Pushin' On: UAB Spinal Cord Injury Model System Digital Newsletter Volume 37 | Number 2 | Page 2

HEALTHY LIVING Caregiving after SCI: Part 2 - Challenges for Couples Caregiving is an expression of love and commitment. It is difficult under the best of conditions, and it can greatly impact relationships. The same is true for couples after spinal cord injury (SCI). • Caregiving is often most demanding during the early period after injury. • Caregiving demands often lessens over time as people with SCI regain strength, stamina, and independent living skills. This is the second of a 2-part feature on caregiving challenges after SCI. Part 1 is published in the last issue of Pushin’ On. It aims to help caregivers find a balance between self-care and caring for their loved one. This part offers tips to tackle some of the most common relationship challenges after injury. Challenge 1: Teamwork You are a team. Relationships take a commitment from couples to work together. Each partner should avoid taking on too many responsibilities as well as taking on too little. • Each partner should contribute • to daily responsibilities or duties. This includes parenting, household chores, money management, and other duties. Support and appreciate each other. Show each other you care with a simple and sincere “thank you” and other kind acts through words and deeds to show appreciation. Challenge 2: Staying healthy Each partner needs to practice good healthy habits. The caregiver guide was published in the last issue. Good health for people with SCI is slightly different. They need to have a primary care provider for the same health care everyone needs. Plus, they have to manage secondary medical complications. The SCI Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center offers resources to help guide and educate in the management of those issues. Here are resources on managing areas of health that couples report as having the most impact on a relationship. • Bowel Function After SCI • Skin Care and Pressure Sores in SCI • Pain after SCI • Bladder Management Options Following SCI • Sexuality & Sexual Functioning After SCI Challenge 3: Staying active It is not healthy for caregivers to only provide care and not do other things. Likewise, it is not healthy for people with SCI to sit home and do little or nothing. It is healthy to do things as a couple and things individually. This includes work, volunteering, or school along with social activities with friends and family. Challenge 4: Counseling Most all couples can benefit from counseling. It can help you process your thoughts and feelings along with helping you cope with, and adapt to, challenges of finding a new normal after SCI. This includes helping each person adjust to individual issues and issues as a couple. Here are some common areas that may be a focus during counseling. Compartmentalizing Couples who keep the dual roles Participate in UAB Research Low Carb/ High Protein Diet to Improve Metabolic Health in Individuals with SCI This study aims to determine the effects of an 8-week high-protein low-carbohydrate diet on metabolic health and gut function. Criteria to Participate • Have a SCI (tetraplegia or paraplegia) • Live in central Alabama and visit UAB 3 times • Willing to undergo lab tests (blood glucose, insulin and lipid levels, gut function, and body imaging) • Complete activity and food intake questionnaires Participants will earn between $250 and $450 for completing the study. Call 205-500-8180 or 205-996- 6896 or email [email protected] for information. 2 uab.edu/sci Scale Up Project Evaluating Responsiveness to Home Exercise And Lifestyle Tele-Health (SUPER-HEALTH) This study evaluates the effects of an exercise program on improving pain, fatigue, physical activity, and physical function. The program is delivered through a tablet app in the convenience of the home using exercise videos. Criteria to Participate • Ages 18-64 • Mobility Impairment/Disability • WiFi Internet access in Home Participants receive a tablet and Fitbit to use during study and are eligible to keep all equipment at the completion of last study visit. Visit superhealthstudy.org, call (205) 403- 5509, or email [email protected].