The term ‘caregiving’ applies to many scenarios. The essential work of caring for adults—whether it be due to age, long-term illness or disability—is often unpaid and undertaken by family or friends in addition to their own jobs and day-to-day responsibilities. A recent study found that approximately one in four Canadians have been responsible for a care-dependent adult. Additionally, many caregivers support more than one care-dependent group, with 34 per cent providing care both to children under 15 and aging parents.
While caregiving is crucial and can be incredibly rewarding, every situation also has its challenges. With eldercare, worries about health and safety, isolation and finances are common. Caring for aging parents or family members in particular can be emotionally taxing, both for those providing and receiving care. Many people find themselves navigating these complexities without knowing where to turn. That’s where eldercare guidance can help.
If you’re not exactly sure what that is, you’re not alone! To help, we connected with Amy Friesen, an eldercare specialist in our network, to share some insights into this valuable support.
Tell us a bit about what eldercare entails.
Essentially, eldercare refers to support or assistance provided to older adults. It encompasses all areas of life, including daily care tasks and activities, finances, housing support and more.
Sounds like multi-faceted work! Can you elaborate on what eldercare specialists do?
Eldercare specialists help clients—seniors, caregivers and their families—with creating plans for senior care that they can implement as needed. This includes getting a big-picture look at each client’s unique situation and ensuring that all areas are addressed holistically, like fitting together many moving pieces of a puzzle.
Eldercare specialists often have diverse experience, with backgrounds in support-related professions like senior living, finance and health care.
What can someone expect when accessing eldercare guidance?
Whether you’re seeking support for a family member or yourself, the process starts with reaching out to be matched with a professional in the Arcora Network best suited to meet your needs.
When they connect with you, the eldercare specialist will want to know about all those moving pieces I mentioned! Expect to be asked about current health care needs and any potential future needs to be considered. We often have conversations about home safety, including when to look into assisted living facilities.
Finally, there are all the pieces that fit in the middle: finances, priorities, who else is involved and what types of paperwork to have in place.
Why should someone seek eldercare guidance?
The main reason for speaking with an eldercare specialist is to get all your ducks in a row. Seniors and their families often don’t want to discuss eldercare, which leaves many people open to being affected by a crisis.
This guidance helps with creating a fluid plan that works for the situation and those involved. The goals are to avoid any medical crises and ensure proper supports are in place so seniors can enjoy this chapter of their lives as much as possible.
How do you think eldercare guidance fits in as a mental health support?
Eldercare guidance plays a crucial role in mental health for both the senior and their close family, as navigating eldercare often involves stress, emotional strain and tough decisions.
By offering their knowledge and experience in a balanced, supportive environment, eldercare specialists can help mitigate stress, enhance emotional well-being and ensure both seniors and caregivers feel heard and cared for.
What do you love about the work you do?
What don’t I love, really? I love hearing the relief from caregivers and seniors when we come up with a plan. I love making this chapter a little easier for them as well, knowing that we’re making a significant difference for a family by being right by their side to teach them about this often-overwhelming journey.
We hope that this look at eldercare guidance through a professional lens has helped you better understand this support—and get to know one of the awesome eldercare specialists in our network! If you’re interested in accessing eldercare guidance through your Arcora EAP, reach out.
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