Introduction: Caring for a loved one can be a deeply fulfilling experience, but it can also take a toll on the caregiver’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Caregiver strain, also known as caregiver burnout, is a common phenomenon that affects many individuals who devote themselves to the care of others. In this blog post, we will […]
Nearly eight million Canadians ages 15 and older are caregivers for a family member or friend. Like many other caregivers of any age, they provide this support out of love, compassion, and a sense of responsibility. However, their contributions, experiences and needs are often overlooked in conversations about caregiving in this country. Some refer to […]
Cold temperatures, snow, ice and longer dark hours present different challenges for caregivers and their loved ones. Add flu season and the lingering Covid 19 pandemic to the mix, and winter has the potential to become even more of a threat. It’s essential to be prepared to tackle the season head-on as an effective caregiver. Here are […]
Hiring an in-home, professional caregiver can be a daunting task. You want — and need — the help, but you might be reluctant to hand the reins over to a total stranger. It’s understandable. However, a comprehensive set of questions to ask caregivers during an interview will help to smooth the path. No doubt, you […]
12 Secrets of the Most Effective Caregivers Whether you are new to caregiving or you have been doing it for a while, you might be wondering if there are any secrets to being an effective caregiver. After all, it’s not a role you take lightly, and you want to avoid common pitfalls. Caregiving can […]
Why It’s Important to Identify as a Caregiver So, you think you are a caregiver, but do you really identify as one? A study revealed that just 42 percent of caregivers self-identified. Thirty-five percent of them did not comprehend they were caregivers until someone explained the role to them. Even more concerning, 24 percent […]
End of Life: What Family Caregivers Can Do to Elevate Patient-Centered Care Few things mean more to many of us than having our loved ones around us when we die. In many cases, that means family members who are also our caregivers. Dying can be extremely stressful and deeply saddening, especially if you are […]
Balancing Work and Caregiving Nearly 1 in 20 family caregivers reduce the hours they work or quit working entirely to care for a loved one, according to a study published in The Journals of Gerontology. Taking into consideration the number of caregivers in Alberta — about 1 million — that translates into about 50,000 caregivers […]
Caregivers are Essential Partners in Care. Let’s Treat Them That Way. It’s difficult to imagine how nearly 25 percent of the Canadian population has been so overlooked for so long. That figure — or 7.8 million people — represents how many family caregivers there are among people aged 15 and older in Canada. On a […]
Anticipatory grief, which is linked to caregiver burden, is when you grieve a loss before it happens. Learn how you can cope Everyone will lose someone in their lifetime and grief is the natural response. Anticipatory grief, however, is grieving ahead of time before your loved one has passed. It can be felt by patients, […]