Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to cost much. To Hélène, little things can be a big help.
Transcript
I just opened up [the pamphlet for caregivers] and the funny part was “taking care of yourself”. And that I had a problem with—what [is] “taking care of myself”? I’m not going to go to the cinema. I don’t have the money to go to a spa every weekend. And, in “taking care of yourself”, they had “take a nice hot bath”, with bubbly whatever. That helps. And, they have a Facebook [page], and I went “Ah wow.” […] They were suggesting, “reconnect with old friends and you might be surprised what you’ll learn.” And it’s true. The other one was simple things; read a book. We tend to think everything has to be big and we’re in a society of abundance. So, treating yourself could be like, “I’m going to change my hair.” And that’s fine, but it doesn’t have to be that. It’s doesn’t have to cost.
More from: Hélène
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- Interaction with professionals – HélèneHélène’s husband asked the doctor to treat him not as a number but as a person, and since then they get along really well.
- Health system issues – HélèneHélène was eventually reimbursed for travelling for medical care after writing to her members of parliament.
- Caring for yourself – HélèneTaking care of yourself doesn’t have to cost much. To Hélène, little things can be a big help.
- Impact on professional life and career – HélèneHélène used up all her vacation days to care for her husband; she ended up taking 5 years worth in advance.
- Financial impact – HélèneHélène discovered that drug companies sometimes help patients pay for medication.
- The future and caregiving – HélèneHélène wishes that dying was easier to talk about. She worries about being ready for the future.
- When care changes over time – HélèneHélène would like more information about how to deal with the final stage of her husband’s disease.
- Advice for other caregivers – Hélène“The squeaky wheel gets the grease. And you don’t have to squeak annoyingly but you can squeak nicely.” It took Hélène a long time to figure that out.