Caregiver Resources
Caregiver resources are tools and supports for people who help take care of others, like family members or friends who are sick or need support.
This sections includes resources, information and even tips to support caregivers who are caring for someone who is aging.
Canadian Centre for Caregiver Excellence
Canadian Mental Health – Care for the Caregiver
More and more Canadians take care of friends, family members, and loved ones of all ages living with a mental health problem, whether they live together at home or not. Caring for a loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be tiring, overwhelming, confusing, and stressful. Many caregivers feel obligated to put the needs of others before their own. Yet, when you make the time to take care of yourself, you can help avoid burnout, isolation, depression, anxiety, and other problems that caregiving might bring up.
Here are some tips to reduce the impact that caregiving can take.
Family Caregivers of BC
Family Caregivers of BC (FCBC) is a provincial organization that proudly and compassionately supports over one million people in British Columbia who provide physical and/or emotional care to a family member, friend, or neighbour.
FCBC supports caregivers by providing access to information, education and supports so that caregivers feel more confident and successful in their important role.
FCBC provides direct support to caregivers through one-on-one emotional support, caregiver support groups, health care system navigation, and free educational resources.
Visit the Family Caregivers of BC website here and find information about support groups here.
Family Support Institute (FSI)
Directed by families, the Family Support Institute (FSI) works to bring families together to share their expertise, joys and challenges and the special understanding of having a son, daughter or family member with a disability. Support is available by phone, at community events or at workshops. Click on the Resources link to subscribe to information newsletters and bulletins.
Visit the FSI website here.
Family Support Institute (FSI) - Family / Person with Disability Toolkit for Healthcare Settings
Find Support BC
Find Support BC connects families of persons with disabilities with resources available to them in their community.
Visit Find Support BC here.
Guide to augmentative and alternative communication
Do you have a family member who is unable to communicate their needs verbally? If so, you might have heard the term AAC or Augmentative and Alternative Communication. AAC is a combination of systems and strategies that replace or supplement speech.
This guide discusses some of the most common questions about AAC to help you determine if this is something that might benefit your family.
Read the guide to augmentative and alternative communication here.
Home Sharing Support Society BC (HSSSBC)
The Home Sharing Support Society BC (HSSSBC) is a provincial organization. HSSSBC works with people, organizations and funders involved in the Home Sharing community from across the province to share and support the model of Home Sharing across B.C.
Visit the Home Sharing Support Society BC website here.
How to have meaningful conversations about Gender and Sexuality
Learning Series: Prevention, Screening, Diagnosis, and Support for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Who Develop Dementia
Monthly Nutritional Supplement for People with Disabilities Help Sheet
Siblings Canada Learning Hub
Siblings Canada raises awareness of the critical role siblings play in creating large and responsive systems of care for people with disabilities. They serve as a source of connection, relevant knowledge, learning and resources for sibling caregivers and Canadian disability service organizations who want to engage and support them.
Through courses, webcasts, and other resources, the Siblings Canada Learning Hub helps siblings build their knowledge of relevant topics, including financial security, mental health, and communicating with family.
Family members, people with disabilities, and service providers can explore the Learning Hub to better understand the experience, perspectives, and needs of siblings as this will ultimately contribute to the long-term wellbeing of people with disabilities.
Tips for making a will if you have a loved one with a disability
Developing a will is an important part of future planning, however it can be a challenging task and can be very easy to put off. However, if you have a minor/adult child or relative with a disability, ensuring that your will is up-to-date is even more crucial. Not having a properly drafted and up-to-date may necessitate that others make important decisions for you and may result in unintended costs and consequences – often with results that you would not have wanted. A properly drafted will provides peace of mind, ensuring that you have made decisions and have adequately provided for family, and in the case of a disability, ensuring that a child with a disability continues to be entitled to provincial disability benefits.
Additionally, proper planning can protect those with a disability who may also be vulnerable and susceptible to undue influence by others especially where their capacity may be in question.
Find tips for making a will if you have a loved one with a disability here.
Vela
Vela provides information and mentoring to individuals with disabilities and their trusted others who are looking for customized, inclusive and creative supports and services. Their particular areas of expertise are forming a Microboard™ and accessing Individualized Funding from CLBC.
Visit the Vela website here.
What can you do if you experience discrimination in Health Care?
