When Rowdyneko’s husband was in the hospital, she often felt the staff just wanted to send him home as quickly as possible.

Transcript

It’s interesting. Some of it I could do a rant on this one. Often what happens is, well often, over say 20 I’d say in the last three years, two years we’ve had 25 ambulance calls. In the last three years we’ve probably had 35 admissions and ambulance calls. And about a couple of times a year the hospital doesn’t want to keep him; they want me to take him home. And they say to me—they use it as a threat—they say, “Well, if you can’t take care of him at home, he’ll have to go to a facility.” Last year he had C. difficile, last August, very seriously, and he was here and we had an ambulance call took him to the hospital. They wanted me to take him home. I said, “I am not taking him home,” because I said, “I’m going to call an ambulance the next time he goes to the bathroom.” And I work with homeless people. That’s what I do. I said, “I’m not exposing myself and my vulnerable clients to C. difficile; not happening.” So, they kept him and he was so sick he ended up being there for a month. But they got the social workers out, they got the whole gang up on me. And that’s what I was saying to you earlier. I mean, someone who was older than me and had less energy than me, and less knowledge, might have caved in that situation.

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More content

• Resources – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko told other patients about a free door-to-door transportation service to use instead of private ambulances.
• Providing support – Rowdyneko
  At times, Rowdyneko was asked to do medical tasks that she did not feel comfortable doing.
• Advice for friends and family – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko notices that people don’t call her or come over any more. She suggests that family and friends stay in contact.
• Financial impact 2 – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko is thankful that her husband’s medications are covered by the palliative pharmacare program.
• Financial impact – Rowdyneko
  Without extended medical coverage, Rowdyneko would have been under much more financial pressure.
• Uncovering how and why caregivers care – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko would love it if caregiving were fun, or brought her closer to her husband. Unfortunately, this is not the case for her.
• Travelling, holidays and respite – Rowdyneko
  When Rowdyneko leaves for a cruise, her family tries not to disturb her.
• Support from family and friends – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko doesn't do the caregiving willingly, but her son surprises her every day with his unselfish support.
• Society and caregiving – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko has noticed that younger caregivers often have to stop working. There are not enough resources or support for them.
• Interaction with professionals – Rowdyneko
  Being expected to do things that you are unable to do is frustrating for Rowdyneko.