How Christmas Care Helped Joan Enjoy Some Respite
Joan needed some extra Christmas care to help her through the holiday season. Could respite services offer the help she needs? Let's find out.
Joan Needed Christmas Care. Could Respite Services Provide The Answer?
Joan had had a tough year. Early on, she had been diagnosed with onset dementia. It was quite a frightening time; there were moments when she could not articulate what she wanted to say to people or recognise faces. She was worried that she was slowly losing her independence. And she was frustrated. Really frustrated.
Cathy, her daughter, had been a godsend. She constantly swapped work days to help Joan when she needed things. But Joan was starting to see Cathy struggle. “I’m such a burden,” she thought. “I wish there was more I could do.”
One Day, Cathy Comes Home With Some Information About Respite Services
Cathy burst into the living room with a bright smile, something Joan hadn’t seen for a while. “Oh, Mum,” she said. “I’ve just had a lovely chat with a lady I met who gave us a brochure to look through. Shall I put the kettle on?”
“Yes, please. I’ll have a coffee. Thanks, love.” Joan continued, “I didn’t know you were coming. Otherwise, I’d have had the kettle on.”
“That’s okay, mum. I live here now, remember? Let me put the bits away, and I’ll grab us some coffee.”
She seemed very happy, Joan thought, absentmindedly rubbing her hands.
Cathy brought coffee and biscuits into the living room a few minutes later. Sitting down, she reached for what looked like a brochure from her bag. Joan asked, “What have you got there, love?”
“It’s a brochure, Mum. About Respite Care. Do you remember me telling you about the lady I met today?”
Joan rubs her hands again, “Oh, a brochure? What’s it about? You going on holiday?”
“Respite services,” said Cathy. “Basically, respite care, is like private care for the elderly, and it covers a temporary situation, like moments when we need extra help.”
“They can send someone out to help us while I get some bits done at work and spend a bit of time with Dan and the kids over Christmas.” Cathy handed the brochure over to Joan. “See, they can help you with everything from ironing to remembering your medication.”
“They won’t stop me coming to see you every day,” Cathy quickly added. “You’ll still see me. But the carer will help you get dressed and get your meals and things. I’ll also be sleeping back at home for a few weeks. The carer will help you overnight. It’s just for a few weeks.”
“Oh, I don’t want to be a burden, Cathy, love. Do you think we really need someone?”
“Yes, Mum, I do,” said Cathy, looking a little tearful. “To be honest, Mum, I’m struggling a bit. If someone comes in to help over Christmas, they could help you and help me take a break. I need to catch up with Dan and the kids. You know Sophie is in the school play this year? Well, the carer could sit with you while I go to that. Plus, I think you need a bit more care than I know how to give.”
“Oh, I see”. Joan suddenly remembered Cathy had been looking a bit down recently; maybe a break would do her good.
“You should have a break, love. It’ll do you some good. Don’t worry about me I’ll manage.”
Cathy could see that her mother had lost the thread of the conversation. It was time to put the brochure away and steal a moment to call Carol, the lady from Home Instead.
Christmas Care Helps Joan and Cathy Have a Family Christmas
Agnes was the respite carer’s name. She’d been with Joan only a few days, and already Cathy could see the difference in her outlook.
“You look happy, Mum. What are you doing there?” Cathy said, leaning over Joan, who was making Christmas crafts at the table.
Joan looked up, grinning from ear to ear. “Oh, Cath”, she said. “We’ve had great fun this morning making bits for the tree and listening to Frank on the wireless.”
She offered up some decorations for Cathy to see, “Agnes helped me make these baubles. Effective, aren’t they?”
“Oh, Mum, these look great! Agnes, you’ll have to show me how you make them.”
“I’ll be in in a minute, Cathy,” called Agnes from the kitchen. “Just popping on the lunch. I think Joan is feeling up to coming to see Sophie in the play later, so I wanted her to eat a proper meal before we go.”
“Depending on how we get on, we can gauge if she’ll be up for some family time Christmas afternoon.”
Cathy’s heart bounced. Joan hadn’t left the house in months. Agnes has really been helping Mum build her confidence. “I wonder if she can help me after Christmas?” thought Cathy.
“Agnes. What will you do after Christmas? Do you have a new job to go to?”
Agnes popped her head around the kitchen door, “The team will find me something. You don’t need to worry about me. Let’s just get you back on your feet and fighting fit.”
“I thought I might call Carol”, said Cathy. “Maybe we could keep you on for a bit longer.”
*Disclaimer. This is a dramatised version of a common event for our clients and how learning about care options can help them care for their loved ones.