Supporting Family Caregivers

Believe Us, You Are Not Alone

Despite its rewards, serving as a senior’s primary caregiver can be demanding and stressful. Many others are in the same situation. In a 2007 Ipsos-Reid survey, one in three Canadians aged 45–60 reported being caregivers for aging family members. Family and friends provide an estimated 80 per cent of senior care.

There are many resources available to you. In the interest of your overall health—and that of your family and the person you are caring for—don’t approach caregiving responsibilities as if you are alone.

Respite Care: Relief for the Family

No matter how much you love the person you are caring for, you need regular breaks from caregiving. Non-stop caregiving will drain your energy and take a toll on your physical, mental and emotional health.

If you won’t do it for yourself, please consider that respite care also benefits the person you are caring for. After a break, you return with your batteries recharged—refreshed and more effective.

A respite could be a day away with friends, an afternoon of personal errands, or an exercise break. Or it could be a vacation—away from it all.

You can find relief from numerous sources:

• Relatives and friends who can step in as needed
• Professional in-home senior care providers, such as Comfort Keepers^®
• Churches and other volunteer organizations
• Adult day programs and centres
• Organizations such as the Alzheimer Society of Canada
• Often, family and friends want to help; they just don’t know how. As a caregiver, you can make it easier on them—and yourself—by keeping a list of tasks ready, such as preparing meals, picking up a few things at the grocery store, going for a walk with your loved one, or staying with them from time to time.

Before planning respite care, talk with your loved one about it, explaining the upside for everyone. To help your loved one accept the idea, involve them in making the arrangements.

Respite care helps a primary caregiver keep life in balance and benefits everyone involved—the caregiver, the loved one, and the family.

How to Care for Yourself and Prevent Caregiver Burnout

Besides scheduling regular respites, Comfort Keepers recommends the following to relieve stress and maintain optimal health:

• Exercise—make it part of your schedule for added energy.
• Get plenty of sleep—at least seven hours.
• Eat regular, well-balanced meals.
• Maintain contact with friends for essential emotional support.
• Stay involved in hobbies and social activities.
• Join a support group for encouragement and practical advice.
• Seek support through your faith and faith community, which can be a good source of volunteer caregiving help.
• Visit your doctor regularly and share concerns you have about the effects of caregiving on your physical, mental and emotional health.
• Take time to pamper yourself—such as a warm bath, a manicure or a massage.
• Laugh. Find humour in everyday situations and take time with a humorous book or movie.
• Keep a journal to record your thoughts and feelings; it provides an important emotional release.
• Arrange for a family member, friend or volunteer from a church or senior centre to call you regularly to see if you need help.
• Confide in others. Don’t bottle up your emotions.
• Know your limits. Be realistic about how much time you can give to caregiving, and don’t be afraid to delegate.
• Learn as much as you can about caregiving and your loved one’s needs or illness. The more you know, the more effective—and satisfied—you can be.

How a Support Group Can Help You

Community Support Groups…

• Get you out of the house on a regular basis and help prevent isolation.
• Put you face-to-face with other caregivers who know what you are dealing with. From their experience, they can offer relevant advice.
• Offer information about local resources available to help you.
• Open opportunities for new friendships.

Internet Support Groups…

• Enable you to get support and advice as needed and when convenient for you.
• Provide support without your having to leave the house, which can be particularly helpful for those with limited transportation or mobility.
• Provide the experience and knowledge of a broader pool of participants, which can be especially helpful if your loved one has a rare medical condition and special care needs.

Caregiver Support and Advice on the Web

You will find a wealth of online resources to provide caregiving support and advice. Here are a few examples:

• Strength for Caring, Johnson and Johnson’s resource centre for caregivers.
• Lotsa Helping Hands, a site that allows family and friends to coordinate caregiving tasks online.
• Carers Canada, a national coalition dedicated to increasing recognition and support for caregivers.
• Helpguide.org, which offers practical guidance on mental health and caregiving.