Taking Care of Care Partners
By meghan gorosh, RSW, SEP
It is crucial to remember that behind most care recipients, a dedicated care partner—someone fundamental in supporting and ensuring the well-being of those for whom they care—is silently working in the background. Whether tending to physical needs, providing emotional support, or managing administrative tasks, care partners shoulder immense responsibility. Often experiencing physical, mental, and emotional stress, the risk of fatigue is all too real when care partner concerns, needs, and well-being are not supported.
Caregiving brings a wide range of emotions, from joy, connection, and satisfaction to guilt, anger, and grief. Respite care is essential, as is community care. Temporary relief provided by professional services or other family members can allow care partners to take regular breaks, helping to mitigate fatigue and injury, and maintain overall well-being.
To ensure care partners receive the support they deserve, it’s essential to implement multifaceted measures. Awareness campaigns can shed light on the challenges they face, reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations. Accessible mental health services tailored to their needs can provide a safe space to express their emotions and seek guidance. Respite care is a vital component, allowing care partners to take breaks and recharge. This could involve temporary relief provided by trained volunteers or professionals, offering care partners the chance to tend to their own needs without guilt.
According to Statistics Canada, more than one in four Canadians are caregivers, providing care for family members or friends with long-term conditions. Financial support mechanisms, including subsidies for caregiving expenses, tax breaks and caregiver employment insurance benefits, may assist with financial strain. In addition, education and training opportunities empower care partners with necessary skills and knowledge on available resources, tools and community health services. Regional government health websites are an excellent place to start.
Open and honest communication between care partners, care recipients, and healthcare professionals is vital for effective caregiving. Regular discussions about expectations, concerns, and the overall care plan can foster a collaborative approach, reducing stress and improving the quality of care. To help reduce stress, it’s important to take time, as care partner Sharon Recalma knows.
“Being a care partner to my husband who was on dialysis during COVID was an especially difficult period, and it led me to look for ways to help deal with the added stress,” says Sharon Recalma. “I had been belly dancing for a few years when COVID hit and our close community had to find new and inventive ways to continue to connect and support each other. Although belly dancing is something I do just for me, I love it and am constantly amazed by the difference it makes to my physical and mental state. Not only have I met a new community of friends, after each class I feel more energized and now dance is a part of my weekly routine. Dancing helps me to be more focused and engaged to support my husband and look after our day-to-day needs.”
Talking to other care partners who have shared lived experiences can also help. Ultimately, a society that cares for its care partners nurtures compassion. By fostering a culture that values their contributions, we ensure the well-being of those who tirelessly care for others, promoting a healthier and more empathetic community as a whole.