Mr. and Mrs. Smith find it helpful to share their caregiving responsibilities and experiences.
Written testimony
We were doing joint caregiving, so we would just bounce [the difficult moments] off. Right now I find with my health, it is really hard because I’m totally drained of energy. [So], we take turns. Sometimes we just talk it over. Like today, I was really upset with what happened at the home. I came and I cried and I went a bit, “Alright!” It keeps on going on in your mind right?
[…] With the experience we had with my mom, we were able to ask the similar questions back in Holland. I, primarily, was with my mom. I was the one who was looking at the resources and whatnot, so I would say, “Okay, we have this in Canada. Do we have something parallel over there?” [By] doing the caregiving jointly, it kind of relieves the stresses on each other. If he is busy doing something, then I’ll say, “Okay, I’ll pitch in.” And when I want a break, he’ll say, “Okay, I’ll go and do it.” So, that kind of helps.
More content
- Resources -SmithWhen Mrs. Smith started to be mentally affected by the caring, she decided to go to a caregivers support. It turned out to be a very good resource.
- Navigating the system -SmithOrganizing someone’s care can be hard. Mr. Smith found that services don’t often fit or connect together.
- Caring for yourself -SmithMr. and Mrs. Smith find it helpful to share their caregiving responsibilities and experiences.
- Advice for professionals and society -SmithThe Smiths never expected to become caregivers: they say caregiving should receive more attention in today’s society.
- Advice for professionals and society -SmithHaving a single professional follow a patient and family over time is important; the Smiths had a good experience in Holland.