Stéfanie Brideau: A listening ear for caregivers

My role is to take calls, answer e-mails and chat, to listen and guide people to the resources they need. My colleagues and I are there 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, to answer all kinds of questions and respond to all kinds of situations.

Exhaustion is a major challenge. It’s one of the most frequent issues we encounter on our hotline. People often call us when they’re at the end of their rope. Guilt is also a major issue, especially when it comes to taking time out for oneself.

There’s a reflex to want to do everything oneself, to not ask for help, to not want to inconvenience anyone. But this can lead to isolation and exhaustion. It’s like a cell phone. If you use it all day for several days in a row, the battery dies. You have to plug it in. So we need to connect with things that will recharge our batteries.

We can help with a wide range of issues. We can help with home adaptation, financial issues, respite services… We have a directory of resources that is available to everyone.

Many people don’t see themselves as caregivers. We need to demystify this role and make people understand that help is available. The transition from one service to another is complex. And that’s often all they need.

Keep a caregiving diary. It allows us to take a step back, identify our needs and see how much we accomplish on a daily basis.

It takes a village to help a caregiver. At l’Appui, we want to be part of that helping village, along with other healthcare professionals in the network, community organizations and the caregiver’s circle of friends and family.