What's needed?

Time
Adequate time to spend with loved one, meet support staff and others involved in care time to relax and recharge.

Information about :

• General features/behaviour of loved one’s illness/condition/ disorder, what might be expected.
• Relevant personal info to enable and support most effective care e.g. best responses in specific circumstances . When someone is legally adult, sharing individual personal info depends on the vulnerable individual’s consent to sharing info – confidentiality can become a major issue when behaviour affects whole family/informal support carers. See page on communication .
• Any medication
  
  • possible side effects
  • any support needed
• Best approaches to management of illness/ condition/ disorder condition
• Best responses to difficult behaviour/ any changes in condition
• Any possibly unhelpful responses
  how to avoid any unhelpful responses
• When to call for professional help
• How to call for professional help
• How to give important info regarding loved one’s condition and any significant changes noted.
  When fragile mental health issues are involved e.g. depression, eating disorders, schizophrenia, paranoia, threats of suicide or violence to self or others, giving this info could be crucial and save lives.