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Carers make a huge difference to people's lives.
Joyce 83, wife and carer of Tom 81, diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
"It started with just little things - Tom found it really hard to mow the lawn anymore.
We organised a lawn man, and that helped, but it really wasn't enough. The family kept saying I needed more help, but Tom and I resisted. The family never mind helping out, particularly with maintenance things and emergencies, but I don't want to feel like I'm calling them with problems every few days.
We talked about a carer. I wasn't keen as I didn't like the idea of people coming into our home - and Tom is a bit stubborn - but he agreed on the basis if we did get some help, he would like a male carer. So we all agreed to do it.
My daughter found Michael. He started to come Tuesday afternoons for 4 hours and helped with grocery shopping, filling the scripts at the Pharmacy or taking Tom to get his hair cut.
I now look forward to having Michael here. He comes on Saturday afternoon now as well for 5 hours. I'm back at my art class and I enjoy this time, because I know Tom's being well looked after".
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