About

Hello lovely people,

My name is Jo, a 35 year old Carer, from Medway, Kent. 

So, why am I a Carer, and more importantly, will I be a good Carer for your loved one? That's what you really want to know, right?

I come from a family full of 2 types of people, gardeners and Carers. My Dad was a Carer for his Mum, and my Mum was a Carer for her Dad and in a professional setting. Some of us in the family have cared for family full time, and some of us have cared for family and as a professional. So it is pretty safe to say that I have grown up with it and it is in my blood. My first experience of this, was when my Granddad had bone cancer when i was around 4, and my Mum and i would go and stay and look after him at home for long periods of time. I'd be there with my little nurses uniform on and my box of tricks to make Granddad all better. When i was older, I helped to care for my Nan on occasion, who was blind and had Dementia. 

Sadly, when i was quite young, my Dad became ill with Emphysema and COPD, which meant that from my teens, upto my early 30's, my role as Dad's Carer progressed. In this time he had a bilateral lung reduction, which also placed a lot of strain on him. He became terminally ill at Christmas in 2018, after a nasty infection he contracted in hospital, which led to Ischemic heart and lung failure. This was when my role became more important than ever. I was lucky enough to live next door to him (for over 10 years), which was fantastic, as i needed to be on hand 24/7 and go in through the night. The main aim, being that he could stay in his own home, with his animals, until the end, which is what he wanted, instead of going into a home. I am very proud to say that is how, and where he went. In his own bed, at home, with his animals, on Christmas Eve morning, 2020.

'Been There Care', means exactly that. I have been there, lived it, cried it, became totally overwhelmed by it, and, most of all, changed by it. So who better to look after your loved one, and support you through the toughest time of your lives, than someone who has been in your shoes?

Frustrated with the system, lack of support, medication changes, deterioration, carer burn out? I understand, believe me i do.

My main aims as a Carer are - 

1. To help you recharge
2. To support your loved one, so they can be as happy, comfortable, healthy, stimulated, seen, heard and settled as much as possible.
3. To aid in anyway I can, to help slow down their condition
4. To help you keep your loved one at home as long as possible
5. To hold your hand through an awful time
6. To put a smile on your face or give you a cuddle when needed

Sadly too many Carers do not Care, but I can promise you that I am not one of those. I am in it for the long haul, with everything I've got.