Family Caregivers

Who You Are

Family caregivers are people who provide physical, emotional or practical assistance to a family member or friend who is ill, disabled, elderly or frail. You might provide that care at home or in a facility.

You are a diverse group of more than 50 million in North America and 712,000 in BC. You also comprise 14% of adult women and 10% of adult men.

Why Care for a Caregiver?

While caregiving can be a rich source of fulfilment and emotional growth, it is also one of the most stressful endeavours you may ever undertake.

Many of you report feeling:

• exhausted
• uncertain or confused
• anxious and fearful
• angry and frustrated
• profoundly sad
• helpless
• guilty or
• isolated and lonely

Although there can be many gifts along the way, caregiving can come at great personal cost with the loss of:

• dreams and goals
• employment
• savings
• time for yourself
• community
• social and recreational activities or
• family time

You are also at risk for a number of emotional and physical health problems.

Like many caregivers, you may yearn for contact with others who understand these losses and your day-to-day experiences.

The Caregiver Wellness Program can help.