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As a family caregiver you spend
most of your time focusing on
someone else’s health and needs.
But, did you know that the stress
of caregiving may be impacting
your own health in a detrimental
way. Now, before you shrug this
off as something that “goes with
the territory” of being a caregiver,
read the following
to understand why
you should not
dismiss your feelings
as “just stress” and
how you can protect
yourself.
Providing care to
someone else,
whether full-time,
part-time, hands-on
or long distance, can
take a huge toll on you both
physically and emotionally. It is
now recognized that the stress of
caregiving results in any number
of long-term health effects for the
family caregiver, including an
increase in the incidence of
infectious diseases, depression,
and sleep deprivation among
caregivers, as well as signs of
premature aging and a higher
mortality rate. In fact, studies
have shown that caregivers are
nearly twice as likely to report
having chronic conditions as their
non-caregiving counterparts,
while elderly people caring for a
spouse with dementia were shown
to have a 63% higher mortality
rate than spouses of the same age
who were not caregivers. As one
study quotes “Caregiving itself,
then, appears to be a potentially
lethal risk factor.”
So, what’s a family caregiver to
do? Well, for one thing, you need
to recognize that the
stress of caregiving
isn’t something that
you should ignore or
just deal with.
Practicing self-care is
very important in
order to protect your
own -- and ultimately
your care recipient’s –
health; in fact, it could
be a matter of life or
death. Self-care includes anything
that can help decrease your stress
as a caregiver, including getting
exercise, eating right, having
regular medical checkups, and
seeking support services (both
physical and emotional) in a
timely manner..
Although it may be hard to focus
on self-care, it is critical that you
do; maintaining a personal
balance will enable you to
maintain your health and to
continue to care for your family
member or friend. See sidebar
for tips on self-care!
Caregiving Impacts YOUR Health by Sana Shahram
Inside this issue:Inside this issue:Inside this issue:Inside this issue:
North Shore Family North Shore Family North Shore Family North Shore Family
Caregiver NewsCaregiver NewsCaregiver NewsCaregiver News
5 Steps to More Healthful
Caregiving
1.Remind yourself until you
actually believe it that self-
care is a necessity, not a
luxury.
2.Reach out for help – this will
lessen the load.
3.Stay in touch with friends
and family. Many caregivers
become socially isolated.
Sharing what is going on
often will lessen, the burden.
4.Find a way to exercise- this
is easier said than done! Try
to do something you like.
You can power walk around
the house for 10 minutes. .
Exercise reduces stress, and
blood pressure, helps to re-
duce depression, anxiety,
and anger.
5.Do one small thing for your-
self each day - a relaxing
bath, call a friend, etc.
SUMMER 2010SUMMER 2010SUMMER 2010SUMMER 2010 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
Legally Speaking–
Understanding Power of
Attorney
2
Pharmacist’s Corner–
Managing Medications
3
Navigating the System–
Home/Community Care
4
“I’m Still Here” DVD
Review
6
North Shore Caregivers
Get Help!
6
Meet the Staff 7
A Power of Attorney is a legal
document. When you give someone
power of attorney you give him or her
the legal power to take care of financial
and legal matters for you. This might
include paying bills, investing your
money or selling your house. The
person you give this power is called the
attorney. He or she is
not your lawyer. The
power of attorney
does not give that
person authority to
make decisions about
your health care. It
covers financial and
legal matters only.
Types of Power of Attorney:
SPECIFIC: Allows your attorney to do
a specific task. The power ends when
the task is completed. An example is
selling your car.
GENERAL: Gives your attorney a very
wide power. It is generally used when
decisions need to be made about your
property or financial matters. An
example is when you are out of the
country for an extended period of time
and need someone to manage your
affairs for you.
ENDURING: Allows your attorney to
act for you even if you become mentally
incapable.
It ends if you die or the court appoints
someone to act for you.
Procedure: • You must be mentally competent
and understand the nature and
effect of the document.
• Your attorney should be someone
you trust.
• It must be in writing and you must
sign it.
• You need at least one witness.
• Banks often have their own forms
for power of attorneys. Several
standard forms are
available at stationery
stores.
If you are dealing with
land it is more
complicated and you
should have a lawyer or
notary public assist you.
• If you want to cancel your power
of attorney, notify your attorney in
writing and date the document.
Then, write to the organizations
who have been dealing with the
attorney and tell them it has
ended.
For more information: Lawyer Referral: 30 minute
consultation for $25 604-687-3221
Dial-a-Law: Free, pre-recorded legal
information.
Lower Mainland: 604-687-4680
elsewhere: 1-800-565-5297
Law Students Legal Advice Clinics:
604-822-5791
North Shore Community Resources
Legal Information: 604-985-7138
EDITOR’S NOTE:
The purpose of this column is NOT to
advise people on their legal affairs or
concerns, but to provide basic information
for discussion with their own legal counsel.
Legally Speaking– Understanding Power of Attorney By Fariba Aghdassi
Page 2 NORTH SHORE FAMILY CAREGIVER NEWS
HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS:
• Caregiver Wellness: www.caregiverwellness.ca
• Care-ring Voice Network: www.careringvoice.com
• VON Canada: www.caregiver-connect.ca
• Family Caregivers’ Network Society: www.fcns-caregiving.org
• Family Support Institute: www.familysupportbc.com • Community Living BC: www.communitylivingbc.ca
• Canadian Caregiver Coalition: www.ccc-ccan.ca
Did you know that almost 50% of Canadians fail to
take their medications as prescribed by their doctor?
For some medications, even slight variations can lead
to unnecessary disease progression, complications, and
sometimes death. As a caregiver you are often given
the difficult task of managing your family or friend’s
medications, so it is important to know how a
pharmacist can help you in this process!
Here’s a list of what information you should get from
your pharmacist whenever a new medication is
initiated:
Tip! Keep info organized in a binder for quick
reference.
What is the medication for?
If your family member is being treated for several
different conditions, or if certain medications are used
only occasionally, they can be easy to confuse.
What is this medication going to do, when will it
start working, and how long must it be taken?
If you don’t understand why something needs to be
taken, it is easy to be complacent about providing it,
or to stop its use prematurely.
How and when should the medication be taken
for?
Medications come in all shapes and sizes. Some are
oral, while others are topical, rectal, etc. Some can be
split, others may be damaged if broken, crushed or
exposed to light. As a caregiver, you will know things
that may impact your care recipients ability or
willingness to take certain medications; share this input
with your pharmacist so that they can help you choose
medications that will work for the person you care for.
Also, things such as food, other medications and
supplements can impact medications positively and
negatively, so it is important to know how these things
may have an impact.
What are the potential side effects, and how should
they be managed?
Unfortunately all medications can cause side effects.
Some side effects will go away, some can be managed,
and others require a medication to be discontinued all
together. Contact your physician or pharmacist to
determine the cause and the best course of action.
Unless told to do so, do not abruptly stop medications as
this is not safe for all medications.
What should be done if one or more doses have
been missed?
This is largely dependant on the medication
so make sure you know what to do for each
drug.
If you are still struggling with managing
medications, the good news is there are options.
Again, your physician or pharmacist can be a great
source of information. They may be able to help you
streamline the medications that your family member is
taking to decrease the number of tablets or times a day
medications need to be taken. Most pharmacies can also
provide medications in blister packs that provide
individual dosing for morning/lunch/supper/evening
each day of the week, to help cut down on mistakes.
Even after all of this, you may still find yourself in a
situation where you need medication advice and your
doctor and pharmacist are out of reach. If this happens,
you can call HealthLinkBC by dialing 8-1-1 (toll free) to
be connected with a registered nurse 24/7 or with a
pharmacist between 5 pm to 9 am everyday who can
provide you with advice. Translation services are also
available in over 130 languages. The important point to
always remember, however, is when you need help, help
is always available.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
The purpose of this column is NOT to advise people on their
health affairs or concerns, but to provide basic information
for discussion with their own health care provider.
Pharmacist’s Corner– Managing Medications By Logan McNeil, RPh
Page 3 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
A person may be eligible for services
such as home care nursing or
physiotherapy and occupational therapy
if they are a Canadian citizen, have
Permanent Resident Status (landed
immigrant), and have been living in
British Columbia for three months.
Also, if care is required following early
discharge from an acute care hospital,
care at home rather than hospitalization,
or care because of a terminal illness.
To be eligible for subsidized services,
such as home support, assisted living,
adult day care, case management,
residential care services and/or palliative
care services,
people must:
• be 19
years
of age
or
older
• have
lived in British Columbia for
three months
• be a Canadian citizen or have
permanent resident status
• be unable to function
independently because of
chronic, health-related
problems or have been
diagnosed with an end-stage
illness by a doctor
How can I access home and
community care services and how
much do they cost? A person may
refer him/herself for assessment, or
someone representing them, can apply
for services by contacting the North
Shore Home Health Program Central
Intake Office. Healthcare
professionals, such as a doctor, nurse,
pharmacist or social worker, can also
make enquiries on a client’s behalf.
For North and West Vancouver,
Lions Bay and Bowen Island,
contact the North Shore Home
Health Program at 604-986-7111.
When you call, you will be connected
with Central Intake. The Central Intake
staff will ask a series of questions over
the phone to determine
the health care needs of
the person being
referred. If they
determine that home
and community care
services are not
appropriate for the
caller, they may redirect them to other
community health program services or
may refer them to resources and
community services appropriate to
meet their needs (see page 5 for
information on the Resource Guide for
Family Caregivers North Shore
edition). If Central Intake staff
determine that a referral to Home and
Community Care Services is required,
the appropriate healthcare professional
will visit with the care receiver to
determine their health care needs and
eligibility.
Navigating the System– Home and Community Care Adapted from “Resource Guide for Family Caregivers: North Shore Edition”
Page 4 NORTH SHORE FAMILY CAREGIVER NEWS
5 STRESS BUSTING TIPS:
1.Unload a little- even if it is on someone else’s shoulders.
2.Start a “Gratitude Journal” – Everyday write down 5 things or special moments you are grateful for. These will be helpful to you now and later.
3.Breathe! Stop what you are doing. Take long, slow, deep breaths. It’s amazing how often caregivers hold their breath without knowing it. Breathing deeply releases stress.
4.Do one thing you love to do. This will give you energy so you can continue to give to others.
5.Accept that you
cannot make life
perfect for the one
you care for – you are
doing your best in the
love and care you
provide.
Created in collaboration with Family Caregiver Network Society, this 162-page guide is presented in an easy-
to-read format and contains practical information to help caregivers make informed decisions. The majority
of the material in this guide is generic and is applicable to all family caregivers.
This Resource Guide is FREE (while quantities last) for unpaid family caregivers, $20 for professionals and comes with a handy contact list of Resources for Family Caregivers. This valuable resource will assist family caregivers to identify:
• What it means to be a caregiver.
• How to balance family caregiving and employment.
• How to communicate with health care providers.
• What community-based supports are available.
• How to choose the most appropriate home-based care services.
• Expectations of a residential care facility.
• Health care staff roles and responsibilities.
• How to manage when a family member is admitted to an acute care hospital.
• What is normal aging.
• What is palliative care.
• What financial and legal considerations need to be made.
• How to advocate for the caregivers and the care receivers.
To obtain a copy of the Resource Guide for Family Caregivers contact Helen:
604-982-3313 helen.wait@nscr.bc.ca
the Caregiver Support Program
(registration is free). Karyn is available
to show you how the library system
works.
Resource Library Details:
NSCR Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-4:30pm
For more information, contact Karyn Davies
at 604-982-3320.
The Family Caregiver Resource Library
is full of interesting and helpful books,
journals, CDs (including relaxation CDs)
and DVDs on various topics related to
caregiving. Drop by, to sign out any of
these great resources which are available
free of charge to registered members of
Family Caregiver Resource Library is Open!
Resource Guide for Family
Caregivers, North Shore Edition
Book Launch
Page 5 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
The DVD of the play I’m Still Here is
written by Vrenia Ivonoffski, and is
based on findings from research
conducted with people living with
Alzheimer’s disease or a related
dementia and daughters whose mothers
were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
disease.
This insightful and powerful DVD
examines questions about the effects of
Alzheimer’s disease on a person’s
identity and relationships. It provides
the often overlooked perspective from
the actual person with the disease, with
the characters in the play with dementia
repeatedly expressing that they feel they
are not being listened to. The characters
explore the frustration associated with
having all of their emotions, actions and
thoughts suddenly deemed demented
post-diagnosis. Indeed, the play seems
to suggest that the stigma and
suspension of personal freedom
associated with dementia often out-
paces the progression of the actual
disease. The play also offers the
balancing view of family caregivers and
their attempt to provide the best and
most suitable care for their loved ones
while also dealing with the emotional
impacts of the disease. Both
perspectives offer a plethora of thought-
provoking and conversation-initiating
topics for both caregivers and people
living with Alzheimer’s disease or a
related dementia.
A ‘must see’ play for those newly
diagnosed with dementia, their families
and care providers alike, I’m Still Here is
at once educational and uplifting. The
play suggests that although Alzheimer’s
disease may alter parts of the person
that it affects, it does not completely
take them away; they’re still here.
A copy of the DVD “I’m Still Here” is available for loan, for 2 weeks free of charge, in the North Shore Community Resources Library. The West Vancouver Memorial Library also has a copy. The DVD is also available for purchase at www.marep.uwaterloo.ca/ucts/still.html.
REVIEW: “I’m Still Here” Presents the Human Side of Dementia
By Sana Shahram
The Supporting
Caregivers Across the
Lifespan Project
Activities
• Literature Review and
Research on Caregiver
Best Practices
• Needs assessments:
Focus groups and surveys
for Family Caregivers,
Employers, Professionals
• Content development for
a Website – “Family
Caregiver North Shore” to
provide resources for
Caregivers, Professionals
and Employers
• Education for
professionals and
employers
• Bi-Monthly Newsletter –
North Shore Family
Caregiver News
• Social Recreation
Program for Caregivers
and Care Receivers, the
latter who experience mild
to moderate dementia
• Creative Arts Based
Programming for Family
Caregivers
• Education Sessions for
Family Caregivers
• Network groups (Support
and Education) for
parents of youth with
disabilities who are in
transition (age 15- 25).
• Tele-Conference
Education Sessions for
Family Caregivers
North Shore Community
Resources (NSCR) is excited to
announce funding from the
Government of Canada's Social
Development Partnerships Program for
a new three year project called Supporting
Caregivers Across the Lifespan! This project
will address the needs of unpaid family
caregivers who provide support/care for
family members or friends who are
aging, have chronic illnesses or have
disabilities. This project will work in
partnership with our existing North
Shore Caregiver Support Program.
Services are available to all adults who
perform the role of unpaid caregiver.
This includes caregivers who are helping
family members at a distance or those
whose care receiver is already living in a
care facility.
Caregivers are encouraged to contact
Helen Wait, Program Assistant at
helen.wait@nscr.bc.ca , 604-982-3313.
for further information. The project will
conclude in September 2012.
North Shore Family Caregivers Get Help! By Cindy Bouvet
Page 6 NORTH SHORE FAMILY CAREGIVER NEWS
Page 7 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
Meet the Staff at North Shore Family Caregivers
Barb Maclellan, Manager of Information and Volunteer Services Barbara MacLellan has a
Master’s degree in Communications and is the Manager of Information and Volunteer Programs
at North Shore Community Resources where she has worked for 17 years. She is responsible for
a variety of programs including Community Information, Caregivers Program and Project, Legal
Information and Advocacy and Seniors One Stop Information. She has many years of experience
sitting on and chairing boards of directors including nine years on the North Vancouver School
Board, two as its chair and continues to volunteer her time with a number of community organi-
zations.
Cindy Bouvet, Family Caregiver Project Coordinator Cindy Bouvet coordinates the new
Supporting Caregivers Across the Lifespan Project, a 3-year federally funded project. From 2007
-2010 Cindy coordinated the North Shore Caregiver Support Program. Cindy brings with her to
this role her many years of experience as a Recreation Therapist supporting seniors in care and
as a faculty member in the Therapeutic Recreation Program at Douglas College. She completed
a Masters in Adult Education in 2005.
Cindy is also a care partner to her 85 year old Mom in Montreal. Cindy is very excited about working with the very
talented and energetic “Family Caregiver Team.”
Karyn Davies, Family Caregiver Program Coordinator Karyn is delighted to be working
with the team here at North Shore Community Resources and hopes to bring an ongoing
vibrancy and openness in her role as Program Coordinator. Working in various healthcare
settings has brought Karyn incredible gifts in her life; her work with children, families, sen-
iors and adults with disabilities has painted her career landscape with colour and meaning.
Karyn is an avid lover of the natural world, a writer and a believer in the vital role of the creative arts (music and
dance) in fostering personal wellness. She looks forward to connecting with Family Caregivers in upcoming ses-
sions and events!
Helen Wait, Family Caregiver Program Assistant Helen Wait is a long time North Shore resi-
dent with a business and education background. Helen was Chairperson for Seymour Golf &
Country Club’s Charity Golf Tournament in 2009 and 2008 and has taught computer classes at
Silver Harbour Centre. In her role, Helen enjoys creating Family Caregiving posters and working
with the team at North Shore Community Resources to create valuable support programs and re-
sources for caregivers on the North Shore.
Sana Shahram, Family Caregiver Project Researcher/Writer Sana Shahram was born
and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. After completing her undergraduate studies at
UBC in Cell Biology/Genetics and English Literature, she moved to Boston to complete
her masters of Public Health at Tufts University School of Medicine where she specialized
in Health Communications.
Sana has watched as her mother has cared for her parents for the past 13 years, and currently cares for her father
with her family’s help while he undergoes cancer treatment. She hopes that these experiences will allow her to con-
tribute new perspectives and ideas in this exciting role.
If your name is selected, you will win a
hand crafted lap quilt made by the
Mt. Seymour Quilters Guild.
Submit your ideas by email (if you can)
to helen.wait@nscr.bc.ca or by phone at
604-982-3313 by June 21, 2010.
Name the Newsletter Contest
North Shore Family Caregiver Support Program A program for people caring for friends and family members.
A family caregiver is anyone who provides unpaid care and support at home, in the
community or in a care facility to a friend or family member who is chronically ill,
elderly, palliative, or is living with a disability.
Services:
• Caregiver support groups and educational workshops • Stress management strategies and relaxation techniques • Telephone support and individual consultations • Information & Referral to health care and community services • Library with books, videos and other educational resources • Limited subsidies are available to qualified participants whose fam-
ily member requires respite care to make their attendance at groups possible.
What happens in a network group?
• A network group gives people the opportunity to: • Connect with other caregivers • Explore the challenges • Learn new skills • Share ideas
Caregiving can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it is also com-mon for caregivers to experience increased stress, health problems and financial consequences.
For the sake of your own health — and that of the person you are caring for — it can be helpful to find out how to take care of yourself and ensure you get the support you need.
For More Information on the Program contact Karyn Davies at 604-982-3320 or karyn.davies@nscr.bc.ca
Phone: 604-985-7138 Fax: 604-985-0645
North Shore Family Caregiver Support Program
Questions/
Comments?
If you have any
questions or
feedback about
this issue of the
newsletter,
please contact
the editor at :
sana.shahram@
nscr.bc.ca. This project is funded by
the Government of
Canada’s Social
Development Partnerships
Program. “The opinions
and interpretations in this
publication are those of the
author and do not
necessarily reflect those of
the Government of
Canada.”
201-935 Marine Drive North Vancouver, BC V7P 1S3
Visit us on the
Web!
Www.nscr.bc.ca
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