Caring for a loved one can be very stressful. Logeerhuis Kapstok in Venray is a guest house where informal carers can bring their partner or parent.
The caregiver is ‘always on’ and that is sometimes underestimated, says Judith Geelen of Logeerhuis Kapstok. “Some go too far at the expense of themselves.”
accommodate
The guest house in Venray has room for six guests. For seven years, informal carers have been able to accommodate their loved ones here for a few days. “It is certainly a matter of trust. You leave your most ‘valuable possession’ with us. It only works if a carer dares to let go. Then the person can relax for a while and can recharge at home,” says Geelen.
balance
Tina Bergs is 94 years old. She lives in Kessel with her daughter and son-in-law. “I’m still quite fit, but I don’t like to stay alone because I’m a heart patient.”
Daughter Gerdy has been taking care of the daily care tasks for several years now. “Of course you do and my mother is very easy, but it is not always easy to find a good balance between your own life and the informal care.”
Holidays
Twice a year Gerdy brings her mother from Kessel to Venray. “Sometimes a few days and sometimes a little longer so that I can go on holiday with my husband.”
The guest house in Venray is now familiar to Tina. She knows the volunteers and the mostly regular guests who stay there every now and then. “It also makes me feel good that my daughter doesn’t have to pay attention to me for a while.”
Independent
Logeerhuis Kapstok works with volunteers who have experience as carers. Geelen: “There is a limit to what we can provide as care. In principle, for example, our guests have to shower and go to the toilet themselves. If that is not possible, we will look for a solution with their own home care. You often see that they don’t have that, because the caregiver does everything.”
Social Support Act
Logeerhuis Kapstok has contracts with seven municipalities in North Limburg. If it has been tested that a caregiver has worked overtime and is entitled to respite care, then the stay in the guest house will be reimbursed on the basis of the Social Support Act (WMO).