Executive Director’s Report – May 2018

Did you know – SCOA’s Positive Aging Resource Centre and Caregiver Information and Support Centre are unique to Saskatchewan?

One in five Canadians are caregivers and they are an essential link in the health care chain, though often forgotten. Many caregivers are sandwiched between employment and caregiving duties which creates extreme stress. If stress continues, caregiver burnout often results. Inability to find information and support is the cause of much caregiver frustration.

Our Centre provides information and support for older adults and caregivers in Saskatoon and for other provinces. This past year SCOA had over 22,902 visitors and requests for services at our Positive Aging Resource Centre in Saskatoon!

Caregivers enjoyed recent workshops provided by SCOA.  Some comments:
“it’s great to realize that I don’t have to be perfect; all so good, such a variety, thank you; I learned about taking time for me; it’s great to share tips from other caregivers; this information is exactly what we need to be a caregiver with less guilt; really important to be able to discuss in small groups – sharing time; liked the practical tools of self care and the phrase “things have changed and I have changed.”

We are grateful for the support of the Royal University Hospital Foundation Community Mental Health Endowment Grant program and for the opportunity to provide workshops to the many caregivers throughout the city. The most significant success of providing caregiver workshops is that they reduce isolation and facilitate the opportunity for learning, and social networking. This means less isolation, better connections to resources and tools, and the opportunity to share their experiences with other caregivers.

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Using Technology to Support the Role of Family Caregivers to Older Adults

In partnership with SCOA, Drs. Lorraine Holtslander and Shelley Peacock have received SHRF funding for their project, which combines technology and caregiving. 

Family caregivers are the backbone of the health care system, providing an immense amount of unpaid care, often with very little support from others. A team of researchers from the University of Saskatchewan, with backgrounds in nursing and psychology are working with the Saskatoon Council on Aging (SCOA) and a local technology company, Refresh Enterprises, to develop and test an app that they hope will improve and support the caregiver experience. 

College of Nursing co-principal applicants Drs. Lorraine Holtslander and Shelley Peacock, alongside co-applicants Drs. Kristen Haase (College of Nursing) and Megan O’Connell (College of Arts & Science), have received Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Collaborative Innovation Development funding for this project. They plan to build a community of caregivers where individuals can obtain support, gather information, and find relief through an innovative internet-based smart phone tool.

There will be eight focus group sessions, at the Saskatoon Field House, where they will interview a number of family caregivers to collect data on the type of support the caregivers would like to have available through the app. This project has great potential to impact the health of Saskatchewan residents, as most older adults would like to remain in their own homes, supported by their families and they are looking for creative, online solutions, information and support on how to do so.

For more information, contact Sheila Angelstad, Volunteer/Program Coordinator.
306-652-4411

 

 

Caregivers Week 2018

March 18 to 24, 2018 is designated as Caregivers Week in Saskatchewan. This week celebrates the work of informal caregivers who provide unpaid care for loved ones, neighbors or friends. Statistics Canada (2012) reports there are over 8 million Canadians who provide care to family members or friends. Most caregivers provide care for aging parents or in-laws with women most likely to assume the caregiver role. Throughout this year’s Caregivers Week, the Saskatoon Council on Aging presents a workshop series for resources and support to assist caregivers in their vital roles.

Tuesday, March 20, 2018  CADTH “Fundamentals of online Health Care Research”
CADTH [Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health ]is a not-for-profit organization who provides credible, objective evidence to inform healthcare decision-making.This introductory workshop, open to anyone, will provide participants with basic tips and tricks for locating evidence, reading evidence with a critical eye, understanding evidence, and applying evidence to the real world.
Presenter: Kathleen Kulyk, RN, BSN, MN, CADTH Liaison Officer, SK
Cliff Wright Library – 1635 McKercher Drive 1 pm – 3:30pm
Cost: FREE (Drop in – no registration)

Thursday, March 22, 2018- ABC’s of Dementia/First Link presented by the Alzheimer’s Society of Saskatchewan
Dementia is a general term that refers to a variety of brain disorders. Physical changes in the brain cause dementia.
Learn the ABC’s of dementia, its impact on the brain, and how to keep your brain healthy.
Mayfair United Church – 902 33rd Street West
1 pm – 3:00 pm Cost: $10 registration fee. To register contact 1-306-652-2255 or further information visit www.saskatooncaregiver.ca

Friday, March 23, 2018 “Easing the Stress” of Caregivers”
All Day Workshop Emmanuel Baptist Church – 1636 Acadia Drive
10:00am – 3:00pm Cost: $20 (Lunch included)

Morning Presenter: 10:00 am
“Practical tools for easing the stress of caregivers” – Tanis Walmsley Social Worker Community Services, SHR
Lunch: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Afternoon Presenters: Mindful Exercises with Dave Wake, Canadian Mental Health Association
Music Therapy with Wes Froese
Forever in…motion stretching exercises with Kimberley Willison
Facilitated discussion groups

To register contact 1-306-652-2255 or further information visit www.saskatooncaregiver.ca

Help for Family Caregivers:

Introducing a new EI Family Caregiver benefit – Read more ….