Recognize the different types of support

Caregiving can slip so subtly into our daily lives that it's sometimes difficult to ask important questions about the framework in which we'd like the caregiving relationship to continue. One of the important questions we often forget to explore is the network on which we can rely if needed.

This network can be very useful when we know it, for several reasons:

• Getting respite to allow oneself to meet one's own needs (which we often sweep under the rug!)

• Receiving home care or external care; whether it's hygiene services or a day center, for example.

• Receiving support or listening to help feel less alone in our situation or even understood by others in what we're going through.

• Socializing by talking about things other than our daily reality, which can make us experience different emotions and feelings.

• Allowing reflection on certain actions to be implemented for the well-being of the person being helped and their future concerning their condition and our available energy.

Contrary to what many may think, our network or our circle doesn't need to be directly linked to our family, but instead can be a network we choose to establish, to have a safety net if a need arises, like those mentioned above. Here's the circle we can turn to, other than our immediate family if they aren't able to help in the way we would like:

It's possible to build a network outside of one's own family to feel supported, and it's advisable to do this as early as possible in the caregiving relationship, to establish your allies in case needs arise and not to make efforts when we're halfway through and lack the energy to reach out to someone around us who might offer their help. It's important to know who we can rely on in various situations to act before exhaustion sets in. Don't hesitate to review your list of people you can count on to see if it's sufficient or if these people are still able to contribute in the same way given the evolving situation of the person being helped.