Grief as a Healing Gift
02/02/21 • 12 min
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:
- Caregiving was a new term for Pat and then she was full-in caregiving mode.
- Supporting her husband with humour and care for their relationship was very apparent.
- Loss and grief - knowing he is still there with her by showing up in signs or thoughts.
- Giving back by supporting others in a caregiver support group.
Resources on Grief and Loss:
- The Grief Response Article, By Janet McLean.
- Webinars around Grief and Loss: https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/video/coach-caregiver-loss-grief/ and https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/video/navigating-the-end-of-life-a-road-map-for-caregivers/
Links Mentioned in Episode:
- Janet Fast, “Caregiving for Older Adults with Disabilities: Present Costs, Future Challenges” Institute for Research on Public Policy Study (December 2015).
- Family Caregivers of BC Caregiver Support Groups
- Parkinson Society BC Resources
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: [email protected]
Thank you!
BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative
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:
- Caregiving was a new term for Pat and then she was full-in caregiving mode.
- Supporting her husband with humour and care for their relationship was very apparent.
- Loss and grief - knowing he is still there with her by showing up in signs or thoughts.
- Giving back by supporting others in a caregiver support group.
Resources on Grief and Loss:
- The Grief Response Article, By Janet McLean.
- Webinars around Grief and Loss: https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/video/coach-caregiver-loss-grief/ and https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/video/navigating-the-end-of-life-a-road-map-for-caregivers/
Links Mentioned in Episode:
- Janet Fast, “Caregiving for Older Adults with Disabilities: Present Costs, Future Challenges” Institute for Research on Public Policy Study (December 2015).
- Family Caregivers of BC Caregiver Support Groups
- Parkinson Society BC Resources
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: [email protected]
Thank you!
BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative
Previous Episode
Trailer 2021
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.
Next Episode
Grief is a Human Experience
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:
- Grief and the grief process.
- Mourning rituals and practices.
- Grieving during caregiving (loss of 'old life') and also loss of the person you are caregiving for.
- There is no right or wrong way to grieve.
- Normal does not exist during grief.
- End of life planning.
Resources on Grief and Loss:
- Grief is a Universal Experience (Caregiver Grief Process and Life after Caregiving) https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/emotions-of-caregiving/life-after-caregiving/
- Canadian Virtual Hospice on Grief and Loss - Explore the process of grief and get support from the privacy of your home. https://www.mygrief.ca/
- Canadian Virtual Hospice, Grief and Loss Articles https://www.virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home/Topics/Topics/Emotional+Health/Grief+Work.aspx
- Grief and Loss Webinarwith Thomas Attig https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/video/coach-caregiver-loss-grief/
- The Grief Response Article, written by Janet McLean on Thomas Attig Work https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/emotions-of-caregiving/the-grief-response/
- BC Bereavement Helpline https://www.bcbh.ca/ - Support Line: 1-877-779-2223
Links Mentioned in Episode:
- Family Caregivers of BC Caregiver Support Groups https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/family-caregiver-support-groups/
- Parkinson Society BC Resources https://www.parkinson.bc.ca/resources-services/resources/
- Caregiver Support Line, Toll-Free in BC: 1-877-520-3267.
Connect With Us!
Family Caregivers of BC Website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/
Telephone: (250) 384-0408 Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267 Fax: (250) 361-2660 Email: [email protected]
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/
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