Caregiver Resource Guide Created by Caregiver Information and Support a Program of the Saskatoon Council on Aging
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Caregiver Resource Guide Created by Caregiver Information and Support A program of the Saskatoon Council on Aging 2020 College Drive Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 2W4 Phone: (306) 652-4411 Fax: (306) 652-7525 Website: www.saskatooncaregiver.ca © Saskatoon Council on Aging May 2020 Supported by CAREGIVER INFORMATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES A program of the Saskatoon Council on Aging Mandate To respond to caregiver needs by providing easy access to information, social and emotional support, coordination of resources, and developing a community caregiver network. An informal caregiver is an unpaid individual who cares for and gives support to a family member, friend or neighbor who is frail, ill or disabled. The above definition is broad, as caregiving can take many forms. Both caregiver and care receiver are unique and it is, therefore, very difficult to generalize about what may be required. One thing that virtually all caregivers have in common, though, is that they have had little or no preparation or training for their caregiving duties, and often have no idea who to call or where to go for help. Saskatoon Caregiver Information and Support The Saskatoon Caregiver Information and Support Centre has been a program of the Saskatoon Council on Aging (SCOA) since 2000. Its focus has been on providing information and support to family caregivers through presentations, workshops, forums, a Caregiver information phone line, the Caregiver Website, and the Saskatoon Council on Aging Positive Aging Resource Centre. A Caregiver committee works to design at least two forums/workshops annually, depending on funding, to provide information and support to local caregivers. Committee members also provide presentations in the Saskatoon community upon request through SCOA’s Speakers Bureau program. 3 Table of Contents Information for New Caregivers ................................................................................................. 3 Caregiver Assistance Available in Saskatoon ...................................................................................... 3 Caregiver Assistance Available in Saskatchewan ................................................................................ 6 Caregiving Burdens .............................................................................................................................. 13 Getting Organized ........................................................................................................................ 14 Developing a Plan ................................................................................................................................. 14 Creating a Contact List ........................................................................................................................ 17 Organizing Health Information........................................................................................................... 17 Healthy at Any Age ...................................................................................................................... 19 Physical Activity ................................................................................................................................... 20 Falls ........................................................................................................................................................ 21 Healthy Eating ...................................................................................................................................... 23 Oral Health ............................................................................................................................................ 25 Managing Stress .................................................................................................................................... 26 Caregiver Burnout ................................................................................................................................ 27 Depression ............................................................................................................................................. 28 Alzheimer’s Disease .............................................................................................................................. 29 Caregiving and Employment ............................................................................................................... 31 Communication ............................................................................................................................ 31 Communicating with Loved Ones ....................................................................................................... 32 Communicating with Health Care Professionals ............................................................................... 35 Special Considerations for Long Distance Caregivers ...................................................................... 36 Staying at Home .................................................................................................................................... 37 Resources for Home Adaptations and Assistive Devices ................................................................... 38 Moving in with You .............................................................................................................................. 39 Other Living Arrangements ................................................................................................................ 40 Long Term Care ................................................................................................................................... 42 Legal and Financial Planning ..................................................................................................... 42 End of Life Wishes ................................................................................................................................ 43 Health Care Directives ......................................................................................................................... 43 Power of Attorney ................................................................................................................................. 44 Adult Guardianship .............................................................................................................................. 44 Legal Wills ............................................................................................................................................. 44 Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) .................................................................................. 45 Paying For Long-Term Care ............................................................................................................... 45 Financial Fraud..................................................................................................................................... 45 Dealing with Financial Problems ........................................................................................................ 46 Driving ................................................................................................................................................... 46 Alternatives to Driving ......................................................................................................................... 47 End of Life Care ........................................................................................................................... 47 Compassionate Care Benefit ................................................................................................................ 47 Palliative Care ....................................................................................................................................... 48 Life after Caregiving ............................................................................................................................ 53 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 54 1 Information for New Caregivers An informal caregiver is an unpaid individual who cares for and gives support to a family member, friend or neighbour who is frail, ill or disabled. The above definition is broad, as caregiving can take many forms. Both caregiver and care receiver are unique and it is, therefore, very difficult to generalize about what may be required. One thing that virtually all caregivers have in common, though, is that they have had little or no preparation or training for their caregiving duties, and often have no idea who to call or where to go for help. This guide is intended to aid caregivers and it is hoped that it will provide some much needed assistance. Caregiving can be a stressful job and a contributing factor in the stress felt by many caregivers is the lack of choice they had when thrust into this new role. As you prepare to care for you loved one, consider the options available: 1. Personally caring for your loved one 2. Asking for help from friends and family 3. Asking for help from a professional service It is not necessary to decide between these, but it is helpful to keep all three in mind as you consider the tasks you face and how you will accomplish them. Caregiver Assistance in Saskatoon In Saskatoon, Client/Patient Access Services (CPAS) will aid you in identifying your needs and options, as well as, the professional services