Lifting the burden with Promedica24 – Bev’s Story
When I retired early, I didn’t know how my life would change. From wishing to have more time to myself, to being totally absorbed in other people’s lives. Trying to please everyone, and it never being enough, or good enough.
It all started when I agreed to help an elderly friend, and two family members with their shopping and cleaning, as a way of keeping active and making money. What I didn’t account for was that they would become completely reliant on me. I was trapped in a situation where they needed me and didn’t trust anyone else. I became very attached to them as well. Each of my clients, with two in their 90s, seemed depressed and this was difficult for me.
My patient husband, who had supported me, listened to me, drove me, and understood me, suggested that I might be depressed. We made an appointment together and the doctor asked me when I last felt happy. It was at this point I just couldn’t remember and burst into tears. He gave me the best advice: “nothing will change unless you change what you are doing.”
I set about organising other people to care for my friend, who eventually accepted having someone else to clean and shop for her, and I could still visit for a nice cup of tea and a chat.
My relative was a bit trickier, as dementia was setting in and I was organizing an army of helpers going over every evening to undress and help her into bed, as well as dealing with distressed phone calls. Someone else to get her up, someone else to help her in the bath, meals on wheels, gardener, laundry, hairdresser, nails, cleaning, shopping, and paying bills. On and on. If one element fell down, she was very vulnerable.
That’s why I contacted Promedica24, who were recommended to me by a family friend. They quickly assessed the home, situation, and requirements. It wasn’t long before we had a carer in place taking care of all her requirements and needs. She has a fresh homecooked meal at a sensible time. Before this, sometimes her meals were arriving after 2PM and not dished up, which meant she either wouldn’t eat or would try to put the tin foil dishes in the microwave or leave the oven on for hours. I know now that someone is there to get her up and do all the daily tasks that we take for granted when we have a brain that functions in a logical manner.
The weight and burden have been lifted for me and the responsibility is far less. There are still things to sort out for her, but I know that someone is there ensuring she is safe and well cared for. When I visit now, I have another person to discuss her care with, who really understands what she needs.
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