Resource Guide for Family Caregivers
6:
Informal and Formal Advocacy
Family caregiver as advocate
Complaints about elder abuse
Ombudsman’s Office
Vancouver Island Health Authority complaints process
Resource Guide Evaluation
Acknowledgements
Frequently Asked Questions
Being a Family Caregiver...
Meaning of being a family caregiver
What challenges can you expect
What it means to be a care recipient
Recognizing emotional responses
Caregiving from a distance
Does your family member need care
Self-care
The importance of self-care
Checking in
Common sense basics
Respite – getting a break
Self-care and physical health
Self-care and spiritual health
Selfcare mental & emotional health
Self-care tips
Understanding Normal Aging
Overview to the aging process
Physical/sensory changes with aging
Memory/cognitive changes with aging
Mental health with normal aging and identifying symptoms of depression
Family Caregiving and the Workplace
Balancing caregiving and work
Supporting family caregivers at work
Seeking info & support in workplace
Human resource policies and benefits flexible work options
Role of human resources, occupational health or union rep in addressing family/work issues
References and additional resources
Working as a Team with Health Care Providers
Being part of the care team
Communicate with healthcare providers
Communicating with the doctor
Overcoming common difficulties with health care providers
Roles of health care providers
Informal and Formal Advocacy
Family caregiver as advocate
Complaints about elder abuse
Ombudsman’s Office
Vancouver Island Health Authority complaints process
Community-based Support Services
What are community-based supports/services?
Family Caregivers’ Network Society
Community support organizations for those in need of assistance
Volunteer organizations and visiting programs
Meal programs and grocery delivery services
Delivery services
In-home support services
Transportation services
Equipment supplies and loan cupboards
Medical alert systems
Community bathing services
Assessments
Common types of assessments
Long term care assessments
Geriatric Outpatient Clinic
Psycho-geriatric assessments (Elderly Outreach Service)
Activity of Daily Living assessments
Supportive living and/or residential care assessments
Home-based Care Services
What are home-based care services?
What’s the difference between home support and home nursing care?
How can I access home-based care services (and what are the costs)?
What is the role of the Long Term Care Case Manager?
Home support
Quick Response Team
Community rehabilitation services
Adult day programs
Victoria Innovative Seniors Treatment Approach (VISTA)
Nutrition services
Lab services
Respite care
What is a home chart or a travelling client record?
Home Chart
Moving from Home to Facility
Caregiving after placement from a caregiver’s perspective
Caregiving after placement from a psychologist’s perspective
What is the difference between residential care facilities, assistive living and supportive living housing?
How do I gain access to publicly funded residential care facilities? What are the eligibility criteria?
Choice of facilities
Costs of residential care facilities and supportive living residences
Private residential care facility options
Preparing for the move to a facility
Personal advance health care directive
Preparing emotionally for the move to a facility
Acute Care (Hospital)
Hospital admissions
Preparing for an emergency visit to the hospital
Preparing for a scheduled hospital stay
Preparing for diagnostic tests
While the care receiver is in the hospital
Discharge from the hospital
Convalescence and rehabilitation
When the care receiver cannot go back home
From a care facility to a hospital, and back
Support programs
Summary
Palliative Care
What is palliative care?
Palliative care and end of life
Palliative care and dementia
Hospice in Greater Victoria
How do I access palliative care?
Financial Considerations
Medical expenses
Long-term care insurance
What to do if you are on a limited income
Federal government services
Provincial government services
Incapacity Planning and After Death
Adult guardianship laws
Enduring power of attorney
Representation agreements
Wills and estate issues
Caregiving arrangements — other considerations
Advance directives
Contact Information
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