It can be “hit or miss”; sometimes Marc knocks on the right door, and other times the wrong door.
Transcript
Every time I knocked on the door, sometimes I knocked on the wrong door. [If} The person can’t help me, she will tell me. As a caregiver, I don’t know what to tell you. Personally, as I told you, I had physical problems, like anyone else. We solve our problems. It is more with the depression that I had to navigate more. My family doctor and a lot by myself, because of course, after many years you know more easily where to knock and whom to ask.
For example, since September we’re meeting with a pivot nurse. I didn’t know what a pivot nurse was. And a pivot nurse is person that has a magic wand. The one that we met, thanks to her, we quickly had medical prescriptions, medical appointments and specialized equipment. I find that it is extremely important to meet someone like this. Knowing that it exists. I never met one before.
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- Travelling, holidays and respite – MarcMarc and the friend he cares for love to travel. Travelling helps them get through more difficult moments.
- Navigating the system – MarcIt can be “hit or miss”; sometimes Marc knocks on the right door, and other times the wrong door.
- Resources – MarcYou don’t always know where to ask for help. It would be easier if there were one single place to turn for good information, says Marc.
- Effects of care recipients’ behaviour – MarcMarc is very touched and inspired by the friend for whom he is caring.
- Trying to find the right balance – MarcMarc gives a lot of time to care for his friend, but also needs time for himself. He has learned to reconnect with himself during his free moments.
- Caring for yourself – MarcIn his experience, Marc was confronted with an existential dimension to caregiving: “Caring for someone is also suffering; it is suffering through love.”
- Financial impact – MarcMarc makes little money as a caregiver, but he is not worried. This is a choice he has made.
- Impact on health – MarcMarc lived through two periods of depression, but feels that now he has found a better equilibrium.
- The future and caregiving – MarcMarc doesn’t know what the future will bring but believes "where there is a will, there is a way."
- Providing support – MarcMarc’s friend is only able to speak with his eyes. Marc describes how this made his hospital stay more complicated.