MARGO Kendall knows how challenging caring for a loved one can be.
The Werribee resident has been a full-time carer to husband Neville since he had two strokes in February.
Speaking as part of this week’s Carers Week, Mrs Kendall says it has changed the dynamics of their relationship. “We were a team,” she says.
“Everything we did to the house, we did together. I am very lucky he has got another chance to live, but it feels like I have lost my best friend.”
Her new role means she has to rely on others to help do everyday tasks like shopping, banking and visiting the post office.
Often, it’s Mr Kendall’s close friends who look after him while his wife goes to the supermarket, with Wyndham Council’s aged care services able to provide Mrs Kendall with only two hours of respite each fortnight.
She also has to rely on Carers Victoria to provide someone to shower her husband on weekends, with the council service able to help out only Monday to Friday.
And while Mrs Kendall says her husband is very considerate, limited support for carers in Wyndham makes looking after him challenging.
“I am very grateful for the help I get given how stretched the services are here, but there needs to be more help for carers.
“My husband is a very thoughtful man who is concerned for me. He is a joy and not a demanding man but sometimes I need more help.
“We hear about the growth of Werribee but obviously the services and staff are really pushed to the limit. There is only so much they can do.”
Mrs Kendall, who has worked in palliative care and volunteered with groups such as Meals on Wheels, says while looking after her husband can be difficult, having him home is better than putting him in aged care.
“It would be a step backward for him. In aged care his quality of life could be worse.”
