For Shoshana, caregiving is more about being a memory bank and a daily calendar.
Written testimony
Well my caregiving task is not a typical caregiving task. I mean, he can still function with getting things ready. My thing is being a calendar, a memory bank for him right now. […] Most of my caregiving is reminding him of things, keeping track of things, like when the kids were little. You have this going on on this day. I make sure he doesn’t miss an appointment. He still has a bit of meds. He’s still really good about looking after that. I don’t have to worry about that. It’s dealing with issues, but he’s fortunately able to deal with most of the stuff. I need to go along with appointments and things because I need to hear things, because he forgets things; he doesn’t process things. So I’m basically his memory bank, his calendar. That’s the biggest part of caregiving for him I would say. Physically, I don’t need to do anything physically for his needs. He can still look after what he needs to do physically. In regard to his caregiving and things, I don’t. I’m not doing any bathing or any of those kind of things. So, that’s basically what I am.
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- Interaction with professionals -ShoshanaShoshana disagreed with the diagnosis her husbands’ physician had given him, but later found out why the doctor had been cautious about being straightforward.
- Interaction with professionals -ShoshanaShoshana disagreed with the diagnosis her husbands’ physician had given him, but later found out why the doctor had been cautious about being straightforward.
- Resources -ShoshanaShoshana has maintained friendships with two other women who attended the support group.
- Effects of care recipients’ behaviour -ShoshanaShoshana’s husband has some behavioural issues and can be critical of her in public.
- Support from family and friends -ShoshanaThe support from Shoshana’s family-in-law was very poor, but she did receive great support from her sister.
- Social impact and lifestyle changes -ShoshanaShoshana is nervous about pursuing new friendships because her husband’s temperament has changed with his condition. She is worried about how others will perceive him.
- Providing support -ShoshanaFor Shoshana, caregiving is more about being a memory bank and a daily calendar.
- Legal issues -ShoshanaAfter her husband was mentally incapacitated, Shoshana wondered who could make decisions about her healthcare, should the need arise.
- Impact on health -ShoshanaShoshana advises anybody with suicidal thoughts to find a source of help.
- Advice for friends and family -ShoshanaShoshana suggests that for social events, people should always invite both the caregiver and care recipient; let them decide whether or not they are able to participate.