My caregiver
Hi, i wish to write something about my caregiver. I use electric wheelchair and i have got a caregiver who helps me a lot in order that i don't need to overexert self and that i can live as good as i can. My caregiver helps me with transferring from the bed to my electric wheelchair and from my electric wheelchair to the toilet. It prevents possibility that i fall as it could be dangerous for me. It is also very hard for my muscles to cope with transferring. My doctor told me not to overexert self as it would tire and exhaust me and it wouldn't benefit me despite i read a lot how physical exercise is good for the body. My caregiver helps me also by dressing. This way i needn't to bend self so much and drain my joints so much, for example when putting on shoes. She (my caregiver) helps me also by cleaning the flat, picking groceries from high shelves and other tasks which need physical strength or a lot of energy. I haven't got as much energy as healthy people around me have (for example my brother and his family and brother and sister of my brother's wife with families). I feel that i am in good hands when caregiver helps me. She does everything i ask her. She doesn't say that i should try something myself. She knows that i need a lot of rest too. I am very glad that i have got good caregiver. I can do things which don't require muscle strength or a lot of energy, such as typing on computer, writting, drawing, etc.
I have had so many caregivers over the years, some awful and some went way beyond what was necessary. I am glad you have a good one. They really do make a better quality of life possible.
@WeedyGarden Thanks for your answer. I had many caregivers in my life too. Some were great and others weren't so great. When i was in my 20's my parents insisted that they and my brother will care for me but it was very limiting as they wouldn't like to drive me whenever i wish and i would stay at home only, apart of going with them to their vineyard cottage where they have vineyard, orchard and garden. Yes, i can't deny that time with my parents, brother and his family and also families of my brother's wife's brother and sister is awesome and that i love and appreciate them very much, but i wish also to have some indepedent life away from them too. This way i had opportunity to go to vacations, spend fun time with friends, work, do whatever i want at my flat (including, but not limited to watching movies and documentaries i like (my parents would never let me watch movies where violence is present, and i wouldn't be able to watch Harry Potter, Lord of the rings, Hunger games,...), playing video games, reading books i like, being active on 7cups, etc. I am very thankful for it.
Regarding quality of caregivers: people like to help other people, but sometimes personalities don't match or caregiver can't trully understand the struggles of person who needs caregiver. If caregivers are voluntering (spending their spare time caregiving) they can think that they can just relax and have fun (and yes, i understand, they might be tired too due to their work at job) and so, it is better to have a caregiver who is paid for their work that they can have free time after or before the work of caregiving. So, i am very thankful for personal assistance act which was enacted some years ago in my country which enables that i have got caregivers paid by government for their work.
@WeedyGarden Oh, it must be very hard and traumatic experience if caregivers are so uncaring. Weedygarden, can you maybe tell me what was the cause of your friend's passing away?
