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Maintaining Emotional Intimacy
When Your Loved One Is Ill
Affection
Emotional intimacy can be maintained through the
simplest of physical gestures. A kiss on the cheek or
forehead, coupled with a warm smile, a back rub,
brushing the patients hair or just saying “I love you.”
In an intimate relationship, both parties have to
maintain a balance between closeness and
separateness. This allows people to maintain their
individuality and a sense of intimacy. The caregiver and
patient can sustain a quality of intimacy similar to
what they had prior to the illness. Having a healthy
respect for the situation “the other finds themselves
in” is crucial to all relationships!
As the caregiver, you have emotional needs that your
loved one cannot always meet due to their illness. You
need to recognize that having your own needs does not
take away from the wonderful relationship you have had
or may still have with your loved one. They are a sign
of your own “humanness.” Caregivers need to maintain a
network of outside support by keeping relationships with
family members and friends who can provide the
acknowledgement, attention and affection that is still
needed and well deserved. Taking care of these emotional
needs will allow you to be focused on your loved one
with a relaxed, positive, loving attitude.
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