"A man in love who was exhausted and couldn't stand to see his wife suffering any longer" - The accused lawyers
A Montreal man was found guilty of manslaughter and has been sentenced to two years less a day for killing his wife, who was in the late stages of Alzheimer's disease (source). His lawyers portrayed him as an exhausted caregiver. They argued their client's judgment on the day of his wife's death was clouded by a major depression and years of suffering.
The Public Health Agency of Canada estimates that 7% of all people 65 and older have dementia (source). By 2031, 1.4 million Canadians could be living with dementia (source). Children and spouses most commonly take on the role of caregiver of seniors with dementia, and they spend an average of 26 hours a week providing care (source). A study found that 32% of family caregivers of people with dementia also suffer from depression (source).
How can the mental health system support current family care providers and prepare for the future?
As caregiver,
1.All systems/groups/orginizations can start by talking to us directly and not some abstract academic studies.
2.when you say you going to do something for them, do it ,(they/we do not forget what you say to us) follow through on what agreed apon, call /see the caregiver with the follow up
2 most of all what they need is $$$$
It isneeded to go directly into hand of caregivers, to buy products, medical supplies,incontinence products, to be able pay bills, to hire extra physical help, and everything in between.
3. Stop telling us to take care of ourselves and look after ourselves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! because it takes $$$$$$$$$ to do that (see #2) even to go have a cup of coffee.
4.Do real things for caregivers,such and but not limited to the following,
*Relieve them for 3 hours or more or better a full day
*Make or buy dinner, breakfast for them and the person they're looking for,( that's the one thing for them to do that day
*Do three four loads of laundry for them( that's one less thing for them to do that day) put lundry away.
*Go do their shopping
*Clean the home for them or buy a cleanning service for them
*Gas up their vehicle
*Buy more PSW hours for them
*Check in with them via phone and in person
*Buy wipes, diapers
* Take them out on their birthday or send them a gift
*Order take for them
*Send them a pizza
*Pay one or more over due bill
*Repair and or replace broken/unsueable items
*Buy internet service for them or buy a one year subscription to Netflix or something like that.
*Advocate for them
*Take them to a play/comedy/concert and so on
* Take them to see their own doctor (because they will never go)
****Do real things!****
Do practical things, to lighten their burden.
*Do not add to their workload.(try to take away work)
*NEVER blame them (they/we already blame ourselves).
I hope I have given fruit for thought to everyone reading this...
Curlysunflowers 😢🙏
Very insightful and helpful list [@mention:364839994990841453]. I hope this can help us be better. Thanks for sharing.