Finding support for yourself to help a loved one
Due to health problems, a loved one now needs your help on a regular basis? You may need support to help you play your role without putting your own health at risk. Here are a few examples.
Emotional support
It can be a person from your entourage or an organized support group. Regardless, the important thing is to know that there is an attentive ear to whom you can confide when you need it. If the person you are helping requires a constant presence, you may occasionally need a respite service that will allow you to stay away for a few hours or days to recharge your batteries.
Material help
This is often the first type of support you will need: help with housekeeping, for example, or a delivery service for groceries or medicines.
Legal and administrative help
What services are covered by the government or are eligible for tax credits? What legal procedures must be undertaken (e.g. mandate in case of incapacity). You may need the help of a financial advisor, a lawyer or a notary.
Help with medications
If you need help with the medicines of your loved one, your pharmacist is there for you. Do not hesitate to consult him or her. However, since your loved one's file is confidential, the pharmacist needs his or her written or verbal authorization. If the person can no longer give consent, you will need a power of attorney or a warrant (e.g. mandate in case of incapacity).
211 Service, a gold mine to find support
To find out what services are available in your community, call 211 or visit www.211qc.ca. This service offers information on community, public and parapublic services for many regions of Quebec.