Do not stay alone and isolated but, suggests Christiane, find an organization that can help you.
Transcript
Based on my experience, what would I say to the caregivers? “Listen, go to the associations, you will hear about others, and they will give you tricks. Don’t wait for the CLSC, you have to call them. And the government, same thing, you have to call them, you have to… Otherwise, you get nothing… you get nothing.” How did I find out — I will verify when I do my income tax return — that it is possible to have a monthly amount for the caregivers. I didn’t see it, neither did my son. I will look into it when I do my income tax return. It would be… May be we should all get together and write a petition, because you don’t get richer, you get poorer. You know the people outside are lucky, they have their pension and they have nothing to do. Yes, they have nothing to do, but they have expenses that… that you didn’t have usually. Like this Summer, I rented a wheelchair, but it costs $60 per month. They tell me “Well, keep your receipts for your income tax.” Well, I don’t pay income tax so they don’t give me back that money! You know what I would tell them, it’s to go to associations, not to stay alone, talk about it, do not isolate yourself because it’s even worse.
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- Legal issues -ChristianeGetting a mandate in case of incapacity costs a lot of money, which Christiane is unable to pay at this moment.
- The future and caregiving – ChristianeChristiane knows she needs a break; she worries about what will happen to her husband if she gets sick.
- Support from family and friends – ChristianeChristiane finds it difficult to ask friends for help, especially since she is not able to pay them.
- Social impact and lifestyle changes – ChristianeChristiane feels isolated because it seems that her friends don’t want to visit anymore.
- Resources – ChristianeThanks to arrangements made possible by her support group, Christiane is able to attend conferences and other activities organized by the caregivers group.
- Providing support – ChristianeOne weekend, Christiane had to move her husband in bed. And with her back problem, she wonders what might happen if she had to do it again.
- Navigating the system – ChristianeChristiane had to make many phone calls to arrange for things like a wheelchair and home care support.
- Interaction with professionals – ChristianeChristiane told her social worker about a solution she found herself.
- Hospitals and facilities (2) – ChristianeChristiane has to check-up regularly on how the facility is caring for her husband.
- Hospitals and facilities – ChristianeChristiane struggled with the decision to move her husband to a facility; her parents helped her make the decision.