Education and Support for Family Caregivers
We know of the great joys, honor, and value that our efforts make to the people for whom we care. We also know of the great stresses, extra financial responsibilities, and added pressures that caregiving brings to our lives and our worlds. We understand the complicated, seemingly endless issues and efforts that go into caring.
We are an Internet-based registered Canadian charity. 90% of our work is done on-line and by leveraging technologies, 10% is done by producing local educational events. We leverage technologies in everything that we do, ensuring greater reach and sustainability.
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Caregiver News
Falls are the No. 1 cause of injury for seniors in Canada. Falls can lead to hospital stays and make it harder for seniors to live independently.
Parachute, Canada’s national injury prevention charity, has just launched a new resource: the Caregivers’ Guide to Fall Prevention, which provides simple and practical information to help caregivers understand, prevent and manage falls.
You can access the full guide and download and print specific tools: www.parachute.ca/caregivers
The information in this guide can help you learn how to prevent falls, both for yourself and the person you care for. It includes:
- How to understand someone’s risk of falling
- Strategies for preventing falls and injuries from falls
- How to safely help someone if they fall
- Tips for talking with the person you care for about fall prevention
The guide was created in collaboration with caregivers and caregiving organizations, including Caregiving Matters, Family Caregivers of British Columbia and the Ontario Caregiver Organization, and was funded by the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation.
Series Description:
This heart-warming series follows caregivers and loved ones as they find comfort and connection through cooking. From simple meals to cherished traditions, food sparks memories, and strengthen bonds. The idea for the series came from the producer Leanne Allen’s memory of her caregiving relationship with her mother. They cooked together a lot. Here’s a link to all nine episodes: https://storiesforcaregivers.com/series/recipes-for-connection/
Episode Description: Grilled Cheese Fiasco:
Wes Borg is a caregiver to Kathy Henshaw, who joined his Victoria theatre group called The Deviants ten years ago. Kathy’s developmental disabilities have meant she’s led an extremely sheltered life, but now that she’s 65 years old, Kathy’s eager to try anything new, from watching action movies to . . . well, a version of tomato soup that’s much fancier than the canned type she’s familiar with, and a grilled cheese sandwich that includes not only three types of cheese, but her dreaded menu item – bacon.
Produced by Victoria-based LA Productions and produced with the participation of TELUS Fund http://www.telusfund.ca
Link to Episode: https://storiesforcaregivers.com/recipes-for-connection-grilled-cheese-fiasco-8-9/
Are you an unpaid caregiver who provides care to an older adult (65+) family member, friend or neighbour? We want to hear from you!
A fall can have a lasting impact on an older adult, changing how they live, move and are cared for. Many resources about preventing falls are for seniors or health professionals. Unpaid caregivers may not feel these resources are for them.
To help with this issue, Parachute, Canada’s national injury-prevention charity, and partners, are developing a guide for caregivers about preventing falls. We are looking for input from unpaid caregivers who provide care to an older adult (65+) family member, friend or neighbour.
Unsure if you are a caregiver?
A caregiver is a person who provides unpaid care (e.g., emotional and/or physical support) to a family member, friend or neighbour. Caregiving looks different for everyone – it could be helping around the house for a few hours a week or helping someone get dressed every day. In whatever way you provide care, your role is important and we want to hear from you!
Complete the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/caregiverfallprevention
The survey will close May 11, 2025.
If you have any questions about this work or the survey, please contact Claire Westmacott, cwestmacott@parachute.ca
Series Description:
This new 7-episode fresh and funny web series called: "Things Not to Say to a Caregiver" will make its debut in May 2025 at StoriesforCaregivers.com
This lighthearted yet poignant series brings humor to the often unspoken realities of caregiving. Each episode stars a Care-y Godmother who guides people on what to do and say to show support to caregivers. Produced by Equal Films and produced with the participation of TELUS Fund http://www.telusfund.ca
Episode Description: Things Not to Say to a Caregiver - Pilot
A frazzled caregiver tries to juggle her responsibilities while her oblivious friend fills the air with self-centered chatter. Just as the caregiver reaches her breaking point, a Care-y Godmother magically appears, stopping time to confront the friend’s unhelpful advice and cluelessness. With the Care-y Godmother’s intervention, the friend learns that practical help—like doing dishes or offering a break—is far more useful than empty words. The episode ends with the caregiver finally getting some rest, while her friend takes on the role of helper, guided by the ever-watchful Care-y Godmother.
Here’s a link to the 3-minute pilot:
https://storiesforcaregivers.com/things-not-to-say-pilot-episode-2024/
Episode description:
World Bipolar Day is on March 30. Its aim is to bring world awareness to bipolar disorders and to eliminate social stigma and discrimination.
Joëlle Pouliot is a journalist and mental health advocate. She also lives with bipolar disorder. Her first mental health episode hit her at the age of 27 when she had returned from completing a master’s degree in journalism abroad. On the cusp of her future and a successful career, she suddenly found her mind oscillating between periods of deep depression followed by hyperactive mania that alienated her friends and family.
In this first episode in her series called BETTER, Joëlle’s closest caregivers–her divorced parents and younger brother–reflect on the early days of her illness. How they struggled to understand what was happening to their child and sibling. How they overextended themselves to care for her. And ultimately, how they learned to accept help for themselves and reimagine a future that is wildly different from the one they had previously imagined.
Series description – BETTER
After a bipolar diagnosis derailed her life, journalist Joëlle Pouliot decided her only path towards recovery is to approach her illness as a reporter on a beat. Over the next half-decade, Joëlle documented the stories of a diverse group of Canadians suffering from mental illness and their caregivers — the friends, family, and community members who put their own lives on hold to look after loved ones. Using Joëlle’s experience and journals as a central story arc and punctuated by insights from AMI Quebec Executive Director (and Order of Canada recipient) Dr. Ella Amir, Better paints a candid picture of the reality of millions of Canadians who suffer from and care for people with mental illness.
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Together, we can bring comfort, hope, and vital resources to the caregivers who tirelessly devote themselves to the well-being of others.
Your sponsorship will be a beacon of light, guiding them through their challenging journey.
To explore sponsorship opportunities and discuss how your support can make a real difference, please get in touch with us.
Let’s create a world where caregivers receive the recognition and support they truly deserve.
Join us today as a sponsor, and let’s make the world a better place for those who care with love and dedication. Together, we can create a brighter future!
