A recent report published by B.C.’s Office of the Seniors Advocate found that 29% of unpaid caregivers in B.C. are in distress. Unpaid caregivers, most of whom are family members, are often the only thing standing between a senior being able to continue living at home and needing to be placed in residential care.
For anybody who is caring for an elderly family member or friend, or knows someone who is, United Way British Columbia is here to help. The 2016 United Way British Columbia Family & Friend Caregivers Information and Resource Handbook is an indispensable resource. The handbook is a first of its kind supplying key information about the topics caregivers struggle with the most, including housing, health care and the law. The 120-page handbook includes information on:
- Housing, including information on getting into assisted living and residential care, and a check-list of things to do when a senior has to move
- Caregiver support such as counselling and financial support
- Information on disease-specific programs and websites related to health concerns such as dementia and depression
- Legal resources including how to prepare a representation agreement
- The full range of community services that help seniors to age-in-place in their own homes including United Way’s Better at Home, a program that provides non-medical support services to seniors across B.C., and
- End-of-life issues and care.
Many of the agencies and organizations listed in the handbook are funded by United Way. Information for caregivers is also always available at bc211, a free, 24/7, multilingual information and referral service funded by United Way.