Caring for the caregiver cares for the patient.
GSHSW cares for both the patient and the family caregiver
Just as flight attendants caution parents to fit oxygen masks to themselves before helping their children, family caregivers must ensure their own health and sanity as a precondition to supporting their patients; If not, the caregiver will falter and fail the patient.
The impact of dementia on patients is self-evident. However, family caregivers experience isolation and stress as they care for a life partner, parent, or close friend — especially as the disease progresses. This creates unique challenges in addressing the needs of those managing the dementia journey.
Dementia patients fare best when they remain in a familiar environment, close to and loved by caring family members. But what benefits the dementia patient can often threaten the health and even the life of family caregivers, particularly those who assume primary care duties. At some point, the stress of care causes even the most committed and best-intentioned caregivers to reluctantly transfer the patient to a care home as dementia deepens. This can occur just as the patient’s need for family and familiarity becomes acute.
Families form the backbone of healthcare.
More than 8 million family caregivers in Canada provide informal support for a family member recovering from injury and illness or experiencing chronic disease such as dementia. This represents almost 25% of the population and far exceeds Canada’s 3 million paid healthcare workers.
As the population ages, the prevalence of illnesses of aging — such as dementia in its many forms — will skyrocket. Families will face increased demands to support ailing family members. For the aged, life partners, adult children, and close friends become the primary family caregivers.
