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Caregiving
Caregiving is one of the greatest gifts we can provide a loved one. But it also involves many challenges to the health, well-being and financial security of caregivers. Eighty percent of older adults and people with long-term health issues are cared for at home by family and friends. Can you relate? Read more below.
Stay connected! Family caregivers of people with dementia may benefit from online and telephone support
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Caring for the psychological health of caregivers: Acceptance and commitment therapy
Are you a caregiver for someone with a chronic health condition? Acceptance and commitment therapy (aka ACT) can hold benefits for your psychological health. -
Getting a head start! Are there benefits to implementing early-stage strategies for caregivers of people with cognitive impairments?
Learn about early-stage strategies that may help you as a caregiver for a person with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. -
Violence against family caregivers: Symptom of the disease or abuse?
We often hear about cases of older adults being victims of poor care, being neglected or being financially abused by their family caregivers. But sometimes, it is the family caregiver who is a victim. How can we determine if this is the symptoms of a disease or an act of abuse? -
Being the grandparent of a disabled child: Between adaptation and resilience
Expecting the arrival of a grandchild is a great source of joy and excitement. But the joy and excitement are sometimes turned upside down when their grandchild is born with a disability or if a disability is revealed during infancy. How do grandparents receive such news and how do they experience the difference of their grandchild? -
Family involvement with nursing homes following placement of a relative living with dementia
An estimated 50 million people worldwide are living with dementia, a number that is expected to triple to 152 million by 2050. In high-income countries, about half of all people with dementia are cared for in nursing homes. Placing a loved one in a nursing home is not an easy decision and families often wish to be engaged as care partners in nursing homes. -
The crucial role of caregivers in emergency preparedness
Caregivers are an invaluable resource: they are expected to provide care, support, facilitate navigation through health and social systems, and advocate for their loved ones. The role of caregivers is crucial, especially during disasters and as we have seen with the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about the experiences of caregivers during emergencies. -
Evidence-based considerations around long-term care
The decision to transition yourself or a loved one to a long-term care facility is not an easy one. Luckily, research exists to help you learn about your long-term care options and support you through the decision-making process. -
3 research-based benefits to being involved in conversations about your health – part 2
Keep ‘em coming! Research outlines even more benefits to being involved in conversations and decision making around your own health or the health of a loved one. -
The other side of the screen
Although no robust systematic review could be identified about zoom fatigue among older adults and the general population, experts have raised a red flag. The overuse of virtual communication platforms could lead to cognitive distortions and non-verbal overload inherent in video communication. This could even increase feelings of isolation and anxiety. -
Emotional closeness between grandparents and grandchildren
Sometimes a unique bond develops between grandparents and their grandchildren. But what factors can influence this emotional closeness, and what impact can it have on grandparents and grandchildren? -
Heading home from the hospital? Caregivers can play an important role in the discharge process
Are you are a caregiver to an older adult? Learn more about the importance of collaborating with the health care team in hospital-discharge planning for your loved one. -
Caregivers: Unsung heroes of the pandemic
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has put pressures on all of us, but among all those affected since the start of the pandemic, one group has met incredible challenges: caregivers. Read more for a few helpful tips for supporting caregivers through these challenging times. -
Grieving experiences in the context of a pandemic: how to support individual and collective grief
In recent months, voices have been raised calling for a national strategy to support mass grieving and bereavement during the current and future pandemics. But what programs and services could be put in place to support those who must cope with the loss of a loved one during pandemics? -
3 research-based benefits to being involved in conversations about your health
Why is being involved in discussions and decision-making about your own health important? Research highlights three benefits for individuals and their caregivers. -
Are you a caregiver? Support may be just a “couple of clicks” away!
Amid a global pandemic that calls for physical distancing, do caregivers of older adults have to cope on their own? The research shows that online support services can be a beneficial alternative. -
Grandparents raising grandchildren: Social support needed
A large number of grandparents are the primary caregiver of their grandchildren. While raising your grandchildren may be one of the most rewarding experiences, some grandparents may require additional social support to effectively play their role. -
Isolation and remoteness: Supporting family caregivers in hard-to-reach communities
Family caregivers in hard-to-reach communities are at greater risk of unequal access to health and social services. How can we support them? -
Going home: Plan your transition before being discharged
Going home from the hospital can be both an exciting and stressful time for patients and their caregivers. Make sure that you play an active role in planning your transition back home. -
Barriers to respite: Why do caregivers of people with dementia not use respite services?
Many of people with dementia live in residential and long-term care facilities, but others are living at home with support from their caregivers. Despite the burden and distress of these caregivers, many do not use existing respite services. -
Day centers: Safe and stimulating environments for older adults living with a loss of autonomy
Many older adults and caregivers are benefiting from day centres, which offer programs of activities in professional care settings. Learn about the purposes of day centres, who benefits from them and how are they perceived. -
Empowering caregivers
Despite their critical roles, caregivers often feel unprepared to provide care and often receive little guidance from healthcare providers. What do they need to feel empowered? -
Supporting caregivers of frail older adults
Frail older adults have significant care needs, and often rely heavily on caregivers to support them. Despite their crucial role, support for caregivers is often lacking or inconsistently available. -
Planning for the future: The concerns among older parents of adult children with intellectual disabilities
Parents of children with intellectual disabilities must sometime provide ongoing care for their children, even during adulthood. These parents face significant challenges, including planning for their children's future care arrangements while anticipating their own aging and death. -
Having ‘the talk’: The benefits of making your wishes known about end-of-life care
Advance care planning and having discussions about end-of-life care with family members and healthcare providers can have positive impacts for everyone involved. -
Grandparents' parenting skills: Learning how to better care for your grandchildren
Parents are primarily responsible for meeting the needs of children, but grandparents play an increasing role in this area. Although they have some experience, having raised their own children, grandparents may face new challenges, some of which are unique to their grandchildren's generation. Can parenting interventions equip them to fulfil their role with grandchildren? -
Dementia caregiving: Take care of yourself while caring for others
Support for family caregivers of people with dementia cannot be overlooked – it is a necessity. If the stress of caregiving is left unchecked, it can take a toll on a caregiver’s mental, physical and social health. Multicomponent strategies may be a good way to keep a caregiver grounded and healthy. -
The sound of music: promoting the social well-being of older adults with dementia and their caregivers
Music can promote the social well-being of older adults with dementia and their caregivers. Let the sound of music brighten up our homes and communities for the well-being of older adults and their caregivers. -
Delivering home-care services: empathy and respect needed
The aging population is expected to generate growing demands for high-quality home-care services. There is a need for flexible policies, procedures and guidelines on the delivery of home-care services to allow older adults to have a say about their needs and how to meet them -
When "good nights" are rare: Do sleeping pills help people with dementia?
Do sleep aid medications help to improve sleep for people with dementia? -
3 simple ways to manage challenging behaviours associated with dementia
What can caregivers do to help manage common behavior challenges among people with dementia? Three tips supported by research evidence. -
Combat loneliness and depression by sharing memories: Relive those glory days!
One of the pleasures in life is spending time with family and friends. Another is getting together to relive those good times and memorable moments. Research shows that group activities involving reminiscing can help relieve loneliness and depression. -
Does caregiver stress affect the move to long term care?
Providing care for family members with challenging chronic diseases like dementia can be highly stressful and take a toll on caregivers’ physical and psychological health. When caregivers become “burnt out” are their loved ones more likely to be placed in long term care facilities? -
Transitioning to end of life care: Communication is key
The latest research shows healthcare providers and their elderly patients find it difficult to talk about end-of-life prognosis and preferences for care. Dr. John You – a doctor and expert in end-of-life communication – shares his perspective. -
Advance care planning and intensive care: Planning ahead for your end of life wishes
Patients who have an advance care plan are less likely to receive unwanted intensive care in hospital. Dr. Michelle Howard – an expert in end-of-life communication – provides a professional view on the topic and citizen contributor Diane shares her personal experience. -
Preventing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a critical illness
People who survive a critical illness are at increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder. Keeping an ICU ‘diary’ is a promising way to help prevent or reduce PTSD symptoms -
Can you relate? Options to improve support for unpaid caregivers
Providing unpaid care offers both rewards and challenges. A panel of caregivers share their thoughts and suggestions about how to better support caregivers. -
Hospital in the home: After emergency room treatment, follow-up care at home can be an effective and preferred option
After a medical emergency, many people prefer to recuperate at home. New research compares the benefits of home care vs hospital care. Citizen contributor Lillian shares her personal perspective. -
Stay connected! Family caregivers of people with dementia may benefit from online and telephone support
Caring for a loved one with dementia is challenging and can take a physical and emotional toll. Internet and combined internet and telephone-based programs may provide a cost-effective, easy-to-access option for caregivers seeking information and support. -
Options for long-term care mean more choice for older adults
Home and community based care, assisted living and nursing home care all have related risks and benefits. Decisions about long term care settings should consider the needs and unique circumstances of older adults and the people caring for them. -
Person-centred care for patients with dementia may also benefit caregivers
A person-centred care approach focuses on a patient’s unique abilities, interests, habits and wishes. Care providers who receive training in person-centred care may have higher job satisfaction and experience less career burnout. -
Home palliative care a key to respecting end of life wishes
Home palliative care – provided by specially trained health professionals – increases the likelihood of a patient dying at home and may even help to ease symptoms. -
Caring for the caregivers: Who is meeting the care needs of older adults?
Families of older adults continue to provide the vast majority of care for their members when necessary. Changes in modern society necessitate support for them from the formal healthcare system. -
Elder abuse just next door! Part 4: What are the benefits and harms of interventions to those experiencing elder abuse?
In this final blog from a 4-part series, we examine the benefits and harms of interventions to help those experiencing elder abuse. -
Elder abuse just next door! Part 3: What do Canadians believe about abuse compared to the evidence of the size of the problem?
In part 3 of this 4 part series we examine public opinion about elder abuse. This is compared to known rates of abuse in Canada and internationally. -
Elder abuse just next door! Part 2: What are the risk factors and types of elder abuse?
In Part 2 of this 4-part series, we expand upon the different types of elder abuse. Important risk factors associated with vulnerable seniors, as well as the perpetrators of the abuse are discussed. -
Elder abuse just next door! Part 1: What is elder abuse?
We often fail to recognize the signs of elder abuse. In Part 1 of this 4 part series we focus on defining elder abuse. Our understanding of elder abuse has changed over time. Culture and geography are also important. -
Treating behavioural problems of dementia: When confusion leads to controversy
The majority of people with Alzheimer’s will develop behaviour problems over time and this causes much suffering and stress for patients and caregivers. There are solutions to manage this. -
Recognize and prevent delirium (confusion and agitation) when in hospital.
Simple interventions (family visits, familiar objects, clocks) may help to prevent or recover from acute delirium in hospital. Recognize confusion or agitation and inform staff. -
Social isolation: what is it and why is it important to your health?
Social isolation should be considered a health risk. Many older adults are socially isolated and this should be of concern to all of us. We need more research on the best way to deal with it.
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