By Aaron Yukich, Caregiver Support Line (CSL) Coordinator, FCBC
For many family/friend caregivers, embarking on the caregiving journey is a life transition full of unseen challenges and uncertainty. Many of us are stepping into this role for the first time, without any training or roadmap to lead the way. Heading into these uncharted waters can feel overwhelming and downright scary.
There would have been a time when basic knowledge around caregiving for the sick and dying would have been passed down through generations of extended family and close-knit communities. The caregiving load would have also been shared by various family members and within the community. Today, however, the shift towards nuclear family households and institutionalized care has left a break in this chain of knowledge, leaving many family/friend caregivers to figure things out on their own. Add to this the challenges currently experienced within our healthcare system and a lack of support for caregivers, and it is no wonder that family/friend caregivers often find themselves facing feelings of overwhelm.
The good news is there is a growing awareness of the need for more education and support for caregivers, and community agencies such as Family Caregivers of BC (FCBC) have made it their mission to help fill these gaps. At FCBC, we not only act as a resource for connecting caregivers with community resources, system navigation, and emotional support (through our one-to-one services), but also as a builder of peer-oriented support communities amongst caregivers. We recognize how important it is to reconnect with the tradition of caregiving in the community and the support and knowledge transmission that comes with it. This is why at FCBC we are proud to offer caregivers access to a wide range of peer support groups provincewide.
Peer support groups are in-person or virtual spaces, hosted by a trained facilitator, where caregivers come together and share their experiences in a safe and supportive environment. It’s an opportunity to feel heard and validated by people who are treading a similar path. It’s also a place where tears and vulnerability are standard currency and venting one’s frustrations is met with attentive ears. It is often very reassuring to go from feeling completely alone with an experience to hearing another caregiver say, “me too!” Support groups are also places to discover useful tips and ideas from people who may be further along on their caregiving journey, offering firsthand information on helpful resources and different perspectives on how to care for the care recipient as well as yourself as caregiver.
It is often very reassuring to go from feeling completely alone with an experience to hearing another caregiver say, ‘me too!’
Support groups allow caregivers to step away from focusing on the needs of the care recipient and enter a space that is dedicated to honouring their own needs. We know from years of research that peer support is helpful, contributing to an overall improvement in health, with decreased feelings of isolation, depression and anxiety. This sense of community not only helps prevent caregiver burnout but also enables caregivers to provide their care recipient with a higher level of care.
We invite you to explore the benefits of joining a group as part of your overall investment in your well-being. There are many across B.C. – in person locally, or online for anyone regardless of where you live in the province. Some are condition/disease-specific, and some are general for all family or friend caregivers.
FIND A SUPPORT GROUP Call the B.C. Caregiver Support Line at: 1-877-520-3267 Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 4:00 pm