Where health care is concerned ,it sometimes seems  that we have to wait for everything and we don’t have enough of anything….nurses, oncologists, long term care beds, family doctors…the list grows  with every newspaper we read. At ElderCare Edmonton, we have some good news for you. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU RIGHT NOW.

Our Caregiver Support Program offers the one-to-one support of a registered Social Worker who will talk to you TODAY. (At the very worst, you’ll get a call back tomorrow!) . Under contract with Alberta Health Services, we offer two day programs which provide therapeutic recreation for frail or isolated seniors and a much needed break for caregivers (check out our day program page for details). Right now we have NO WAITING LIST for our day programs.

In this era of service shortages, why is ElderCare Edmonton able to offer such immediate availability? That’s a question with a good news/ bad news answer. In part it is because we are fortunate enough to have funders and partners who support us in meeting demand,  but  it is also because….

TOO MANY CAREGIVERS DON’T RECOGNIZE THEMSELVES AS CAREGIVERS!

If you have given up some or all activities to stay home with a frail spouse, you are a caregiver. If you spend a little or a lot of time running errands for your aging parents, you are a caregiver. If you are concerned about a parent or spouse who is becoming socially isolated, you are a caregiver. Very often, the role of caregiver evolves slowly, beginning with providing a little occasional assistance. Over time the needs and the commitments grow, but the recognition that “I am a caregiver, and I need some help” does not happen.  That recognition needs to happen as early as possible so that help can arrive before caregivers find themselves overwhelmed, tired and desperate. The wellbeing of both the caregiver and the frail senior depend on having resources to support the caregiver. It’s very simple…you can’t help if you’re not healthy. And you can’t remain healthy if you’re stressed and exhausted.

THERE IS NO COST to anyone accessing our Caregiver Support Program. The cost of not getting help can be devastating. If you recognize yourself as a caregiver, no matter how light or heavy your role is, please take advantage of our services. If someone you know is a caregiver, please tell them that help is available. We care too, and we can help NOW.

Paula Hayduk
Executive Director
ElderCare Edmonton