According to an IPSOS survey, carers were more than 11 million in 2020 to generously offer their assistance to a loved one in a fragile situation, i.e. nearly 30% of French people over the age of 18. While the commitment and involvement of this support mission are commendable, it is not without repercussions on the lives of caregivers
Find out what this generous life choice entails and learn how to approach it as calmly as possible.
Family caregiver, natural caregiver or caregiver:if the terms differ, they federate in the same mission of accompaniment in the illness or the suffering of a loved one. Article L113-1-3 of the Code of Social Action and Families defines the caregiver as any person who regularly helps a loved one in a fragile situation to assist her in the tasks of daily life and with whom she maintains a close emotional bond. The law relating to the adaptation of society to aging promulgated on December 28, 2015 frames in this sense the notions of recognition and support provided to caregivers.
When a person becomes dependent, they no longer have the physical or mental capacity to take on daily tasks and actions on their own. Depending on the degree of loss of autonomy, determined by the AGGIR list (Autonomie Gérontologique Groupe Iso-Ressources), it may be necessary to set up a recurring support process. In this context, calling on a caregiver takes on its full meaning.
It will take place within the framework of:
The lack of means of a person in a fragile situation can often force relatives to disrupt their organization to assist them on a daily basis. In this sense, becoming a caregiver does not always result from a personal decision and leads to questioning the very notion of choice.
Deciding to become a caregiver is not done on a whim and involves a lot of thought beforehand. It is important to consider the situation as a whole and to anticipate the consequences on your personal life. Whether you dedicate all of your time to this support mission or only devote a few hours to it a week, be aware of the upheavals it could involve in your daily life. Less free time, heavier responsibilities or an additional source of worry are only the tip of the iceberg. To guarantee optimal organization in the management of this help, discuss with your loved one and establish rules and limits. Your mission will thus be well framed and this new situation much better welcomed.
It's decided, you're going to become a caregiver, but do you know your rights and the help you can claim? We decipher for you the measures in place to best support you in your support project.
To help better reconcile professional life and aid mission, the government has introduced certain aids such as:
Get closer to local information points such as the CLICs or the Communal Center for Social Action (CCAS) in your municipality for more information.
October 6 has been the for 12 years day National Caregivers . Every year, it honors caregivers and the incredible commitment they demonstrate on a daily basis in their support mission. This event also aims to raise awareness of the difficulties that fall under this daily aid measure such as stress, fatigue, isolation or even depression. Preserving the health of caregivers has in this sense become a real necessity in order to guarantee optimal continuity in the support they provide to assist the person with a loss of autonomy.
To help others, it is essential to be yourself in the best possible conditions! In case of difficulties, why not seek help from those close to you, such as your friends or family? Talk about your feelings, your fears or your doubts in order to free yourself from this sometimes heavy weight to bear. You can also get closer to a support group to exchange without taboos with other caregivers such as the Bonjour Fred platform which brings together a large community by willingly exchanging their experiences and problems. Get closer to the home for carers, which provides valuable advice in the form of workshops or a hotline, or take part in the monthly coffee meeting for carers near you!
To learn more about the caregiver mission, attend our videoconference on April 6, 2022 , led by our specialized psychologist who will give you the keys to best support your loved one without sacrificing your health!
