“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 […]
The Myths of Mindfulness
Written by Kate Landreth, Education and Learning Lead with FCBC In the past year I completed an 8-week training in Mindfulness Self Compassion, and initially I was hesitant and skeptical about participating. While I practice and teach yoga and mindfulness daily, my concern with exploring mindfulness self-compassion was that it might erode my inner taskmaster […]
How do I find a therapist or counsellor?
You may feel you would like to talk with a therapist or counsellor, but do not know where to begin in your search. Therapy can be beneficial for caregivers who have become isolated, overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, or who lack support from others. However, it can also be preventative, part of a caregivers self-care and mental […]
Acknowledging Family Caregivers
May brings spring flowers. It’s also a time to acknowledge family caregivers and the vital role they play in our healthcare system and in the lives of their loved ones. While caregiving is unique to every person, it’s a common family experience. Almost 30 per cent of British Columbians are in a caregiving role. With […]
How to Help those Who Help Others
Most of us, at some point, will take part in the marathon of caregiving. It’s not usually something we anticipate, sign up for or train for, but it has become the new normal as our aging population enjoys life – prolonged by medical science while grappling with chronic disease. According to Statistics Canada, family caregivers […]
Strategies to Build Resiliency
Marilyn is 55 years old, works part-time in retail and has two teens at home. She currently cares for her partner who has chronic pain and a brain injury from a motor vehicle accident. She feels like the “linchpin” in her family and is the case manager for her partner and for her two children. […]
Are you a healthy caregiver?
Many caregivers understand the importance of caring for themselves and, yet, in another breath, say things like, “I feel overwhelmed,” “I’m stressed out,” “I’m too busy to eat, let alone find time to stay healthy,” and “There are so many things to do, how do I make time for myself?”
The Value of Peer Support
By Wendy Johnstone “New to the caregiver support group, I was so nervous and skeptical about attending. My doctor suggested I give it a try. They were all strangers to me; I wasn’t sure if I wanted to open up about my wife’s disease. As I walked to my car after the meeting, I felt […]
Summer Holidays
By Wendy Johnstone It’s that time again – summer holidays – and for myself that means a week long cycling trip in Oregon to recharge my batteries. Yes, this week’s column on caregivers taking holidays is a bit of a “re-run” from last summer. In my defense, I would argue some information is worth repeating […]
Balancing Work and Caregiving
You have a looming deadline at work and your mother is calling because your father has fallen yet again. You are notified by your mother’s housing provider to find immediate overnight care due to your mother’s dementia and wandering at night. When you arrive late for work after taking your dad to his medical appointment, […]
