Pia's story

Caregivers: invisible heroes “Looking back, I think it started about five years ago. Together with my brother and sister we are there for my mother. My brother mainly takes care of her administration. My sister and I take turns. Do the shopping, cook and stay with her when she eats. Then she is not alone and we keep an eye on her, because she has to eat well. We still have our family, of course, so we plan it together as best we can.” “My brother, sister and I all live close to my mother, which makes it possible for us to do this. On the one hand, that is of course very nice. My mother does not have to leave her own familiar environment for the time being. It does keep us busy. What if things get worse and she can no longer live at home? When does my mother need a nursing home? When is our care no longer enough? I find that very difficult. Because how do you make such a decision for someone so close? Not knowing whether a decision is 'the right one' for my mother is the hardest part for me. I tell myself that if I acted with her best interests first, I did my best.” I tell myself that if I acted with her best interests first, I did my best. “Taking care of my mother in this way certainly has some tough and difficult moments. But at times it is also beautiful. My mother and I have so much more contact than before. Where I used to go for coffee now and then, I am now with her almost every day. Sometimes she tells stories about the past that I had never heard before. That way I get to know her even better during those moments. I experience every smile from my mother as valuable. Her end is approaching and that makes the time together extra valuable. I now look differently at the little moments of happiness in life, I appreciate them so much more” November 10 is the Day of Informal Care. A day on which we consciously take extra care of those who care for a seriously ill or disabled loved one 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 a year. Because that is hard work and often happens without anyone showing it on the outside. Pia, along with her brother and sister, takes care of her mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's two years ago. Share these stories and inspire others to help too! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Forward

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