What you can do to help

Family members of all ages can help out in the day-to-day treatment of epilepsy.

Family first aid during a seizure

The following information should be shared with family members who can help someone during a seizure:

• Stay calm.
• Don't try to restrain the person.
• Take away items that could cause injury if the person falls or bumps into them.
• Stay with the person, or make sure a trusted person stays.
• Gently turn the person on his or her side so any fluid in the mouth can safely come out. Never try to force the person's mouth open or put anything in it.
• Observe the seizure, so you'll be able to describe what happened before, during, and after the seizure.
• When the seizure is over, watch the person for signs of confusion. Allow the person to rest or sleep if he or she wishes.

It is important not to place too much responsibility on a child to supervise his or her parent or sibling. Any support a child can give will make him or her feel more useful.

How to involve children

Children who have a sibling or parent with epilepsy should learn about the condition and what they can do to help. Parents should discuss the following epilepsy topics with children so they can play a more active role in helping out:

• What epilepsy is
• What a seizure is
• What a seizure looks like (It looks much scarier than it really is)
• What happens during a seizure
• What might cause the seizure (triggers)
• What the person might experience shortly afterwards

With a greater understanding of the condition children are less likely to be frightened during a seizure. Depending on how capable they are, children can assist a family member in the following ways:

• Finding help when a sibling or parent is experiencing a seizure
• Keeping other children calm when someone is experiencing a seizure
• Learn how to best attend to a person during a seizure
• Know who to call in case of an emergency
• Be attentive when the family member is near water or other safety concerns
• Provide a description of the events of the seizure that can be passed on to the doctor
• Help combat the perceived stigma of epilepsy with friends and peers
• Provide a constant source of reassurance and support