Explore every episode of the podcast Caregivers Out Loud
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Art of Making Memories: Fostering Lost Connections | 25 Nov 2025 | 00:23:33 | |
When a care recipient with Alzheimer's or dementia cannot interact like they used to, how do you forge connections in a new way? That's the question Helga Strauss was faced with when she became a caregiver for her father. Seeking the joy and laughter they had always shared, she turned to visual art—and suddenly, a practice she had always loved rekindled the pathways between them. Today, Helga is a certified therapeutic art practitioner and artist. She applies the skills she developed, while scribbling and dancing to meaningful songs with her father, to assist others in similar situations. Both caregivers and care recipients can discover the power of enjoying the moment and focusing on the process, rather than trying to "fix" or revert to a former self. The pride and joy that come from creating art foster a new way of listening, enabling self-expression and helping to process pain, ultimately rebuilding those precious shared connections. Learn from Helga's welcoming and creative approach to caregiving:
Resources:
Connect With Us! To read a full transcript of each episode, visit the Family Caregivers of BC website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast Visit us at our office: Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter/X https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions - https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Navigating Care in the Sandwich Generation: Dignity, Boundaries, and Advocacy | 30 Sep 2025 | 00:22:08 | |
How do you uphold respect and dignity for an ageing parent when balancing the regular demands of career and children? So many people today are part of the Sandwich Generation—caring for a parent while still managing work and raising kids. Ensuring your parent feels safe and cared for without losing sight of your own boundaries and wellness is a hard balancing act to manage. As a registered nurse who also raised three children on the spectrum, Valerie Wiens was perhaps better prepared than many adult children when it came time to care for her parents in the last years of their lives. She can certainly relate to how overwhelming and difficult it is to navigate the healthcare system for both caregivers and patients. Valerie recognizes the importance of setting aside ego to enable thoughtful communication, an important part of ensuring parents feel dignified and respected as they make the transition to being "parented" by their own children. She also shares her approach to that fine line between demanding respectful care from medical professionals and remaining calm and reasonable in the face of frustrating interactions. As Valerie says, it's important to "be effective" and have "expectations that are reasonable and measurable," both when interacting with the healthcare team and in your own expectations for caregiving. Every caregiving journey will be different, and finding ways to be fully present, whatever that means for you, is the most meaningful gift you can give. Consider the impact your caregiving interactions have, both on your parent and yourself:
Resources:
Connect With Us! To read a full transcript of each episode, visit the Family Caregivers of BC website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast Visit us at our office: Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions - https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Financial Decision Making for Caregivers with Shannon Lee Simmons | 31 Mar 2023 | 00:25:04 | |
At some point in our lives, we'll all be faced with a tough decision we didn't see coming. In most caregiving situations, people enter the caregiving role with love and passion. Then pretty soon, they begin to see some of the bigger implications, such as how finances are a big factor in the choices that affect the care recipient OR the caregiver themself. In today's episode, we chat with Shannon Lee Simmons, a Certified Financial Planner and the author of a new book "No Regret Decisions: Making Good Choices During Difficult Times", to tackle some of the anxiety and emotional stress for caregivers that come with making important financial decisions. And answer the question, how do we make good decisions during difficult times? Resources:
Connect With Us! To read a full transcript of each episode, visit the Family Caregivers of BC website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast Visit us at our office: #6 – 3318 Oak Street, Victoria, BC V8X 1R1 Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am and 4:00 pm
Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267 Fax: (250) 361-2660 Email: info@familycaregiversbc.ca
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc
Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions - https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Caregiving From a Distance - a Long Distance Care Panel | 01 Feb 2023 | 00:35:45 | |
Many caregivers are supporting care recipients from a long distance. This form of caregiving brings with it a unique set of challenges as we try to provide support from afar. In this episode, Bill guides a panel of long distance caregivers, Mary Chan, Karla Wilson, and Victoria Lougheed, through a dynamic conversation filled with positive energy and laughter. The foursome came together to talk about their challenges of caring while not being able to physically be there, and to share some insights including some beautiful moments along the path that have made their caregiving journey a memorable experience. Resources:
Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/
Visit us at our office: #6 – 3318 Oak Street, Victoria, BC V8X 1R1 Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am and 4:00 pm.
Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267 Fax: (250) 361-2660 Email: info@familycaregiversbc.ca
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc
Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| The Dementia Journey: A Caregiver's Toolkit | 01 Jan 2023 | 00:19:44 | |
The experience of living and caring for someone with dementia is not always a universal experience and there can be different situations and patterns. However, there are some similar challenges caregivers face when trying to communicate with care recipients who are living with dementia. In this episode, Bill Israel speaks with Amelia Gillies, a Support and Education Coordinator with the Alzheimer's Society of BC about caring for someone living with dementia. Amelia shares stories she's heard on the support line, and also her own personal experience caregiving for people with dementia. Listen in as she provides education and suggestions for you to try when you're caregiving. Resources: We'd love to share the First Link® Dementia Helpline as our primary resource:
Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/ Visit us at our office: #6 – 3318 Oak Street, Victoria, BC V8X 1R1 Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am and 4:00 pm
Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267 Fax: (250) 361-2660 Email: info@familycaregiversbc.ca
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc
Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Music as a Caregiving Tool | 30 Nov 2022 | 00:21:10 | |
How can we break down barriers and humanize the caregiving process? Through the power of pure emotion, unlocked through music. No matter what your musical background is, music used intentionally can be beneficial to improve health and well-being. Not only for the care recipient, but for you as well, as a caregiver. Today, we'll hear how music enhances the care experience. I sat down with Bev Foster, a co-founder of the Room 217 Foundation and its Executive Director. In this episode, Bev shares her experience caring for her dad and also for her grandmother who journeyed through dementia. Bev incorporated music into his palliative care and found that it was a very helpful tool both for her father and for herself. So much so, that Bev started a foundation to share music as a caregiving tool with other caregivers. Resources:
Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/
Visit us at our office: #6 – 3318 Oak Street, Victoria, BC V8X 1R1 Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am and 4:00 pm. Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267 Fax: (250) 361-2660 Email: info@familycaregiversbc.ca Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Creativity as a Form of Self Care | 15 Feb 2022 | 00:20:01 | |
Engaging with creativity is a form of self-care that can benefit both a caregiver and a care recipient in many ways. In 2015, psychologist and art therapist Dr. Cathy Malchiodi cited multiple studies confirming that being creative can increase positive emotions, lessen depressive symptoms, reduce stress, decrease anxiety, and even improve immune system functioning. A 2016 study in The Journal of Positive Psychology supported these earlier findings, concluding that spending time on creative goals during a day is associated with higher activated positive affect (PA) on that day. Positive affect is the extent to which people experience positive moods, such as joy, happiness, and optimism. Higher positive effects lower stress and expand our perspective so that we notice more possibilities in our lives. In today's episode, Bill chats with Faye Melling, a caregiver for her adult daughter. Faye talks about how being creative has helped her deal with some of the ups and downs in her caregiving journey. She also shares how her daughter is using artistic expression as a way to deal with some of the challenges she's experiencing due to her condition. Resources:
Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/ Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267 Fax: (250) 361-2660 Email: info@familycaregiversbc.ca Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Facility Placement: Managing the Transition to Long-Term Care | 11 Jan 2022 | 00:19:50 | |
For many people as they age, living as long as they can in their own home is ideal. We love our comforts, our routine, and our independence. But there comes a time when the decision to have more support or to move into long-term care becomes a reality, whether because of a medical condition or safety concerns. This decision can be a significant challenge as there are many factors to consider when needing additional support. In this episode, Janet Power, Executive Director of Sunrise Senior Living in Victoria BC, shares great information around transitioning to residential care and steps for gaining more support for the care recipient and caregiver. Resources:
Online Tools and Apps: Route 65 was developed by EngAge BC, a non-profit operating arm of the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA), in response to a visible gap in quality information about seniors' living and wellness options in the province. On Route 65, seekers can find more information on independent living, assisted living, long-term care and home health care options. Route 65 also helps users navigate the seniors living and wellness continuum through our Glossary, Frequently Asked Questions and Resource pages, along with Walter, our 24-7 virtual concierge chatbot, who helps triage seekers to the most appropriate options. Call 1-877-955-6565 or learn more at https://route65.ca/. Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/ Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267 Fax: (250) 361-2660 Email: info@familycaregiversbc.ca Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Moving from Home to a Care Facility - Next Steps | 14 Dec 2021 | 00:13:10 | |
Once the decision has been made that placement in a care community is necessary, caregivers are often faced with the "what next" question. Because there are different levels of care and each community has a different 'personality', it's very important to be as prepared as possible for the transition. In this episode, we chat with Kathy Ajas, who for the last 17-years has worked in the retirement industry, including independent living, assisted living, and short and long-term care. Together, we explore questions caregivers have when considering moving to a new level of care with their care recipient. Resources:
Online Tools and Apps: Route 65 https://route65.ca/ Route 65 was developed by EngAge BC, a non-profit operating arm of the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA), in response to a visible gap in quality information about seniors' living and wellness options in the province. On Route 65, seekers can find more information on independent living, assisted living, long-term care and home health care options. Route 65 also helps users navigate the seniors living and wellness continuum through their Glossary, Frequently Asked Questions and Resource pages, along with Walter, their 24-7 virtual concierge chatbot, who helps triage seekers to the most appropriate options. Contact 1-877-955-6565. Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/ Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267 Fax: (250) 361-2660 Email: info@familycaregiversbc.ca Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| How to Use Writing for Healing and Self-Care | 16 Nov 2021 | 00:15:08 | |
Research shows that family caregivers who list self-care as a priority can better provide care, are at lower risk of burnout and becoming ill, and find more joy in their role as a caregiver. Starting with small acts of self-care can create the opportunity to see the benefits. Calling a friend who lifts you up, accepting help, finding five minutes for a cup of tea in silence, or closing your eyes and breathing for 10 breaths are all acts of self-care. Today we'll hear Rick's story, who shares his caregiving experience with both of his parents. Like many caregivers, Rick didn't expect to be thrown into a caregiving role when he was. He quickly took on the many roles needed to ensure his parents were safe and well-cared for. Caregiving became a full-time job and it was during this time that he started to see his own health and wellness decline. He turned to writing to help him process his experience and feelings and this became a positive and reliant self-care strategy for him. In sharing his caregiving story, we hope you enjoy and feel supported by Rick's point of voice and maybe even consider your own favourite moments of self-care. Resources:
Online Tools and Apps:
Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/ Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267 Fax: (250) 361-2660 Email: info@familycaregiversbc.ca Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Juggling Work and Family Caregiving | 06 Jul 2021 | 00:18:19 | |
28% of Canadians or 1.8 million people, provided care to a family member or friend with a long-term health condition, disability or ageing need in the past year. Three-quarters of this group (6.1 million) were employed at the time, accounting for 35% of ALL employed Canadians. More and more people are becoming caregivers and a lot of these caregivers are balancing employment and caregiving.
Referenced Report:
Highlights:
Resources:
Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/ Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions http://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Grieving Before a Death | 08 Jun 2021 | 00:15:15 | |
When we think about grief, we often think of it as something that happens following a death. However, grief can begin long before death arrives. The grieving process can start as soon as a caregiver is aware that death is a likelihood or once death is on the horizon. Many caregivers dealing with an impending death will experience overwhelm, anxiety and dread. As well, before the death of a care recipient, caregivers grieve the loss of the person's abilities and independence, loss of their cognitive abilities, loss of future dreams, loss of stability and the loss of their identity and the caregivers. Anticipatory loss is not just about accepting the future death, but of the many losses already occurring as an illness progresses. Courtney Doherty is a registered clinical counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. She currently works with Parkinson Society British Columbia, where she helped launch the counselling program in 2015. Today we talk about different forms and stages of loss and grief. And we talk about how a caregiver can plan for loss. Highlights:
Resources:
Links Mentioned in Episode:
Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/ Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions http://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Secondary Caregivers Relieving Primary Caregivers Through Circles of Care | 12 Jun 2025 | 00:16:18 | |
How can building a circle of care around yourself help you continue to deliver the best care? Even the most devoted and capable caregiver needs support in their role. From weekends away to help around the house, letting another caregiver take some of the demands off your plate keeps you well enough, in body and mind, to continue your important work. Greer Rosequist has plenty of experience being a caregiver, from her former career as a nurse in long-term and palliative communities to offering respite to her sisters, who provide daily care for their mother. This experience led her to a different kind of network—a circle of care—full of friends who serve as consistent supports to those in the group and beyond. What began as a gathering of four has become a coffee collective of a dozen. They step in to assist in whatever capacity they can, from visiting house-bound friends to pitching in on yardwork to staying overnight so a primary caregiver can take some time for themselves. Though Greer has a background in healthcare, she encourages everyone to help out in whatever capacity they can. Anyone can call up a friend with a simple offer of a cup of coffee. You don't need nursing skills, Greer says. "You just have to be there." Discover the impact of reaching out, as both a caregiver and a friend:
Resources:
Connect With Us! To read a full transcript of each episode, visit the Family Caregivers of BC website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast Visit us at our office: Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions - https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Friends Caring for Friends - A Circle of Care Approach | 11 May 2021 | 00:20:33 | |
Have you ever said this to a struggling caregiver - "Let me know if there's anything I can do to help?' The offering has good intent, but many times people say it because they don't know how to help, are uncomfortable, or want to be polite. And although 29 percent of caregivers in BC are in distress, you will still hear caregivers say: 'I don't need any help' or 'It's okay, I'm fine'.
Highlights:
Resources:
Online Tools and Apps:
Links Mentioned in Episode:
Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/ Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions http://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| The Gift of Letting Go | 01 Apr 2021 | 00:14:13 | |
Becoming a caregiver can creep up on you. Maybe it starts with dropping by your mom's house to do her laundry or taking your dad to a doctor's appointment or delivering groceries to your friend. Gradually, you find yourself doing more and more as the person you are caring for needs more support. You may not even realize it, you are making a commitment to care for someone else. Today we speak with Katrina who shares her experience of caregiving for her mother with Dementia. Katrina has strong values rooted in family and supporting family, which led her to care for her mother at home. Katrina's episode is honest, raw and real. It is very inspiring to hear despite her caregiver challenges and lessons, she evolved and deepened her spiritual connection with self and with her mother. Highlights:
Resources:
Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/ Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions http://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Grief is a Human Experience | 02 Mar 2021 | 00:17:53 | |
Grief is a human experience and it often feels messy or is accompanied by not knowing if you are "doing it right". Grief and loss can feel isolating. And many caregivers share different examples of grief, such as grieving the loss of your old life during caregiving and then also grieving the loss of the person you are caregiving for. Normal does not exist during grief and in today's episode, we chat with Tricia Wallace, a Clinical Counsellor with Parkinson Society BC about the topic of caregiver grief and loss and suggestions on how to work with these emotions. Highlights:
Resources on Grief and Loss:
Links Mentioned in Episode:
Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/ Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions http://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Grief as a Healing Gift | 02 Feb 2021 | 00:12:55 | |
13 million Canadians or nearly half of the total population have provided care at some point in their lives. Yet caregiving may be a new term for many people. And often, unpaid caregivers do not identify with this title, as they feel it is part of their relationship with family or friends. In today's episode, we speak with Pat, who acknowledges that she was initially unfamiliar with the term caregiver, but learned more about this important role as she supported her husband, also named Pat, through his journey with Parkinson's Disease and dementia. Pat was engaged in a caregiver "learning process", where she listened to her husband to better understand the effects of Parkinson's Disease in his daily life. Because of the value of their partnership, Pat's relationship with her husband during his changing health conditions was sustained through humour and care. You will gain insight into her caregiving journey, awareness of the caregiving role, and the unfolding responsibilities; including end of life care and her current caregiving stages of grief, bereavement, and honouring her husband and life-partner. Highlights:
Resources on Grief and Loss:
Links Mentioned in Episode:
Caregiver Support Line, Toll-Free in BC: 1-877-520-3267.
Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website Visit us at our office: #6 – 3318 Oak Street Victoria, BC V8X 1R1 Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am and 4:00 pm.
Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267 Fax: (250) 361-2660 Email: info@familycaregiversbc.ca
Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative | |||
| Trailer 2021 | 26 Jan 2021 | 00:01:50 | |
No matter where caregivers live, you have access to support. Welcome to "Caregivers Out Loud", a podcast powered by Family Caregivers of British Columbia. This season's podcast is hosted by Bill Israel who will be leading heartfelt, connective conversations with caregivers. By sharing stories of caregivers and insight from community experts, we bring you perspective and connection, and ensure that you have support and balance from inspired caregivers, who are caregiving out loud. Listen wherever you go by subscribing and listening to the podcast for free on your favourite podcast listening app or wherever you listen to audio. You can also listen, read through notes from each episode, and find additional caregiving resources on our website at https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast/. For direct support, call our Caregiver Support Line Toll-Free in BC at 1-877-520-3267, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 7:00 pm Pacific time. | |||
| How to Make Time to Care for Yourself with Self Care and Boundaries | 26 May 2020 | 00:27:27 | |
When was the last time you felt truly rested? For caregivers, making time for self-care can feel almost impossible with all the other demands on your time. And yet, it is an essential skill to learn in your role as a caregiver. In our final episode of the season, we look to why self-care is a fundamental part of being a caregiver. As a caregiver, you are often willing to make sacrifices and feel a sense of commitment. However, without self-care, how can you sustain caring for your family or friend and not run the risk of burning out? Highlights
Quotes "Self care at its basis is being able to see and hear yourself and show yourself some compassion for how difficult it is." - Jodie "Your self care can be absolutely on point and you can still sometimes feel overwhelmed. That's just part of caregiving sometimes." - Jodie "You don't ever imagine that it's going to be like this. And yet, it can get so much better. It's accepting what's there every day and finding ease in it." - Deanna "If I were to look back and think about caregiving, it would be to really understand the feelings and emotions that you are going to go through no matter what, at different times than other people, and to learn about them. That's one tremendous gift that you could give yourself as a caregiver." - Barb "The tasks will always be there but the person won't." - Barb "It can save your life. It can be your lifeline. It can be that piece that just keeps you able to do this important life work for the person or people that need the care." - Deanna on asking caregivers to reach out to get support Links Mentioned In the Episode Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website Visit us at our office: Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative | |||
| Why Speaking Up For Your Needs Matters | 12 May 2020 | 00:28:42 | |
In a healthy relationship, the needs of both people are important - it's a two-way street. Good communication is the key to making sure everyone's needs are met. Whether it is between you and a spouse, or with your friends, successful relationships are all about communication. In today's episode, we share how for caregivers, relationships with others can be more complex than usual. It can be hard to find ways to speak up for your own needs. If you are the primary caregiver, recognizing your own need for support might be difficult - particularly if the care receiver is uncomfortable with the idea - but still, you need to make these choices for yourself. Highlights
Quotes "Relationships are complex, so resentment, sadness, and guilt can still exist in any happy relationship; which is all very normal when you are a caregiver. It takes work to overcome the negatives by seeking help, communicating with your loved one, and having the self-awareness to put it all into perspective." - Jodie "I have to take care of myself. Because if I'm not taking care of myself, who's going to take care of you?" - Nancy to her husband Ted "You are free to ask for anything. But you must also ask for everything that you need. And we agree to only give what we're capable of giving." - Jim's principle to share the truth "The agreement is you tell us the truth about what you need. We will tell you the truth about what we can deliver. Once we got to that point, everybody relaxed, and we got back into the normal rapport because we have a model that we can talk to." - Jim "I felt a little uncomfortable in intervening in what could have been seen as a family affair, a family issue. But I overcame that because I realized the benefit of us all working together, rather than working independently and duplicating some efforts and leaving gaps and others." - Jim Links Mentioned In the Episode Lotsa Helping Hands - online care calendar Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website Visit us at our office: Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative | |||
| Speak Out With Courageous Conversations in Caregiving | 28 Apr 2020 | 00:23:14 | |
Caregiving brings all sorts of challenges that call forth growth, and communication can be one of them. In today's episode, we hear about why good communication with family members and healthcare providers is so important, and often difficult for caregivers. In your role as caregiver, you have to speak up for the needs of the care receiver as well as your own. You need to think about the future and what is in everyone's best interests. This can be especially tough within families. Highlights
Quotes "You have to be able to expose your own vulnerability so at least the healthcare provider can pick up on it. But you also need to be able to connect that to the provision of health care that the patient is no longer being able to receive from this exhausted caregiver." - Dave "The family friend caregivers, who the care recipient says it is, that experience is different and distinct from the patient voice. They're not one in the same. Our work is to bring forward that voice that is unique. A family caregiver role is unique. So if you're discussing anything about that role, it's got to be that voice." - Barb "The steep learning curve that comes with being a caregiver can really take you by surprise. Trying to get the answers and care you are looking for and figuring out how to communicate with medical staff - it's like learning a foreign language." - Jodie Links Mentioned In the Episode Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website Visit us at our office: Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative | |||
| Accessing Caregiver Support Networks | 14 Apr 2020 | 00:26:22 | |
Thank you for joining us for our inaugural episode! Over this first season, we'll focus on caregiver wellbeing. How getting the support you need is vital. Why good communication with family members and medical professionals can be difficult, but rewarding. We'll share some essential tips on how to look after yourself and you'll hear stories from caregivers who have spent a great deal of time and energy living these experiences. These inspiring people will bring balance to caregiving along with the other aspects of your life. Today, we take a look at how few of us can "go it alone" as caregivers. Having relationships with friends or organizations can boost your emotional strength for the marathon of caregiving. We'll examine different sources of support available to caregivers, how to overcome challenges that prevent you from reaching out for support, and what it is like to really acknowledge your role as a caregiver. You'll hear from caregivers who struggled with overwhelm before reaching out to access different kinds of support and the difference it made to their lives. Highlights
Quotes "The more you open yourself up to communication with support groups, to support network, the more you think yes, you know, I guess you are right, I am a caregiver." - Marlene "I acknowledged, I need help. It's also very difficult for a caregiver to take that first step, thinking that it's for themselves because I don't need any help. But if we can share with them that the more you learn, the more information you have, the better you're going to be as a caregiver." - Marlene "Caregiving; it's not something they were trained for. It's something that's just come their way or they felt compelled to become a caregiver." - Ben "It takes caregivers to participate in community and it also takes people to offer that community to the caregivers. If everyone's doing their piece, then caregivers can feel held by community." - Jodie Links Mentioned In the Episode The Change Foundation. For a brief summary, see Spotlight on Ontario's Caregivers. Spotlight on Ontario's Caregivers report – November 2018; page 15. Caregiver Support Line, Toll-Free in BC, 1-877-520-3267. Connect With Us! Family Caregivers of BC Website Visit us at our office: Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative | |||
| Trailer | 18 Feb 2020 | 00:02:05 | |
Welcome to "Caregivers Out Loud", powered by Family Caregivers of British Columbia, hosted by Jodie McDonald. We'll explore how the role of a caregiver can be rewarding, but also that it's emotionally, psychologically, and physically taxing. Through sharing these stories, we'll bring you perspective, connection, and ensuring that you have support and balance by inspiring caregivers, out loud. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast listening app to be notified when the first episode will be available in April 2020. | |||
| Juggling Roles: Finding Balance When Caring for a Parent | 18 Mar 2025 | 00:21:00 | |
How do you navigate the transition from child to caregiver of a parent while supporting both their dignity and your own wellness? Caring for an aging or ill parent comes with countless responsibilities, from prepping meals and scheduling medication to attending appointments and much more. While this shift to caregiver is, in some ways, a natural progression, it also requires you to navigate into a new relationship with your parent. As such, you need to learn how to balance respect and consent for their desires with your own health and happiness. Roma Palmer is a registered clinical counsellor who not only helps parental caregivers but also fills this role herself, first with her mother years ago and now with her father. Today, she shares what she's discovered through her work and firsthand experience juggling family, career, and caregiving. Learn from Roma's thoughtful and proactive approach that keeps respect and love in focus throughout this shifting relationship:
Resources:
Connect With Us! To read a full transcript of each episode, visit the Family Caregivers of BC website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast Visit us at our office: Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions - https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Caregiving for a Partner: Intimacy Reimagined | 10 Dec 2024 | 00:24:52 | |
How do you maintain an intimate relationship when you become a caregiver for your spouse or partner? Sharing life as a couple means facing and overcoming countless challenges. For so many, the ultimate challenge begins when an illness is uncovered, and one of you must become a caregiver to the other. Rene faced this transition when her husband of 20 years was diagnosed with Parkinsons in his mid-40s. In the two decades since his diagnosis, the couple has navigated a dramatic shift in household and relationship responsibilities and must constantly work at alternative ways to maintain intimacy and joy in an often difficult day-to-day. In this episode, Rene Smyth details the ups and downs of how their relationship has changed, and Dr. Linda Franchi, a community counsellor with the Parkinson Wellness Projects, delves into the many facets of intimacy and the adjustments and adaptations spousal caregivers must embrace. Find harmony between the caregiver and romantic partner relationships:
Resources:
Family Caregivers of BC Caregiver Support Line - 1-877-520-3267 (Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4pm PT) Connect With Us! To read a full transcript of each episode, visit the Family Caregivers of BC website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast Visit us at our office: Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions - https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Planning Life's Final Choices: A Guide to End-of-Life Dialogue | 21 Oct 2024 | 00:23:07 | |
How do you begin the difficult dialogue around end-of-life wishes for your care recipient? When you are the caregiver for someone whose health is declining, the reality of death can be overshadowing and feel frightening to acknowledge. So often, it's as though we fear that simply speaking about death will speed it to our door. Karla Kerr, a funeral director and death doula in Victoria, BC, sees things differently. She approaches conversations with families who are facing or have just experienced death in an exploratory and compassionate way that recognizes death is inevitable. Respecting and upholding the wishes of care recipients can only be accomplished through practical, values-centred communication. Death has a tendency to reveal to us what is most important; engaging in these conversations can have a tremendous impact on the depth and intensity of our relationships, especially when we prioritize them when we still have plenty of time, rather than waiting until the end. Discover how Karla's experiences with hundreds of families at this pivotal moment can inform your own conversations with your care recipient:
Resources:
Connect With Us! To read a full transcript of each episode, visit the Family Caregivers of BC website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast Visit us at our office: Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions - https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Supporting Young Caregivers: The Overlooked Caregiver Demographic | 13 Feb 2024 | 00:26:26 | |
What difficulties develop when a child becomes a caregiver to their own parent? Studies show that young caregivers make up at least 12% of Canadian youth. One of these young people is Kristie Mar. At just 16 years old, Kristie set aside a significant part of her adolescence to become the sole carer for her mother, who was navigating schizophrenia and anorexia. The medical professionals, counsellors, and groups from whom she sought assistance, however, never gave her the title of "caregiver." As such, it took her years to think of herself in this way or discover the resources that search term could unlock. Today, Kristie is a medical student and an active participant in this community. She wants to help increase awareness and resources for fellow adolescents who are thrust, so often unprepared and unsupported, into the role of caregiver for their family members. Hear the difficulties a young caregiver faced, caring on her own, including:
Resources:
To read a full transcript of each episode, visit the Family Caregivers of BC website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast Visit us at our office: Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 X / Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions - https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| A Contemporary Approach to Palliative and Hospice Care for Family Caregivers and Their Recipients | 14 Nov 2023 | 00:20:18 | |
How can you build a healthier relationship with death and dying that will benefit both caregiver and recipient? Aaron Yukich is an end-of-life doula, mindfulness practitioner, and hospice care worker. In his work with the Family Caregivers of BC Caregiver Support Line, Aaron incorporates meaning-making and self-reflection into his sessions with caregivers, helping them uncover new ways to provide support to their care recipients without overlooking their own well-being. The end-of-life process has many varied aspects. Aaron helps caregivers navigate this intricate spiritual and emotional experience with grace, through activities and mindsets that can offer comfort and even joy. He also guides them in practical considerations, such as establishing often-overlooked financial and personal mental health support structures. Aaron shares his holistic perspective on providing end-of-life care:
Resources:
Connect With Us! To read a full transcript of each episode, visit the Family Caregivers of BC website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast Visit us at our office: #6 – 3318 Oak Street, Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions - https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| How Brooke Ellison Maintains Dignity and Individuality as a Full-Time Care Recipient | 16 Oct 2023 | 00:22:18 | |
How would you retain your sense of self if you required full-time care? When Brooke Ellison was 11 years old, a car accident left her a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic. Her mother Jean stepped into the role of full-time caregiver, and their familial and caregiving relationship balance has continued for over thirty years. Dr. Brooke Ellison graduated from Harvard, wrote two memoirs, and is a frequent public speaker on resilience, leadership, and hope. In this episode, she reflects on her experiences as a care recipient—both then and now. Specifically, Brooke shares how she navigates disability and how her definition of this term has changed and grown over the years. Brooke shares what care feels like from the other side of the table:
Resources:
Connect With Us! To read a full transcript of each episode, visit the Family Caregivers of BC website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast Visit us at our office: Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions - https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||
| Full-Time Caregiver and Mother: How Jean Ellison Balances Two Essential Roles | 19 Sep 2023 | 00:20:06 | |
How do you honour both yourself and your family member when giving full-time care? In this episode, Jean Ellison speaks about her experience as a full-time caregiver to her daughter, Brooke, whose story of life as a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic is well-known and inspirational. For more than 30 years, Jean Ellison has balanced the roles of full-time caregiver and mother. While it was always clear to Jean that Brooke would live at home and not in a care facility, accepting her new reality and career trajectory was not a simple process. Jean strives to find happiness and laughter in every day, treating each one as a clean slate for both herself and her daughter. Get a glimpse into Jean's challenging and heartening experience:
Resources:
Connect With Us! To read a full transcript of each episode, visit the Family Caregivers of BC website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast Visit us at our office: #6 – 3318 Oak Street, Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267 Fax: (250) 361-2660 Email: info@familycaregiversbc.ca Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187 Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc Thank you! BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients Organized Sound Productions - https://www.organizedsound.ca/ | |||