Rowdyneko has never really been interested in a caring role and she describes it as something she is doing “kicking and screaming”.

Transcript

He’s in a transition unit now. He’s not in acute care, which is somewhat better. I do find—because I found visiting him in hospital in acute rooms I was really grumpy—I just do not do any of this stuff well. I mean honestly, I’m being really honest when I say I do this caregiving kicking and screaming. I mean, I was dragged into this by circumstance. I mean, never ever. I mean, I can remember in high school in my day, pretty much your choices were to be a nurse, a teacher, or a secretary. Those were your 3 options. And I can remember going on the future nurses’ tour because this was one of the choices. Man, I stepped in that hospital and I went “I am never doing this in my life.” I had such a strong reaction to that. And I grew up in a home that was very stoic. You didn’t get sick; and if you got sick, you better be damn—I mean, my brother broke his knee and nobody believed him for about 2 weeks. We thought he was shirking his chores because we lived on a farm. And so, that’s the kind of upbringing I had. So, you don’t get sick, you don’t. You don’t do any of this, you don’t do this stuff. So this is totally—I would not wish it on anybody. Now my friend, I have a friend who is a recovering alcoholic, and she always says to me, “Well, there has to be some lesson in this,” she says.

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• Resources – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko told other patients about a free door-to-door transportation service to use instead of private ambulances.
• Providing support – Rowdyneko
  At times, Rowdyneko was asked to do medical tasks that she did not feel comfortable doing.
• Advice for friends and family – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko notices that people don’t call her or come over any more. She suggests that family and friends stay in contact.
• Financial impact 2 – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko is thankful that her husband’s medications are covered by the palliative pharmacare program.
• Financial impact – Rowdyneko
  Without extended medical coverage, Rowdyneko would have been under much more financial pressure.
• Uncovering how and why caregivers care – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko would love it if caregiving were fun, or brought her closer to her husband. Unfortunately, this is not the case for her.
• Travelling, holidays and respite – Rowdyneko
  When Rowdyneko leaves for a cruise, her family tries not to disturb her.
• Support from family and friends – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko doesn't do the caregiving willingly, but her son surprises her every day with his unselfish support.
• Society and caregiving – Rowdyneko
  Rowdyneko has noticed that younger caregivers often have to stop working. There are not enough resources or support for them.
• Interaction with professionals – Rowdyneko
  Being expected to do things that you are unable to do is frustrating for Rowdyneko.