Wanda* has been caring for her husband, Barry* since he was diagnosed with gastric cancer and depression.
The couple are in their late 80s.
Wanda had been feeling overwhelmed by her caring role, having to attend regular hospital appointments with Barry and also nurse him at home.
While still doing the cooking, she was struggling to clean her home.
A house-proud person, Wanda was becoming increasingly anxious that her home was unkempt and disorganised.
Our Carer Gateway team organised a weekly cleaning service to help around the house.
Wanda was thrilled with this service.
Her daughter said that Wanda’s eyes lit up when the cleaner, Anne* arrived for the first time.
They have since formed a friendship and Wanda often chats to Anne while she cleans.
Our team also organised an over-the-phone counselling service, which Wanda says has been very helpful in discussing some of the underlying struggles she encounters in her carer’s role.
This service is easily accessed by phone and the counsellors arrange times to suit Wanda’s availability.
To find out more about Carer Gateway, visit Carer Gateway.
*This is a true story about real people. Some details such as names have been changed to respect the wishes of the people featured. The photo accompanying this story is for illustrative purposes only. It is not a photo of the people featured in this story.
