On the occasion of National Caregiver Day, October 6, Faire-face.fr gives them the floor. Robert Vion, 75, is the husband of Évelyne, 74, who has Parkinson’s disease. His very demanding role of him with his wife, for more than twenty-five years, has exhausted him. But he also found support, particularly in a holiday formula for carers and assistants.
Faire-face.fr: Can you describe your wife’s situation and your role as a caregiver?
Roberto Vion: In recent years the health and morale of my wife, who has Parkinson’s disease, has seriously deteriorated. She is very dependent and has become extremely heavy. I leave the house only to do the shopping in a hurry, asking him to be calm, not to get up from his chair. But almost always, when she returns, I find her lying on the ground.
For years I take care of everything “
It is a permanent apprehension. In fact, I’ve been taking care of everything for years: her, her constant drug transfusions, housework, meals … A housekeeper comes every two days for her bathroom and a housekeeper two hours a week. We could have benefited more, but it was overwhelming. It’s easier to do it yourself, even if I wear out.
I clearly saw that I was in a stalemate. Therefore, with my daughters, we searched for a long time and finally found an Ehpad near us that looks good and accepts my wife. He is expected to move there in the next few days.
I don’t have much energy anymore and I don’t do anything for myself anymore. “
Ff.fr: And you, how are you?
camper: My condition has worsened dramatically lately. I don’t have much energy anymore and I’m a little out of my mind. I feel a great tiredness, a great tiredness. Over the years, I have withered. And then in the evening, after the meal, I can’t wait to go to bed. I don’t do anything for myself anymore.
My only concern is that he is as good as possible. My only hobby is watching TV. Until two or three years ago I went out every Monday afternoon with my hiking club. I liked. I saw people from the neighborhood. This allowed me to keep my shape.
When you are a caregiver, it is difficult to take care of your health, when it is essential to resist. I underwent open heart surgery last year. My daughters and I have had enormous difficulties in placing my wife while in hospital. Nobody wanted to welcome him.
With my wife’s departure from Ehpad, I will be able to rest. “
Ff.fr: What helps you?
camper: With my wife’s departure from the nursing home, I will be able to rest, visit her and go home whenever I want, go to the market without stress, get back in shape.
Even before that, in the last two years, I was able to experiment with a holiday formula dedicated to carers and carers, thanks to the association Relief Family Vacation (VRF),. It is very cheap, thanks in particular to the participation of pension funds.
There are three “villages” in France. This summer we spent a week in Fondettes, in Touraine. For me it was really relaxing, because we were on full board and I just had to think about the holidays. Group activities were proposed to the caregivers: visits to the castle, the botanical garden, small games… The people helped remained in the village with a staff to take care of them. Real support.
