Christiane finds it difficult to ask friends for help, especially since she is not able to pay them.
Transcript
It’s the same thing. He was getting up at night and falling. Now, try to lift this. He is all flabby. And he didn’t want anybody. Because now, “My God, I have no choice, I have to get someone. I cannot leave you on the floor.” Which means that you have to bother a neighbor, and then you… If we had a budget for this, then you feel less embarrassed. Like when I leave to go to my courses or at conferences and he is paid, although he is not paid very much, then I feel more… I think to myself, “At least he is paid to be here.” He would probably do it voluntarily, but it’s me who feels embarrassed. I am not the only one who feels that way. Some people never asked anything to anybody, and then, they have to! They do not have a choice but to ask. You don’t feel good about this. You depreciate yourself and you think “Why are there so many people, elderly people who follow one another.”
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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.