times the situation can become too difficult to deal with alone. This happens specifically when taking care of a spouse suffering from a chronic disease. If you must, go for counseling to help you cope. Do not go through it alone.