7 minute read
Who is a Caregiver?
Christina Henderson
I am a caregiver I hold your hand when you are in pain and hold you close when you need comfort. I am a caregiver I drive you to doctor’s appointments and celebrate each goal that you reach. I am a caregiver I make your meals; I make your bed and I make mistakes when I care too much. I am a caregiver Whether you are young or old, physically, or mentally ill, or just need support without judgment I am a caregiver
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Ibecame a caregiver 26 years ago when my twin boys were born. They were 13 weeks premature and weighed just over a pound each. They spent the first three months of their life in the Neonatal Intensive Care unit. It was there that I began my journey of understanding the needs of my boys and planning for their arrival home.
At the age of 18 months one of my sons was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This began my journey to understand the special needs system for children with cerebral palsy so that I could give the best care possible to my son.
At the age of 8 my other son was diagnosed with a Generalized Anxiety Disorder. This began my journey to understand the mental health system for youth as it pertained to my son’s needs. I needed to understand so that I could support my son to be as successful as possible.
When I had been married for 16 years, my husband turned to drugs which ended our marriage. This began my journey to understand addiction as well as the court system. I needed to understand what had happened to my family so that I could best care for my boys as we all dealt with the trauma.
So, who is a caregiver? A caregiver is just that, a giver of care. A more formal definition from Caregivers Alberta is: Anyone who sup-
ports someone with an illness or disability (mental or physical), or who is caring for an aging friend or family member, is a caregiv-
er. This position can be paid or unpaid and can be as intensive as living with the person you are caring for or as simple as driving the person to a doctor’s appointment or sweeping their steps.
In a recent study done in 2018 by Caregivers of Nova Scotia, only 28% of the Canadian population self-identified as a being a caregiver. Many people do not see themselves as a caregiver because they are simply taking care of people they care about. In reality, 1 in 4 people in Canada, aged 15 and older, provide care or assist a family member or a friend with a long-term health condition, a physical or mental disability, or aging-related needs.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada states that caregivers are critical in fostering recovery within those that are suffering from a mental health or addiction concern. Responsibilities of those caring for a loved one with a mental health and/or addiction concern include, navigating the mental health system, transportation, advocating for services, and social, financial, and emotional supports. On average, caregivers in Alberta spend 20 or more hours a week providing care. That’s approximately 619 million hours per year in unpaid care. If this time had a monetary value, it would add up to $11.5 billion dollars each year.
Although most caregivers are happy to support their loved one in whatever way necessary to ensure they have everything they need, this can sometimes have very negative consequences including developing their own mental or physiological concerns, financial stress, isolation, and possibly damaging their relationship with their loved one due to over involvement.
Caregiving can have ripple effects over other areas of a caregivers’ life too. As a result of less free-time, caregivers often experience strained relationships with family and friends, and they don’t have free-time to spend enjoying hobbies or social activities—all of which are necessary outlets for positive well-being. The
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risk of burnout and the rates of stress, anxiety and depression are high among caregivers.
Further research from the University of Alberta in 2021 demonstrates the impact of caregiving on the caregivers well being. 1 in 2 caregivers report being tired due to sleep disturbances. 2 in 5 are overwhelmed and as a result are short tempered or irritable. 1 in 4 report that their physical health has suffered. On the positive side, many (70%) caregivers receive help or assistance for their caregiving duties. This support comes in different forms. Social support might look like a friend or neighbor providing a meal or a partner to walk with to get a break. Caregivers may receive support from their children or extended family members. The most common form of social support is often provided by the caregiver’s spouse who may modify their life and work arrangements to help. Financial support most often comes from friends and family. A small percentage (8%) of financial support comes from federal tax credits and even less (6%) comes from government programs.
As caregivers we are called upon to wear many different hats including cook, cleaner, nurse, driver, financial planner, advocate, and comforter. With love and empathy, we wear these hats with the hope that our loved ones will heal. Through fatigue, frustration and yes, sometimes judgement we hold onto these hats because the road to recovery, no matter how long or short or how difficult, is so worth it when we know our loved ones are cared for and not alone.
References: Caregivers in Canada, 2018 Retrieved February 5, 2022, from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/200108/dq200108a-eng. htm Caregivers Nova Scotia https://caregiversns.org/ Caregivers Alberta https://www.caregiversalberta.ca/about-caregiving/who-is-a-caregiver/ Mental Health Commission of Canada (n.d) National Guidelines for a comprehensive service system to support family caregivers of adults with mental health problems and illnesses. Retrieved February 5, 2022, from http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/sites/default/ files/Caregiving MHCC Family Caregivers Guidelines ENG0.pdf
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