Informal care – Mother’s perspective

All our blog posts written in Maria’s or Joonatan’s point of view are partly based on the interview we did with our working life representative 

“At times like these I’m glad I don’t have any more children. Joonatan had a bad dyspnea (shortness of breath) last night. I had to call an ambulance and luckily they got him to calm down and feeling better again. I know many caregivers have more than one child and they must feel exhausted since I am too with only one child. I wouldn’t have time for other kids right now even though Joonatan is getting healthier. 

I have enjoyed reading other caregivers stories about their family’s situations in newspapers and blogs, but my favourite so far has been the ‘Omassa kuplassa’ podcast.  I have also wondered on how I could influence on other caregivers lives like they have done to me. It has been reassuring to know that I am not alone in this situation.  I also have to think about my own resources especially now that Joonatan is feeling better, because he gets rebellious more easily. Maybe I could do an interview or participate in some organizations project. Then I could decide what I am able to tell and do but would still be part of something that would help others.    

If I could change the caregivers services, I would probably add a home service that would only be for informal care families. They could spend more time with children so we caregivers could have more time for ourselves. They would also have strict rules on not to come into our home if they have any flu symptoms. I feel like often people think that they are still able to work well while having a flu but what they don’t understand is that our children can’t handle flu as easily as them. And if the workers would be sick, then maybe they could get another worker to do the visit instead so we wouldn’t have to cancel the whole visit. But I know that not all municipalities have enough money to hire the people for it or even do this kind of services. I feel like I could take a long nap right about now, but tomorrow Joonatan will go to his father and I can have a little break.   

I can’t wait for when Joonatan is healthy again and we can enjoy even the small things in life, like going to the library together. “ 

-Minna 

Suurin osa Showcasen blogeista on toteutettu osana Laurean opintojaksoja. Koko koulutustarjontaamme voi tutustua nettisivuillamme. Tarjoamme kymmenien tutkintoon johtavien koulutuksien lisäksi myös paljon täydennys- ja erikoistumiskoulutuksia sekä yksittäisiä opintojaksoja avoimen AMK:n kautta!