Call for medical help when:

• A convulsive seizure last more than five minutes
• The person does not resume breathing after the seizure. Give mouth to mouth resuscitation.
• The person has one seizure after another.
• The person is injured.
• The person requests it.
• There is no medical I.D. for epilepsy and the person is not known to have epilepsy.

Care Instructions

For a Convulsive Seizure (generalized tonic-clonic, grand mal) Symptoms: The person will lose consciousness, may fall, stiffen, and make jerking movements. Difficulty breathing may cause the person to turn pale or blueish. The person may drool or become incontinent. Care: - Cushion head. - Remove glasses and loosen any tight neckware. - Turn person on side and keep airway clear. - Track Time. DO NOT: - Put anything in mouth. - Panic. - Give oral medications during seizure. - Restrain. Aftercare: Do reassure the person. Allow to rest if necessary. Stay with the person until he or she is fully awake and reoriented.

For a non-Convulsive seizure (complex partial) Symptoms: Blank staring, aimlessness, chewing motions or lip smacking; often mistaken for drunkenness, drug abuse or mental illness, unable to interact. Care: - Do not restrain. - Stay calm and track time. - Redirect from hazards or remove hazards. - Do not agitate the person (speak calmly and don't grab) Aftercare: Do stay with the person until recovered. Reassure and reorient. don't offer food or drink until the person is fully conscious. Allow to rest if necessary.

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Caregiving 101, by: Kris Hansen

Being a caregiver of a husband and daughter with seizures, I find myself feeling burnout sometimes.  I found this resource on the internet at www.caregiving101.org with some ideas on how to prevent “Caregiving Burnout”.

1. Choose to take charge of your life, and don’t let your loved one’s illness or disability always take center stage.
2. Remember to be good to yourself.  Love, honor and value yourself.  You’re doing a very hard job, and you deserve some quality time, just for you.
3. Watch out for signs of depression, and don’t delay in getting professional help when you need it.
4. When people offer to help, accept the offer and suggest specific things that they can do.
5. Educate yourself about your loved one’s condition.  Information is empowering.
6. There’s a difference between caring and doing.  Be open to technologies and ideas that promote your loved one’s independence.
7. Trust your instincts.  Most of the time they’ll lead you in the right direction.
8. Grieve for your losses, and then allow yourself to dream new dreams.
9. Stand up for your rights as a caregiver and a citizen.
10. Seek support from other caregivers.  There is great strength in knowing you are not alone.