WHO IS A CAREGIVER?
A family member who regularly looks after an elderly relative who has Dementia, Alzheimer’s or related diseases and or serious mobility problems, without remuneration.  A caregiver can be any age, our clients are mostly spouses or offspring of the elderly individual that is being taken care of.

IN QUEBEC, AT LEAST ONE IN FOUR ADULTS ARE CAREGIVERS. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

As the elderly population increases, it will be increasingly difficult for public services to address all the needs, this is why the natural caregiver has a very important role in helping to address these needs.  Caregivers often have other responsibilities to deal with as well such as for their children and or work. The natural caregiver requires support and information in order to improve their communication and technique strategy in dealing with their elderly relative.  Caregivers must insure that they take care of themselves first, before being able to help the elderly individual, in order to prevent burnout.

IT IS NORMAL THAT YOU :

Feel isolated, overwhelmed;
• Feel the need to speak with someone or to join a support group;
• Not know to whom or where to turn to;
• Want to know what home care and other support resources are available in your area for you and for the elderly person you are caring for;
• Need support, counselling and information;
• Need a break to do your errands or go on vacation;
• Need information on senior residences;
• Would like to improve your intervention skills;
• Would like to know about mandates of incapacity

Our goal is to reach as many natural caregivers as we can, early enough to provide the accompaniment and information required to deal with their elderly loved one who has Dementia or Parkinson’s and so that they can be prepared for the stages ahead.

For the Director’s commentary on Natural Caregivers, refer to the article on Caregivers Must Learn To Dance In The Rain or for more more information please contact us.


Every year we reach at least 50 new caregivers of the elderly

45%: OF ELDERLY HELPED BY CAREGIVERS we help support have serious mobility issues, muscular dystrophies, schizophrenia, depression, blindness, cancer or require regular kidney dialysis treatment.

50% +: OF ELDERLY HELPED BY CAREGIVERS we help support have Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or Down’s Syndrome


For information and schedules of our support groups, conferences, workshops or café-rencontres, contact us