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People caring for a loved one at home now have access to a free comprehensive online resource. The Caregiver Compass is a new resource, offered by Saint Elizabeth through the Care to Know Centre, designed to be a one stop shop for practical information on common situations encountered in caregiving.
Caregivers provide care and assistance for spouses, children, parents, and extended family members and friends who need support due to age, disabling medical conditions, chronic injury, long term illness or disability. Caring for a loved one can be very challenging, and the demands can be physically and emotionally exhausting. There is an estimated seven to eight million caregivers in Canada today.
The Caregiver Compass provides extensive information about:
- Identifying supportive care services available to caregivers;
- Avoiding caregiver burnout;
- Techniques for proper bathing and grooming;
- End-of-life care; and
- Managing financial and legal affairs.
In addition to the Caregiver Compass, caregivers are also invited to connect with others or join communities of support through the Saint Elizabeth caretoknow.org social media site. Research shows that interaction makes a difference to informal caregivers in their feelings of support and empowerment.
“Caregivers often have a difficult time organizing support services and assistance as they may not be aware of available resources that can make caregiving more manageable,” says Nicole Beben, Executive Director of the Saint Elizabeth Care to Know Centre. “Family members often become caregivers suddenly and we have found that some early support can help the transition difference from isolation to empowerment.”
The Caregiver Compass is available online at www.caretoknow.org/flash/compass.
