The theme for this year’s Carers Week is ‘Making Caring Visible’, so we spoke to Islington carer Jeanne Pring to ask about her experience of caring for her mother-in-law.

When we first called Jeanne to talk about her caring role, she was making cookies.  She regularly makes a large batch of cookies, freezes them, and then distributes small bags of cookies to the community. Jeanne says “It’s a way of reaching out to people during this covid-19 situation and trying to give people a boost, when many people are unable to go out at all”.  This gesture and activity reflects a lot about Jeanne.  She is clearly very organised, and likes to use her skills to help others, where she can.

What’s your caring situation?

Jeanne was originally caring for both her husband’s parents from 2016.  She and her husband had to move into their house, and provide round the clock care without much physical help.  She managed medication, household administration and oversaw their care.  Jeanne had to find a way of helping behind the scenes, whilst allowing her father-in-law to stay in charge of the care for his wife.

Since her father-in-law died in 2017, Jeanne has taken over the primary care for her mother-in-law.  This involved learning everything about her mother-in-law, gaining an understanding of her specific dementia condition from GPs and learning about her care needs.  Understanding more about the condition also enabled Jeanne to empathise and develop a tolerance of some of the more difficult behaviour that is associated with it.  This included an understanding of why someone with this condition might on occasion ‘lash out’.

“My mother-in-law would remember looking after everyone, organising everyone, and someone else carrying out this role this was a source of frustration for her.  As her condition has progressed, she is more comfortable and seems happier as she doesn’t have the same memory of how her life used to be.”

Jeanne manages the household including the meals, undertakes all the care needs and is also a companion for her mother-in-law.  As an attorney, she needs to think on her donor’s behalf in respect of her healthcare and financial decisions.

“It takes an enormous amount of physical, mental and emotional energy.  I got to the point some years ago where I did burn out, and I realised that I wasn’t able to continue doing everything that I was doing if I did not also look after myself.  I had given up everything of myself, and given up all of me, however I realised it does not need to be so.”

How’s caring under Covid-19?

“Apart from the fact that some people have been affected really badly by Covid-19, I’m actually enjoying my current life under lockdown.  There’s lots more work and lots more challenges, but I have found ways to adapt.  Not being able to go out, my mother-in-law has less external social activity than she would normally have.  She can’t, for example, go to church and talk to people there.  But we’ve developed cognitive stimulation activities for Mum at home, involving physical and mental stimulation.  We’re in more of a controlled environment and in a less disruptive routine.  The faces around her are those that are familiar to Mum, and there’s more interaction with my husband, her son, being at home.  She is more relaxed and less confused and generally happier.”

What are the challenges that you’ve experienced caring?

“Apart from managing the physical, mental and emotional drain that comes with this role, the main challenge for me has been finding a balance between my caring role and keeping my self-identity.  I used to run my own jewellery business.  That’s on hold.  I had to move, and in doing so, lost my social circle.  I can’t just go out whenever I want as I need to work any social engagements around my caring role.”

“I’ve also learnt that its important not to beat myself up.  I’ve had to say to myself, that the decisions that we take to do with Mum’s care, are the right decisions for the moment.  And not to always worry about whether things can be done ‘better’.  Its really important to keep a balance, and to not feel guilty.”

What would you change, if you could change one thing about caring?

The financial support for carers from central government needs to be reviewed.  The Carers Allowance is very welcome, but its not realistic as a sole source of income for an unpaid full time carer.  As a fulltime carer, I had to give up my livelihood.  At the minimum of 35 hours of caring a week (in reality it is more hours than this), this equates to £1.77 an hour, which is way below the national minimum wage of £8.72.  Yet without the contribution that carers like myself make, it would put massive pressure on the system.

What support have you been able to get with your caring role?

“Islington Carers Hub have been able to give me information and guidance about respite opportunities.  This is useful. Its really important to develop a mindset that recognises the value of taking time out for myself.  Even if this is 5 mins within my day.  And to develop hobbies that I can do alongside my caring role.  I’ve been able to let my creative side come out through painting and drawing.  The work that ICH does is amazing, once you get to know about it.  I’ve been able to find out about training sessions, information, resources and peer support groups.

I’ve also been able to get help from the Islington Dementia Friendly Communities project, and give back to the project by taking part on the steering group.  The aim of this group is to make Islington a dementia-friendly borough, with a network of dementia friends, and putting on information sessions. It helps people to get to understand more about dementia, and to provide a safer environment for people living with dementia, and to have dementia-friendly establishments.  This is by making small changes.  It could be by turning down the music a little, or not just having signs to the toilet, but also back from the toilet.  Taking part in the project gives another dimension to my life and helps to give balance.

I have also had help and support from a number of other great organisations such as Alzheimer’s Society, Arts4Dementia, Clay for Dementia to name but a few. I very much encourage carers to seek support from organisations specialising in their area of special care needs and to not stop reaching out and asking for help. There is no shame in asking for help.

In my opinion, not everyone who is caring thinks of themselves as a carer – I initially felt it was my duty to take on this challenging role as a daughter-in-law especially as there was nobody else prepared to do so. I did not think of myself as a ‘formal carer’ but instead as family. Hence I did not realise that there was any support out there for me or indeed that I was not alone in this situation.

Lots of carers don’t recognise the massive contribution that they’re making or the support that is available to them.”

What are the positives about caring?

“Initially, it took some time for me to come to terms with my lifestyle changes but after embracing my role I have grown internally as a person through my journey as a carer.  It’s a challenging role and such a different situation from what I was used to. Giving someone a chance to live well is so important and rewarding.  In my opinion caring for someone is not just about providing basic care needs but also understanding the person and their condition and engaging positively with them, giving them a sense of worth, dignity and happiness. I have special memories that I will cherish forever.”

If you are an unpaid carer and want to find out what support is available see the Islington Carers Hub website.