'I fear for the future,' woman moves from Alta. to Sask. to care for ailing mom

As a part of our continuing provincial election coverage, CBC News is putting a face to some of the issues people in this province are concerned about before they vote. Here is oneof their personal stories.

Julie Arcand said she had it all a $37-an-hour job working in the Alberta oilfields and her mother was in good health.

Now, she's lost most of it.

"For the past year and a couple months, I've been looking after my mom who was recently diagnosed with vascular dementia," Arcand said. "It's been an actual nightmare."

• Saskatchewan Votes:Full campaign coverage
• Saskatchewan Poll Tracker:Check out the latest numbers
• Results dashboard: customize and personalize your election night

The two live together in a trailer home in Martensville, Sask. Arcand said there's no one else in her family who can look after her mother, so now she's become her full-time caregiver. She cooks every meal, takes care of all health concerns and entertains her mom daily.

"There's some days where she's really confused and doesn't remember the name of her kids and getting any support is brutal," she said.

Arcand said she feels alone and isn't getting the proper support.

"The governments don't seem to have any programs for us adult children looking after our parents," she said.

"My story is probably just like everyone else's. I'm sure there are thousands of people out there like me. We need help. We can't get any help. It's a nightmare. Like, I was independent and now I'm looking after my mother. And basically we're looking after each other because I have no income."

• Vote Compass: Much concern over senior care in Saskatchewan

Arcand said she hasn't heard much during the provincial election campaign about senior care and supports for adults who look after their parents.

"I fear for the futurebecause we're all going to be at that point some day and what's going to happen to us?"

People will head to the polls on April 4.