Under the term caregiver, there should be a recognized status, whether you are a minor or an adult, and nothing prepares you for this obstacle course.
In France, we has around 11 million caregivers in the country. These are people who provide daily assistance to one or more of their loved ones who are sick, disabled, or have lost their independence, and that’s without counting the 500,000 young minor caregivers.
Carers represent a saving of 11 billion euros, thanks to the care of their loved ones, according to the Médéric Alzheimer Foundation barometer. The population is aging, so in 2030, in seven years, it is estimated that one in four workers will be a caregiver.
In his book, I became the parent of my parents, published by Stock, Vincent Valinducq recounts the fight he waged for fourteen years, facing the illness of his 52-year-old mother. VShis book is also a plea on the general state of caregivers, those being cared for, the hospital which cannot do more, as well as the situation of care assistants.
“It is fundamental to support caregivers, but it has a cost, and I don’t see how the free psychological help structures, already overloaded, can do it correctly. Helping is, above all, loving.”
Beyond this personal story, advice emerges for getting closer to certain organizations:
MDPH: Mdepartmental house for people with disabilities
CCAS: Social activities of the electricity and gas industries
CLIC: The local gerontological information and coordination center
SAD: Home services
OCIRP: Business helpers
I became a parent of my parents by Vincent Valinducq, has just been published by Stock.