Moving out of home is very exciting and when you decide to move out of home you often start to prepare things like your finances and your furniture, but if you have a bleeding disorder, you might need to start thinking about other things too. This can include things such as creating a schedule for your treatment or medication. And how close the Haemophilia Treatment Centre is to your new house, work, university or TAFE? How you might get there if you don’t have a car (is there public transport nearby?).
- When you start to think about moving out, have a conversation with your parents about any concerns you may have.
- Talk to your parents and/or Haemophilia Team about developing a health plan. This could include a schedule involving knowing where and how you should store your factor.
- Practice being independent while you’re still living at home. This could include doing your own laundry, ordering your own medications and treatment or making your own medical appointments.
- Learn as much about your bleeding disorder as you can. Know what type of factor deficiency you have, what brand of factor or other medication you use and the amount. Also start learning to remember your bleed history and whether you have had any history of treatment complications. Join your local Haemophilia Foundation, stay in touch with what is happening in research, what issues are coming up for others. You will benefit from being more knowledgeable.
- Be prepared by making sure you keep enough treatment and first aid supplies on hand as well as emergency contacts.
Moving away from home can be stressful but you can reduce the amount of stress by talking to someone, your friends, family or your Haemophilia Treatment Centre. Because even though you may know everything about your bleeding disorder and be able to cope independently, everyone does need help at times and it is important to know when to be independent and when to ask for help.