Recovery periods are important: How do I take care of my relatives at home?

What are the reasons for or against caring for a family member at home?

“You have to first consider whether you can handle it in terms of time and emotionally,” says Marianne Pfister. It is important to consider whether the illness is severe or mild, whether long-term care is required and whether you need to reduce your own work. The reason families decide to care for their loved ones is simple: “You want to take care of your loved ones and do something good for them.” Depending on the need for maintenance or support, it may make more sense to use a professional service, according to Pfister.

Can I get financial support?

“There is a possibility that relatives of the caregiver are employed by Spitex,” Pfister says. However, it should be noted here that Spitex is only allowed to bill the health insurance company for services that meet the needs of relatives. “This could be taking a shower twice a week, for example.” The wrong idea should not arise that enough is earned to compensate for financial losses in salaries. It is important to distinguish between care (services that Spitex will also undertake) and care (time spent together, walks, chats, etc.) – because the latter is usually not chargeable. For this reason, Pfister recommends a special care or support contract between the person in need of care and the relative. “Then an hourly rate can be determined.” You can also apply for helplessness allowance and care credit. This is where Pro Senectute offers support.

How can I learn proper nursing?

In this case, Pfister recommends taking a course at Pro Senectute or a nursing aid course to learn the basics. The second usually lasts three months and offers a good introduction to care. The provider is, for example, the Swiss Red Cross.

How can I maintain my balance as a caregiver?

“Get timely support,” advises Pfister. Your own free time and rest phase are important to be balanced: “No one should be contacted for 24 hours.” The co-executive director of Spitex Switzerland emphasizes that professional experts can put family caregivers at ease. You can differentiate yourself more easily and know how valuable breaks can be. Another possibility is to have the person to be cared for temporarily for a few days: “For example, there are nursing homes that take care of people in their so-called holiday beds for a few days and take care of them professionally.” Personal care should never be forgotten: “You should always be aware that care is a very demanding job.”

How do I deal with it when it’s time to quit and the person I care about dies?

Pfister explains that such a loss is a very troublesome situation. “You no longer have your most important task.” In order not to fall into a pit, it is important to still have a life and a world near the person to be looked after. Social connections or work can be incredibly important resources. This is why Pfister emphasizes that you should have the courage to seek support and not overload yourself with the task of caring for a relative. According to Pfister, palliative care is an important address to turn to the right specialists in these difficult times.