We’re exploring something a bit different although adjacent and relevant to past topics on healthy aging: caregiving for seniors. Whether you’ve been hired as a professional to support a client, or you’re a relative or community member providing support for someone in your life, the role of caregiver comes with considerable responsibility. Many people may find themselves in a caregiving role by a sudden and unexpected turn of events, while others have a plan in place. It may also be worthwhile to consider this information for yourself, and how this may impact your future care plans as you age. Caregiving is a vital role that requires stamina, compassion, and most importantly, community support.

It’s not enough to simply say “the caregiver needs care too” - this doesn’t account for the reality of caregiving that can often be a 24 hour/day, 7 day/week full-time + job, especially if the caregiver is tending to a family member, and doing it alone. The burn-out stats for caregivers are astronomical, with upwards of 75% of caregivers reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety, exhaustion, and social withdrawal, particularly among those navigating care for clients or family members with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

If you know a caregiver in your neighbourhood, please consider offering some of your time and energy to provide them with support or a break - especially if they don’t reach out to you or if they appear to be doing “ok”. Everyone needs a break sometimes!

The following is an excerpt of helpful advice for folks caring for the caregiver, from Caregiving.com by Bobbi Carducci - https://www.caregiving.com/content/stop-telling-caregivers-to-take-care-of-themselves-first

“Acknowledge it takes more than one person to provide constant care. Set up and maintain a schedule of regular visits to the caregiver and the one in care in order to make sure both are doing okay. Spend the night once a month so the caregiver can enjoy some uninterrupted sleep.

Take over routine tasks like grocery shopping, vacuuming, getting the car inspected, cutting the grass, or doing the taxes. If you cook, make extra and deliver an easy to heat up meal now and then.

Spend time with the person in care so he or she is comfortable with you so the caregiver can go to their own doctor appointment, get a haircut, or simply spend a few quiet moments to themselves.*

Understand that someone with dementia may seem fine during your visit and confused and combative when you leave. The caregiver is not exaggerating the seriousness of the situation. Listen and allow the caregiver to vent.

Even the smallest bit of help can make an enormous difference to one who is doing the best they can to cope with a devastating illness that challenges the caregiver and the one in care every single day.

To help caregivers deal with stress, forget the lists and go to them and say, “I know this is hard, I appreciate what you are doing, and I’m here to help.”


RESOURCE: Family Caregivers of British Columbia
https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/
Family Caregivers of BC (FCBC) is a provincial, not-for-profit organization that proudly and compassionately supports over one million people in British Columbia who provide physical and/or emotional care to a family member, friend, or neighbour. FCBC supports caregivers by providing access to information, education and supports so that caregivers feel more confident and successful in their important role.

RESOURCE: Caregiver Support Line
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/resources/caregiver-support-line
For clarity, further questions and help call our Caregiver Support Line at 1-877-520-3267 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 8:30 am – 7:00 pm Tuesday and Thursday.

RESOURCE: Federal Government Caregiver Program
https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/results-by-topic.asp?top=28

RESOURCE: Carers Canada
https://www.carerscanada.ca/
Carers Canada is a national coalition dedicated to increasing recognition and support for caregivers. Through collaborative engagement, members work to build awareness and recognition of the role of caregivers and the challenges they face. Carers Canada leads federal advocacy initiatives and national awareness campaigns. A founding member of the International Alliance of Carer Organizations, Carers Canada is part of a global initiative championing caregivers’ rights. Carers Canada is a priority program of the Canadian Home Care Association. The vision in forming Carers Canada is the creation of a society that recognizes, respects and values the integral role of caregivers for our health and social care systems and to our country’s economic well-being.

RESOURCE: Caregiver Toolkit
https://www.tevacanada.com/en/canada/support-for-caregivers/caregiver-resources/
Downloadable worksheets and documents including a self-care plan, handbook, self-assessments, and setting healthy boundaries as a caregiver

LISTEN: New Initiative Offers Long Overdue Mental Health Support for Caregivers https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-112-ontario-morning/clip/16050281-a-initiative-offers-long-overdue-mental-health-social-support

LISTEN: Podcast // The Dementia Journey: A Caregiver’s Toolkit
https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast/episode-16-the-dementia-journey-a-caregivers-toolkit

READ: Overview of Financial Resources, Benefits and Credits for Caregivers
https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Guide-to-Financial-Assistance-for-Caregivers-2024-AY.pdf

READ: Siblings Sharing The Care
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/resources/siblings-sharing-the-care

COURSE: McMaster University Continuing Education Online Course: Caregiving Essentials *Last day to register is July 19, 2024
https://continuing.mcmaster.ca/programs/health-social-services/caregiving-essentials/

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*Please note, the original article printed the original quotation:
"Spend time with the person in care so he or she is comfortable with you so the caregiver can go to her own doctor appointment, get a haircut, or simply spend a few quiet moments to herself."