Caring for those who care for us
Did You Know?
This month, we recognize April 5th as National Caregiver Day. This day has been officially recognized since 2020 and serves as a reminder to acknowledge and appreciate the important, and often invisible, work carried out by caregivers. In addition, the week of April 24th to 30th is National Volunteer Week. The theme this year is “Empathy in Action”, which could not be more relevant to the work of PCSBV volunteers. Primarily, volunteer caregivers support individuals with a life-limiting diagnosis, whether that be through helping them attend appointments or assisting them with daily tasks like eating and walking. Their efforts also greatly assist the family members who are navigating the difficult feelings and stress that comes with such devastating news. Their important work, empathetic in nature, is why volunteer caregivers deserve special recognition and appreciation. Caregivers can often experience stress that stems from their responsibilities. This stress can manifest itself in emotional and physical ways which can gravely impact their wellbeing. It’s important that caregivers be aware of the supports that exist to assist them in managing stress. Caregivers Alberta is an organization dedicated to caring for caregivers in the province. They provide a variety of stress- management supports for caregivers that extend beyond more simple advice such as to go on a walk or to read a book. For example, the organization offers access to caregiver coaches who are individuals available to offer one-on-one advice or counselling to caregivers to support and promote their wellbeing. The organization also hosts tri-weekly community support events where caregivers can connect with others in their field to discuss some of the difficulties of their job that stem from caring for an individual with a life-limiting diagnosis. This April, it is important to remember that volunteer caregivers devote themselves to assisting others who have received a life-limiting diagnosis. They provide an invaluable service to our communities. It is vital that we rally around these remarkable individuals to ensure that they too are being cared for.
There are nearly 1MILLION caregivers in Alberta
Alberta caregivers provide nearly 400 MILLION HOURS of unpaid care per year.
Approximately TWO IN FIVE Albertans (38%) have been a caregiver at some point in their lives.
There are more than 100,000 young caregivers in Alberta
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