Caring for a Loved One Who Has Experienced Amputation

Caregiving doesn’t pause after November — and neither does the importance of staying connected to the right support. Plug-in to Care helps caregivers find trusted information, supportive communities, and practical tools that make each day a little more manageable. Whether you’re caring for a loved one this holiday season or any time of year, connection can make all the difference.

The Caregiver’s Role

When a loved one undergoes an amputation, caregivers often face the need to adapt to sudden changes: mobility, prosthetics, pain and phantom limb issues, emotional adjustment, and home adaptations. Over time, new challenges emerge—maintenance of prosthetic devices, physical therapy, preventing complications, and helping the person rebuild confidence in daily life. As a caregiver, your role may include medical support, emotional encouragement, environmental modifications, coordination with therapists or prosthetists, and planning for long-term independence.

Top 3 Things Caregivers Should Know

Rehabilitation & Prosthetic Training Are Key

Recovery isn’t just healing the residual limb — it involves helping your loved one regain mobility, adapt to a prosthesis (if applicable), and relearn daily tasks. Being patient, proactive, and involved in therapy helps outcomes.

Emotional and Identity Adjustment Matter

Amputation can bring grief, loss, changes in body image, fear, and depression for both the person and their caregiver. Your support, empathy, and open communication are vital as they adjust mentally and socially.

Safety, Prevention & Ongoing Maintenance

Caregivers often help prevent complications like skin breakdown, infection, contractures, overuse injuries, and prosthetic issues (fit, wear, alignment). Also, environmental adaptations (ramps, grab bars, accessible layout) will make daily life safer and more independent.

Caregiving Resources

Partner Resources

Amputee Coalition:

> Caring for the Caregiver — Guidance, tips, and emotional support for those caring for someone with limb loss.

> When a Parent Loses a Limb: Helping Children Cope — Helps caregivers support children’s emotional understanding and adjustment when a parent has undergone amputation.

> Prosthetic FAQs for the New Amputee — Frequently asked questions about prosthetic options, care, challenges, and realistic expectations. Useful for caregivers who will help with prosthetic care.

> Emotional Recovery — Resources around grief, identity, body image, and mental health after limb loss—for both the person with amputation and their caregivers.

Caregiver Action Network

Family Caregiver Toolbox — A curated collection of guides, tip sheets, checklists, and practical tools across caregiving tasks.
National Caregiver Help Desk — One-on-one support to help caregivers with questions, referrals, or guidance in complex caregiving situations.
10 Tips for Family Caregivers — Short, actionable tips to help manage caregiving stress, organization, self-care, and balance.
Kindly Human (Peer Support) — CAN’s free, on-demand peer support platform offering 24/7 connection, listening, and miniature podcasts tailored to your caregiving situation.
Caregiver Support / Family Caregiver Support — CAN’s page on connecting caregivers with help, emotional support, and relevant resources.

This resource was developed with support from Amputee Coalition.

Plug-in to Care: Stay Connected

Caregiving can be complex, but you don’t have to face it alone. Plug-in to Care by connecting with trusted resources, supportive communities, and tools that help you care for your loved one — and yourself — throughout the holiday season and beyond.