For Anne, it is just treating a human being like a human being.

Transcript

There’s such an ugly side to this; it’s just horrific in the beginning when you see the awfulness and then you see these other people in the same situation, what they have to live with. It’s kind of coming to terms with that kind of stuff and saying, “Well, I’ll do the best I can and make him as comfortable as I can,” and that kind of thing; just treating another human being like a human being. I mean, I’m not perfect by any means. I get angry at him and everything else, but I still couldn’t put him in a place and just throw a human being away. No, not going to do that. So that’s really what’s the underlying thing.

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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.”