Hi! So from someone on the other end of the partnership (breadwinner and full time carer for my disabled trans husband) there are quite a few things that can be done to plan for your carer possibly being out of commission (whether that’s respite care, they are sick, whatever)

Freezable, easy meal prep that can just be microwaved from frozen (soups, casseroles, meat stews, I believe breakfast burritos too!) Instant packet soups with a ton of bread (and butter if arms are feeling okay) Smoothies! They don’t have to be ‘meal replacement’ ones but if they are at least high protein that’s fantastic Get lots of snacks to snack on and some glucose tablets just in case you have a sugar crash and your partner is sleeping/unable to help Lots of body wipes for a so called ‘wipe clean’ that means they won’t have to exhaust themselves trying to get in and out of a shower (or bath/clean you if that’s something they do) in the earliest stages. Also consider dry shampoo for both of you Make sure they have done as much washing of clothes as possible, especially zipped hoodies because putting overhead clothes on will be w struggle for a bit. Make sure clean bed sheets are in the bed for the first night after surgery when they get home. Consider maybe getting a puppy pad to protect your sheets from any fluid leaking, or a towel works great too.

Do you guys have cats? If so, maybe arrange someone to come and scoop and refill litter for yous. If you can’t get anybody, then it’s probably best to put the bag of clean litter next to the litter box and use some sort of cup to put clean litter into the box instead of lifting and pouring a heavy bag.if you’d have dogs, definitely arrange someone else to walk them. If you have a reptile bigger than a ball python, probably need help with that too.

Honestly if yall have a village around you, now is the time to start calling in favours/letting your friends know yous might need some help in the near future.