Caregiving is a universal experience that transcends boundaries, social statuses, and professional titles—even the world’s biggest celebrities are not immune.
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 […]
Whenever a new year arrives, it’s natural to get into “resolution” mode. You start thinking about what you want to achieve and you might even start committing to paper a plan to reach those achievements. Whether you consider them resolutions or goals, one thing is for sure: As a caregiver, you should definitely be setting […]
Caregivers and their care recipients rely on provincial healthcare systems and organizations more than other Canadians. For some, their daily lives can seem like a never-ending sequence of shuffling back and forth between different health and caregiving professionals. Patient-centered care can help your loved one and you navigate the care system more easily. While there has […]
Caregivers can make a critical difference in the quality of health care a loved receives when they leave the hospital to go home. Knowing what to expect, staying informed, and making key preparations will be vital in ensuring that few or no adverse events take place and that there is no need for readmittance to the hospital. […]
You’ve probably heard that being a family caregiver is one of the greatest acts of love and kindness. It can be extremely rewarding, including helping to prolong a close parent-child bond and setting an example for the next generation. Unfortunately, caregiving can also be fraught with unpredictability, anxiety, guilt, hopelessness, and financial burden. Added together, […]
In Canada, there are currently more than seven million people aged 65 and older. It is the fastest-growing demographic in the country. Millions of seniors — and the organizations that serve them — rely on volunteers. In 2018, more than 24 million Canadians aged 15 and older volunteered, giving about five billion hours to their […]
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 […]
One of the biggest concerns for family caregivers is feeling overlooked, demeaned, or dismissed in care settings. While they often have first-hand knowledge of their loved ones’ needs, they find that their contributions to care discussions are not valued. The good news is that there is growing awareness of the need to include family caregivers […]
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 […]