Our latest FCBC webinar is now posted online: Self-Reflection: The Basis of Being an Empathic Caregiver In this webinar, Dr Michelle Lobchuk spoke about self-reflection in empathy driven person-centered dementia care and communication, and helped helped caregivers identify empathy as both an individual act and as a social act.
Leaning in to Communicating with Workplaces
Did you know that right now, over 6 million Canadians combine paid work with some level of unpaid care? Many working caregivers say they wish they had more support from their workplaces to manage work and caregiving. As a working caregiver, communicating effectively with our workplaces becomes an important piece of what we do. This […]
Facebook Live: The Power of Saying NO
Saying no can create room for us to focus on our mental and emotional health and create space for our self-care strategies. Saying no isn’t always easy and takes practice (and being kind to ourselves), but there are ways to make the process a bit easier. Here are some further resources to help you on […]
Finding and Using Your Voice
Written by Wendy Johnstone, Provincial Program Consultant and Gerontologist with Family Caregivers of BC and originally published in Inspired 55+ Lifestyle Magazine. Alison was enjoying early retirement knowing that her differently-abled adult son, Michael, was living independently in his apartment in another city, supporting himself with a job he had held for many years. Then, […]
A Caregiver’s Story of Perspective, Patience and Timing
By BKN, A Family Caregiver Me at the window: “It’s nice and sunny today.” My husband looks and says: “Bullsh*t! That’s fog.” In 2014, my husband had a hemorrhagic stroke. Today, mostly recovered, he is physically able and retains important skills such as speech, walking, eating, and self-hygiene. However, his mild dementia includes confusion, vision […]
The Embrace of a Caring Circle
By Jim LaMorte, Friend Caregiver I care about a caregiver, and I am not alone. There are a lot of us, and last year we all faced the same problem of how to help. Here is our story about the Caring Circle that grew around two friends in pain. Let’s call them Art and Grace. […]
Part 1: Why Boundary Setting is Important for Caregivers
“You have to be able to set boundaries, otherwise the rest of the world is telling you who you are and what you should be doing. You can still be a nice person and set boundaries.” – Oprah Winfrey One of the most common challenges that we hear from caregivers is how difficult it is […]
Caregiver’s Voice: Part 3 in a 3-Part Series of Taking Stock
Caregiving is now a common experience, however roles and activities can be very different from one caregiver to the next. Caregiving is dynamic, and it can move in different directions at any given time. Encouraging caregivers to use their voice, especially astheir role expands, can improve their own situation and the care team’s ability to […]
Creating Wellness When it Seems Impossible
When I’m working with a caregiver over the phone and I hear them struggling to prioritize their needs or find the time and energy to keep well, it’s incredibly difficult for me to respond with: “Put your own oxygen mask on first before helping the person you are caring for.” It’s one thing for […]
Creating Connections in the Community
Many caregivers feel alone in their role and responsibility. In the research, social isolation is identified as one of the highest risk factors experienced by family caregivers. It’s also what friends, family and professionals frequently observe. Yet, it can also the be the hardest area to change or improve.