C.A.R.E.S. Grant

Until you are living the life as a caregiver you really have no idea what the impact of this new reality will have on you. It is somewhat easier to ignore your needs to be strong for that person you are caring for. After 12 years of caring for my spouse, I found my voice when I received an email from Amy Friesen at Tea and Toast, and an invitation to apply for the CARES grant. She allowed me to share my story and to share what was missing in my life. I was no longer ashamed to admit my struggles.

My husband suffered a severe stroke in 2012, and in the early years, he showed some promising signs of mild recovery, and then Covid came, his care from his physiotherapy and doctors appointments reduced or disappeared. His children prioritized their family needs, goals, realities and struggles, and I became his sole support. His personality changed, His physical abilities declined further. He was no longer safe at home alone. I felt that I was losing connection with my family and friends and that my health was suffering.

I am so grateful to be the recipient of the Tea and Toast CARES grant which allowed me time to rest, recharge, and refocus, and to give me precious time with my elderly parents who live out of town and whom I haven’t seen in over a year due to our circumstances, I’m also extremely grateful to Rose Vaughan who was very helpful to me in navigating the many options of retirement community living, and to pinpoint a suitable and exceptional respite stay for my husband in a very comfortable and safe location at Wellington West retirement community. The entire team at Wellington West were kind, passionate, caring, friendly, social, and professional , and my husband left with tears running down his cheeks, much to the surprise of the nursing staff who didn’t always see his best side

We ended up extending his stay from 2 weeks to 4. And the result for me was noticeable by my friends, who remarked I looked 10 years younger,Thank you again Amy, for making me feel heard, for understanding my struggles, and for facilitating a positive path forward for my husband and I.