Hennita lives in Zoetermeer and has been caring intensively for her husband for over twelve years. It was only much later that she realised this made her a caregiver. Not through her GP, but through her sister-in-law, who has cared for her own mother for years. She kept urging her: register as a caregiver. At first Hennita thought that was over the top. Caring for your husband is just what you do, isn’t it?
A first step
Still, she registered. Soon after, she was invited to the caregivers’ café. Out of curiosity she went along, and there she met other caregivers, each with their own story. An acquaintance she ran into advised her to make an appointment with Wicorel, caregiver coordinator at inZet.
Support that fits
They clicked straight away. Wicorel thought along about what Hennita and her husband needed: help around the house, support with moving to a ground-floor home and a buddy for her husband. That gives Hennita some time for herself again, too.
Time for yourself
Hennita still goes to the caregivers’ café. She also took a flower-arranging course, on Wicorel’s advice: make time for something you enjoy. Her tip for anyone caring for someone else? Don’t hesitate. Contact a caregiver coordinator, register as a caregiver and drop in at the caregivers’ café.