Care for Yourself
Dear Caregiver,
We have put together a collection of articles from various sources to help support you in your role as family caregiver. You will find these articles under the heading ‘Recommended’ and the video resources listed below.
In sharing this with you we hope you will find something useful to sustain you in this role.
You are learning first hand that the role of caregiver is a demanding one both physically and emotionally. While you are caring for others you must not lose sight of the need to care for yourself.
Those caregivers who do not pay attention to this often become isolated, angry, depressed and even ill from their role as a family caregiver.
We urge you to consider the need to care for yourself as you care for your loved one. This is not a selfish act. It is an act of self-preservation. This is how you avoid burnout and continue to meet the expectations of those who depend on you on an ongoing basis.
Discussing issues with other caregivers can be therapeutic, liberating and energizing. We invite you to submit your own self-care ideas.
If there is anything that you question or would like to understand in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Good luck on your journey!
Sincerely,
Boomertoboomeronline.ca
Video Resources:
The Face of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Association Education Video
Caring for the Elderly on LIVING SMART
I don’t consider myself a “caregiver” but I do spend a lot of time with my in-laws to help them out whenever I can. I try to go to their home at least every second day to check up on them and see if there is help needed with anything. We bring them meals, help with electronic problems such as the t.v and computer. they are both 86. They still live together in their own home. One is physically strong and the other mentally strong. Together they are still o.k with help from the family.
January 11th, 2010 at 2:08 pmWhat about people looking after their elderly parents that don’t have family help? Where do they turn for help?
What about the elderly living alone and have no family help?
Are there programs that provide help with shopping for food, shoveling snow, cleaning the house, etc.?
These are all good questions Marie and I have put some suggestions regarding resources for each situation below. Each case would have to be looked at and assessed individually.
What about people looking after their elderly parents that don’t have family help? Where do they turn for help?
Everyone caring for an aging parent, or any elderly parent for that matter, should make it a point to contact the local Community Care Access Centre (CCAC).
We have a direct link to CCAC (http://www.ccac-ont.ca) on this site under ‘Useful Links’.
CCAC will assess each case individually. They will then make recommendations based on care through CCAC service providers and/or local resources. There may be a fee connected with the latter but subsidies are also available in many cases.
CCAC can also, in some instances, arrange for respite care for family caregivers by placing the person they are caring for into a long-term care facility for a short period of time. This is often done when family caregivers go on vacation.
For more information on CCAC services and how these work, please refer to our ‘Demystifying the CCAC’ link under ‘Forums’ on the left.
If the financial situation allows, private in-home care is another alternative that can help take the load off family caregivers. This can be used in many different ways and in connection with any services provided through CCAC. You can ask the private company for recommendations that will keep costs to a minimum. Many offer a free, initial consultation to assess how their services can best meet each situation.
What about the elderly living alone and have no family help?
All of the above applies, but after a point the safest environment for someone living on their own will be a long-term care facility. Placement in long-term care facilities is managed through CCAC.
Are there programs that provide help with shopping for food, shoveling snow, cleaning the house, etc.?
On the home page of the CCAC web site there is a link to the ‘310-CCAC’ search feature which helps you find specific local services in your community or general area. As mentioned above, there is usually a fee/subsidies for these programs.
With regard to meals, another alternative is for family members to take turns preparing individual serving-sized meals that can be frozen and used as needed.
January 12th, 2010 at 8:23 amAlso, anyone who is a war Veteran should contact Veteran’s Affairs as they provide a multitude of services including such things as snow removal and cleaning.
Thanks so much for asking these questions!
I am sure the suggestions we’ve provided here will be helpful to other boomers.
BoomertoBoomerOnline
I am a caregiver for my mother who suffers from various illnesses. My friend gave me information about CCAC. I was surprised to learn that lot of Services are free of charge. Thanks to my friend suggestion and CCAC I have more time for myself and lot less stress.
January 20th, 2010 at 5:33 pm