Letter to the Editor

April 4 is National Family Caregiver Day. This is a special day that recognizes and celebrates the valuable work done by caregivers in our communities. It is also an ideal time to highlight the needs and services that support caregivers in the East Kootenay.

Caregiving is a life-stage we all may face at one time or another. Many of us will be involved in caring for an adult with some type of disability or an older loved one with a chronic illness – such as heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease or cancer – or other issues that come with aging such as a broken hip from a fall, hearing impairment, memory loss, etc. Given this reality, it is important to understand the challenges as well as the supports available in our community.

It should be recognized that caregiving is hard work. Caregivers face many challenges in balancing life and family while juggling the role of caregiver. Trying to meet everyone’s needs can often lead to burnout, stress and isolation. Furthermore, navigating the system as a caregiver can be confusing and frustrating. Therefore, an important aspect of caregiving is caring for oneself.

In my role as the Program manager for the Caregivers Network for East Kootenay Seniors, I’ve talked to caregivers throughout the East Kootenay and have noticed that caregivers tend to take care of everyone else – spouse, children, career/job – but often place themselves last. As a result, caregiver’s needs are often overlooked and not prioritized. This can explain why so many caregivers become ill. In fact, caregivers are more likely than the general population to develop multiple chronic illnesses earlier in life and can suffer increased stress and a syndrome known as “caregiver burn-out.”

It is important to remember that if a caregiver becomes ill or run down, there may not be anyone to care for those most vulnerable. Therefore, it is important to have a plan to maintain caregiver health and wellness:

– Keep those doctor appointments.

– Try to stick to a healthy nutrition plan.

– Get some form of exercise even if it is just a few minutes of walking a day to relieve stress.

– Stay connected to friends and activities to help your own well-being.

– Join a support group. The Caregivers Network for East Kootenay Seniors offers support groups for caregivers of seniors in Cranbrook, Creston, Kimberley, Fernie, Invermere and Golden. We also offer a Toll-Free support line 1-877-489-0803 to allow caregivers to access vital information and support.

Make a resolution to take charge and feel empowered. Develop a caregiving plan that works for you, focus on self-care, and reach out for support – help is available.

As a community, we can show our appreciation for caregivers on Tuesday, April 4 in celebration of National Caregivers Day. Often small gestures can mean the most. Simply asking a caregiver if they need help is a great place to start. Treat a caregiver to a coffee break. Or, volunteer to provide some respite care, and allow a caregiver a well-deserved break. Some caregivers have a hard time asking for help. Offer to help a caregiver you know with a task you can take on. This could be anything from preparing a meal, driving to appointments, or maybe cutting the grass. There is a lot we can do to support the caregivers in our community.

Let’s start by recognizing them on National Family Caregiver Day by showing our appreciation and support.

Tobi Johnston,

M.A., M.S.W. Program Manager for the Caregivers Network for East Kootenay Seniors

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