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Caregiver’s Role

 

Dr. Scott Tintle, Chief of Hand Surgery, talks about the characteristics of a good hand/arm transplant candidate.

 
 

Caregiver’s Role in Decision Making

Caregivers are an important part of the treatment decision-making process.

  • Caregivers are nonprofessional persons (e.g., spouse, parent, close friend, or other family member) who assist a hand/arm transplant recipient in tasks of daily living such as toileting, eating, dressing, cooking, and transportation, as well as medical tasks associated with rehabilitation.¹

  • Being mindful of a caregiver’s quality of life and well-being is an important consideration when making a decision about whether to pursue hand/arm transplantation.¹

  • Learn about the importance of social support for those pursuing hand/arm transplantation.

Caregiver’s Responsibilities

After a hand/arm transplant, caregivers will have new responsibilities such as:¹

  • Providing emotional and social support during hospital visits

  • Helping to manage the complex regimen of medicines

  • Performing wound care

  • Providing hand therapy at home

  • Monitoring the health of the transplanted hand and/or upper limb