Jolanda van der Velden is the informal caregiver of 89-year-old Toos from Oosterhout. When Toos’ daughter Chantal could no longer care for her mother due to a hernia, Jolanda came to the rescue. On Monday she was presented with a special Mantel Ribbon. “Jolanda deserves it because she works with passion, has her heart in the right place and is always there for my parents, and also for me,” says Chantal.
There are an estimated 300,000 informal caregivers in Brabant. This year, 3,500 of them will receive a Mantel Ribbon for the first time for their efforts and support. Jolanda van der Velden is one of them. She has been working at GoodDays as an informal care assistant for a year. She thinks it is special that she has received a green-purple ribbon. “It’s really beautiful.”
“I have gained a mother through this work.”
What makes the situation between Jolanda and Toos extra special is that they are not related. Most informal caregivers are. Previously, Chantal, Toos’ daughter, was her informal caregiver. When she could no longer do this, Jolanda took over the care.
Together they drink coffee, play cards, go shopping and go to the hospital. Jolanda also sleeps over regularly to give Toos extra help. For her, Toos feels like coming home. “I have gained a new mother through this work,” says Jolanda.
Chantal applied for the Mantel Ribbon for Jolanda. “Because she works with passion, has her heart in the right place and is always there for my parents, and also for me.”
“We cannot live without family or loved ones, but we can support them.”
Jolanda’s employer is happy with the appreciation for informal caregivers. “The informal caregivers and employees are put in the spotlight with the ribbons for the wonderful work they do,” says Meral Bakker of GoodDays. “But it also shows that informal care does not have to be done by family alone.”
According to Bakker, the organization regularly receives crying people who can no longer cope. “Then we support them, so that they can get some rest again.”
The goal is for informal caregivers to survive longer. Informal care assistants also help with cleaning, for example. “This way, when children come to visit, they can simply be children again with their parents,” Bakker explains. “We cannot live without family or loved ones, but we can support them.”
After the presentation of the ribbon and a piece of cake, Jolanda and Toos spent the rest of the afternoon playing cards.