“Alone we are strong, together we are stronger”
Caregiver roles are rewarding but can also pose challenges and have significant impacts on family and relationship dynamics. When “caregiver stress” is unaddressed, it can build into “caregiver burnout”, a physical, emotional and mental exhaustion.
We provide social work services for caregivers of seniors (55+). Caregivers can access individual counselling, group sessions, education, and access to resources in the areas of aging and memory, dementia (such as Alzheimer’s Disease), chronic illness, coping and self-care strategies, grief and loss, and resiliency.
Who is a caregiver?
A caregiver is a spouse, partner, parent, child, relative or friend who provides unpaid support to seniors (55+) with chronic illness and/or (dis)ability, including age-related concerns living in their own home or a care home and may or may not reside in the same City or Province as the caregiver. Support can include assistance with daily tasks like medication administration, meal preparation or appointment management, and can also include emotional support, and advocacy support.
Are you a caregiver of a senior? JFSC’s Samantha Norberg, our Caregiver and Memory Care Specialist, talks with Silver Shades host Erika Rodriguez about the rewards and challenges of being a caregiver and the JFSC programs specifically designed to support you in your journey. Listen to podcast here.
Caring Together Education and Support Group
Are you caring for a spouse, partner, parent, relative or friend impacted by memory loss or dementia?
Caring Together is a space for caregivers to come together for education and support based on the shared experience of caring for someone living with memory loss or dementia. Access dementia education and resources, explore difficult emotions, and strengthen coping and self care strategies.
This group is facilitated by a registered social worker from our Caregiver Support Program.
Summer 2023 Dates and Session Topics
Session Topics include:
- The Caregiver Label
- Caregiving and Dementia
- Dementia and Responsive Behaviors
- Strengths in Caregiving
- Coping with Conflict in Caregiving
- Caregiver Wellbeing
- Grief and Loss
- Finding Hope in Caregiving
Interested in this group? Contact Samantha at samanthan@jfsc.org or call 403-692-6392.
There is no charge for this program.
Grieving Together Support Group
Grieving Together is for bereaved caregivers of seniors (55+) who have lost the person they cared for.
Facilitated by a social worker, the goal of this group is to support living with grief by helping you:
- process your transition from a caregiver to a griever
- understand your loss and grief
- develop skills and build coping tools
- connect with others in the sharing of your grief journeys
Death is often described as the final transition in the caregiving journey. With so much time and energy contributed to the caregiver role, caregivers are often faced with “now what?” following the death of their person, navigating their life without their person and without the caregiver label. Everyone grieves in their own and unique way and it is not uncommon that caregivers have started grieving well before the physical death of their person.
There are many transformative moments that exist after the death of your person. Moments to accept that life has changed, moments when we begin to live with grief and the memory of the deceased, and moments to grow new connections and experiences. The opportunity to continue your journey with others exists.
Session Topics include:
- Transitioning from Caregiver to Griever
- Coping with Difficult Emotions
- My Grief Story
- Coping Tools
- Caring for Yourself
- Remembering
- Living with Grief
- Embarking on a New Life
Interested in this group? Contact Samantha at samanthan@jfsc.org or call 403-692-6392.
There is no charge for this program.
Caregiver Discussions - Drop-in Sessions
Generalized drop-in group sessions with a focus on practical caregiving strategies, resource navigation, and caregiver self-care.
Caregiver Discussions is a space for caregivers to offer and receive support and exchange strategies based on the shared experience of caregiving. Different topics will be explored each session, such as Communication Strategies and Navigating the Healthcare System.
This complimentary group is facilitated by a registered social worker from our Caregiver Support Program, sessions run from 10:00am - 11:30am.
Please note: These session are offered virtually through Zoom. This is a drop-in group and participants can choose which sessions they will attend. To register, call our intake line at 403.287.3510.
Counselling for Caregivers
Individual counselling support with the purpose to explore options, find solutions, develop coping strategies, identify strengths, locate information and resources, and to promote healing, resiliency and self-empowerment.
Eligibility: Unpaid caregiver to a senior (55+)
Fee for Service: None
Contact us: 403-287-3510 or email info@fsc.org
“I have been to 4 or 5 other caregiver groups throughout the pandemic, and this is the best one I have attended. There is always a plan for our time together and resources shared.” - Caring Together Group Member
Library for Caregivers
Our Library for Caregivers is a new resource at JFSC. Books are available for loan, covering topics that include practical advice and effective strategies to help caregivers of seniors. Click here for more information. Contact Samantha at samanthan@jfsc.org or call 403-692-6392 to reserve your books.