Caring relatives: “We need solidarity, not pity”

2023-11-30 17:11:00

Simone Puffer talked about her everyday life in the Karl Borromäus retirement home on Wednesday in the OÖN Forum in the Linz Promenade Galleries: One day a resident came to her office. The lady had forgotten her room number and asked the care provider to write it down on a piece of paper. “A little later I got a call from the fire department. A lady is said to have called 122 several times because she couldn’t find her room.” It was the resident who was housed in 1-22: first floor, door 22.

Simone Puffer from the Caritas Karl Borromäus senior citizens’ home and validation teacher Hildegard Nachum spoke about dementia.
Image: VOLKER WEIHBOLD

Simone Puffer’s anecdote amused the visitors who otherwise don’t have much to laugh about. At the “Forum for Caring Relatives”, which the OÖNachrichten organized with Caritas on Wednesday afternoon, they were able to address their concerns and wishes to top-class experts.

Women in particular sat in the audience – a reflection of society, as Caritas director Franz Kehrer explained. “Two thirds of the family caregivers are women.” In total, there are around 60,000 people in Upper Austria who look after their relatives or other close people in need of care at home. They often reach their limits, physically and emotionally. Your own needs usually fall by the wayside. One affected person shared her thoughts with Irene Hofinger-Grünauer, who runs the meeting point for caring relatives in Alkoven: “Sometimes I don’t know where my own life is. But it’s nice that my mom can be at home. We need solidarity, not Pity.”

The experts from Caritas and State Councilor for Social Affairs Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (VP) agreed: Caring relatives should be relieved. Caritas is already organizing affordable “relief weeks”, and from next year there will also be “time out days”, said the head of the service center for caring relatives, Sonja Zauner. In order for their clients to be able to find the time for this, more short-term care places are needed. Hattmannsdorfer agreed: “Massive investments” are necessary for day centers.

It becomes problematic when support is needed at short notice. “What happens if I, as a caring relative, suddenly become ill?” said Caritas director Kehrer in the direction of the state council.

Tips for care allowance and maternity leave

There are also financial hurdles. This year the relatives bonus of 125 euros per month was introduced. The legal right to a three-month care leave is also new. Gertraud Rainer from St. Oswald also took this to look after her uncle – but free of charge. “Unfortunately, for many grants, close family relationships have to be proven. Not every degree of relationship is always eligible, it varies greatly,” said Irmtraud Truttenberger from the Caritas service center. Those entitled to care leave receive around half of their net income. “Care is always associated with financial losses,” said Truttenberger.

You also have to look closely at care allowance. Anyone who is rated too low or has no support at all should file a complaint with the responsible social court. “You can’t put up with this,” said lawyer Wolfgang Stütz. He advises keeping a care diary before the expert visits. Finally, Stütz recommended that the listeners have a health care power of attorney. At a time when you can still think clearly, you should identify a person. “The power of attorney granted only comes into effect when, according to medical evidence, you are no longer able to make decisions.”

Wolfgang Stütz and Irmtraud Truttenberger with Gerhild Niedoba (OÖN)
Image: VOLKER WEIHBOLD

This is the case, for example, if advanced dementia is diagnosed. Validation expert Hildegard Nachum spoke about dealing with those affected. “People feel like a snowman is starting to melt.” As they cognitively decline, their emotional side comes to the fore, said Nachum. “They live in their own world. As a relative you have to learn to accompany them in this world.” This works best with employment, understanding and “insults”.

You can watch the event in full here: