Anne feels she has lost her marriage. “When somebody’s chronically ill, they don’t have the energy or the patience.”

Transcript

And as far as your marriage life, it kind of just deteriorates. It’s just like a job really, because he was in pain all the time, he didn’t feel well most of the time, he couldn’t stand to be touched because he hurt, right? So it did, as he got older, it got worse and worse and worse so that you’re just…it’s not a marriage anymore, it’s caregiver relationship. The marriage has kind of gone because when somebody’s chronically ill, they don’t have the energy or the patience, I’d say. And as they get older, they get more miserable and more pain. So it’s really hard to have a relationship with somebody like that. So it’s kind of like you get older and you just kind of deal with it.

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• When care changes over time – Anne
  Recently, Anne’s husband can barely make it into his wheelchair on his own. She is worried about what will come next.
• Uncovering how and why caregivers care – Anne
  Anne feels that she would not be able to live with herself, if her husband was in a facility.
• The future and caregiving – Anne
  Anne is worried about the day her husband can’t get into his wheelchair, but says, “What will happen will happen, there is nothing I can do about it.”
• Support from family and friends – Anne
  It was a real shock for Anne that her husband’s family disappeared.
• Interaction with professionals – Anne
  Anne is frustrated with the lack of care her husband receives, and no longer accompanies him to see the doctor.
• Impact on health – Anne
  The stress kept building until Anne was admitted to the hospital for a week.
• Caring for yourself – Anne
  Anne finds that reading certain books help her manage how she feels.
• Advice for professionals and society – Anne
  Healthcare professionals should talk to caregivers and remind them that they need to take breaks. Anne ended up in the hospital after breaking down due to stress.
• Advice for professionals and society – Anne
  Healthcare professionals should talk to caregivers and remind them that they need to take breaks. Anne ended up in the hospital after breaking down due to stress.
• Adapting to new roles and key issues for spouses – Anne
  Anne feels she has lost her marriage. “When somebody’s chronically ill, they don’t have the energy or the patience.”