Wednesday, January 19, 2011
If the long-term care provided by spouses or relatives were to stop today the infrastructure of professional healthcare provision would collapse under the strain. Over 80 percent of long-term care is provided outside of formal healthcare. Quite simply we rely on the legions of friends, relatives, hel...
Dear Jerry, I couldn't let this subject go by w/o a comment. First a giant 'shout out' to my dear husband who is MY caregiver when I'm unable to care for myself. We are an older couple who has only been married for 18 months and we both knew when we got married that my health wasn't the greatest , however I was able to do for myself at that time. No one could have known how quickly things can go downhill healthwise . I have 2 very chronic and life threatening health issues which has led him to have to be my caregiver for the last year. When I am very sick he does all the housework, laundry, cooking, taking me to Dr. appts. , shopping, bill paying etc. etc. etc. In addition to this he works a full-time job as a heavy equipment operator, in the warm weather 10 hr. days. Sometimes I feel that he is getting burnt out, but he really dosen't complain, just goes quietly about and does what he has to do. I hope he knows how much I aprreciate him,I feel guilty because all of this has been thrust upon him so soon after our marriage. This is a really important subject to some of us Jerry, thank you so much for posting it. Sioux.
Hi Sioux,
Thanks for a valuable contribution. We all know you didn't will illness on yourself so your guilt, whilst understandable in some respects, is a burden you've inflicted upon yourself. I'm sure your husband understands the situation. How sad though that this has all come about so soon after your marriage.
From the sounds of things you and your husband had some idea that your health might be slipping. You are a mature couple and this can be helpful when it comes to coping with situations such as you describe. So long as your bond as a couple remains strong I think you'll see how well your husband gets along. From his perspective as a loving husband he may be very pleased to look after you. It's clearly worth keeping an eye on him and if you really start to get worried then it's time to talk things through and weigh up the options.
Hi Jerry, thank you for your answer, it helped my perspective on things, Sioux.