Caregivers Out Loud Family Caregivers of BC

How can you build a healthier relationship with death and dying that will benefit both caregiver and recipient? Aaron Yukich is an end-of-life doula, mindfulness practitioner, and hospice care worker. In his work with the Family Caregivers of BC Caregiver Support Line, Aaron incorporates meaning-making and self-reflection into his sessions with caregivers, helping them uncover new ways to provide support to their care recipients without overlooking their own well-being.
The end-of-life process has many varied aspects. Aaron helps caregivers navigate this intricate spiritual and emotional experience with grace, through activities and mindsets that can offer comfort and even joy. He also guides them in practical considerations, such as establishing often-overlooked financial and personal mental health support structures.
Aaron shares his holistic perspective on providing end-of-life care:
Moving through the transition from palliative to hospice care Resources for addressing the impacts of caring for a care recipient Imbuing the time your loved one has left with more meaning Considering death and dying through a lens of celebration and reflection as well as grief Resources:
United Way Better at Home - https://betterathome.ca/ Island Health Dementia Video Series - https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/seniors/dementia-video-series Discover a local hospice - https://www.chpca.ca/listings/ Hospice care information and assistance - https://www.virtualhospice.ca/ Hospice resources with a cultural focus - https://livingmyculture.ca/ Navigating the End of Life: A Road Map for Caregivers webinar - https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/archives/video/navigating-the-end-of-life-a-road-map-for-caregivers Finding Peace at the End of Life: A Death Doula's Guide for Families and Caregivers by Henry Fersko-Weiss (2020 edition) - https://bookshop.org/p/books/finding-peace-at-the-end-of-life-a-death-doula-s-guide-for-families-and-caregivers-henry-fersko-weiss/13032460?ean=9781590035023 Caring for the Dying: The Doula Approach to a Meaningful Death by Henry Fersko-Weiss (2017 edition) - https://www.amazon.ca/Caring-Dying-Doula-Approach-Meaningful/dp/1573246964 BC Grief and Bereavement Society: list of support groups and other help for BC residents (also some options are across Canada) Contact the Helpline at 604-738-9950 and toll-free 1-877-779-2223 - https://bcbh.ca/groupsandevents/ TalkDeath: death positive, grief and bereavement resources - https://www.talkdeath.com/ Family Caregivers of BC Caregiver Support Line: 1-877-520-3267 (Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4pm PT) Connect With Us!
To read a full transcript of each episode, visit the Family Caregivers of BC website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast
Visit us at our office:
#6 – 3318 Oak Street,
Victoria, BC
V8X 1R1
Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Telephone: (250) 384-0408
Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267
Fax: (250) 361-2660
Email: info@familycaregiversbc.ca
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187
Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc
Thank you!
BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients
Organized Sound Productions - https://www.organizedsound.ca/

How would you retain your sense of self if you required full-time care?
When Brooke Ellison was 11 years old, a car accident left her a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic. Her mother Jean stepped into the role of full-time caregiver, and their familial and caregiving relationship balance has continued for over thirty years.
Dr. Brooke Ellison graduated from Harvard, wrote two memoirs, and is a frequent public speaker on resilience, leadership, and hope. In this episode, she reflects on her experiences as a care recipient—both then and now. Specifically, Brooke shares how she navigates disability and how her definition of this term has changed and grown over the years.
Brooke shares what care feels like from the other side of the table:
Why building a routine is so important when unpredictability is unavoidable How Brooke’s concept of disability as vulnerability has changed over the years The challenge of finding alone time when care needs are so pervasive Considering and communicating about the future despite its uncertainty Resources:
Family Caregivers of BC Caregiver Support Line: 1-877-520-3267 (Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4pm PT) Learn more about Brooke - https://www.brookeellison.com/ Look Both Ways by Brooke Ellison - https://bookshop.org/p/books/look-both-ways-brooke-ellison/18034792?ean=9781951568184 Miracles Happen by Brooke Ellison - https://www.amazon.ca/Miracles-Happen-Mother-Daughter-Journey/dp/0786867701 Connect With Us!
To read a full transcript of each episode, visit the Family Caregivers of BC website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast
Visit us at our office:
#6 – 3318 Oak Street,
Victoria, BC
V8X 1R1
Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Telephone: (250) 384-0408
Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267
Fax: (250) 361-2660
Email: info@familycaregiversbc.ca
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187
Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc
Thank you!
BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients
Organized Sound Productions - https://www.organizedsound.ca/

How do you honour both yourself and your family member when giving full-time care? In this episode, Jean Ellison speaks about her experience as a full-time caregiver to her daughter, Brooke, whose story of life as a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic is well-known and inspirational.
For more than 30 years, Jean Ellison has balanced the roles of full-time caregiver and mother. While it was always clear to Jean that Brooke would live at home and not in a care facility, accepting her new reality and career trajectory was not a simple process. Jean strives to find happiness and laughter in every day, treating each one as a clean slate for both herself and her daughter.
Get a glimpse into Jean’s challenging and heartening experience:
What it was like to be trained and tested to care for her own daughter Who she has become despite an unforeseeable change in her life’s direction Where she finds the middle ground between home care and motherly compassion How hope and acceptance can combine to create a fulfilling life despite the obstacles. Resources: 
https://www.brookeellison.com/ Family Caregivers of BC Caregiver Support Line: 1-877-520-3267 (Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4pm PT) Connect With Us!
To read a full transcript of each episode, visit the Family Caregivers of BC website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast
Visit us at our office:
#6 – 3318 Oak Street,
Victoria, BC
V8X 1R1
Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Telephone: (250) 384-0408
Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267
Fax: (250) 361-2660
Email: info@familycaregiversbc.ca
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187
Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc
Thank you!
BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients
Organized Sound Productions - https://www.organizedsound.ca/

At some point in our lives, we’ll all be faced with a tough decision we didn’t see coming. In most caregiving situations, people enter the caregiving role with love and passion. Then pretty soon, they begin to see some of the bigger implications, such as how finances are a big factor in the choices that affect the care recipient OR the caregiver themself. In today’s episode, we chat with Shannon Lee Simmons, a Certified Financial Planner and the author of a new book “No Regret Decisions: Making Good Choices During Difficult Times”, to tackle some of the anxiety and emotional stress for caregivers that come with making important financial decisions. And answer the question, how do we make good decisions during difficult times?
Resources: 
Shannon Lee Simmon’s new book: “No-Regret Decisions: Making Good Choices During Difficult Times” - https://bookshop.org/p/books/no-regret-decisions-making-difficult-decisions-in-difficult-times-shannon-lee-simmons/15788581?ean=9781443463454
Connect with Shannon - https://shannonleesimmons.com/
FCBC Overview of Financial General Resources, Tax Benefits and Credits for Caregivers - https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Guide-to-Financial-Assistance-for-Caregivers.pdf
Involuntary Separation Article - https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Involuntary-Separation.pdf
Government of Canada Benefits Finder - https://srv138.services.gc.ca/daf/q?id=37d7bcd6-f3f3-492b-ac3e-b869d7fb005c&goctemplateculture=en-ca
Family Caregivers of BC Caregiver Support Line: 1-877-520-3267 (Mon-Fri 8:30am-4pm PT) 
Canada Revenue Agency General Enquiries Line: 1-800-959-8281 (Mon-Fri 8 am- 8pm and Saturday 9am-5pm) 
Connect With Us!
To read a full transcript of each episode, visit the Family Caregivers of BC website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast
Visit us at our office:
#6 – 3318 Oak Street,
Victoria, BC
V8X 1R1
Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am and 4:00 pm
 
Telephone: (250) 384-0408
Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267
Fax: (250) 361-2660
Email: info@familycaregiversbc.ca
 
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187
Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc
 
Thank you!
BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients
Organized Sound Productions - https://www.organizedsound.ca/

Many caregivers are supporting care recipients from a long distance. This form of caregiving brings with it a unique set of challenges as we try to provide support from afar. In this episode, Bill guides a panel of long distance caregivers, Mary Chan, Karla Wilson, and Victoria Lougheed, through a dynamic conversation filled with positive energy and laughter. The foursome came together to talk about their challenges of caring while not being able to physically be there, and to share some insights including some beautiful moments along the path that have made their caregiving journey a memorable experience.
Resources: 
Caregiving From A Distance - https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Caregiving-from-a-Distance.pdf Tips For Lond Distance Caregivers - https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Tips-for-Long-Distance-Caregivers.pdf Closing the Gap - https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Closing-the-Gap.pdf Caring For Yourself While Caring For Others (webinar) - https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/archives/video/caring-for-yourself-while-caring-for-others Connect With Us!
Family Caregivers of BC Website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/
 
Visit us at our office:
#6 – 3318 Oak Street,
Victoria, BC
V8X 1R1
Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am and 4:00 pm.
 
Telephone: (250) 384-0408
Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267
Fax: (250) 361-2660
Email: info@familycaregiversbc.ca
 
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187
Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc
 
Thank you!
BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients
Organized Sound Productions https://www.organizedsound.ca/

The experience of living and caring for someone with dementia is not always a universal experience and there can be different situations and patterns. However, there are some similar challenges caregivers face when trying to communicate with care recipients who are living with dementia. In this episode, Bill Israel speaks with Amelia Gillies, a Support and Education Coordinator with the Alzheimer's Society of BC about caring for someone living with dementia. Amelia shares stories she's heard on the support line, and also her own personal experience caregiving for people with dementia. Listen in as she provides education and suggestions for you to try when you’re caregiving.
Resources: 
We’d love to share the First Link® Dementia Helpline as our primary resource:
English: 1-800-936-6033 Monday to Friday 9 am to 8 pm Cantonese and Mandarin: 1-833-674-5007 Monday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm Punjabi: 1-833-674-5003 Monday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm Alzheimer’s Society of BC https://alzheimer.ca/bc/ Creativity as a Form of Self Care episode https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast/episode-14-creativity-as-a-form-of-self-care Family Caregivers of BC Caregiver Support Line at 1-877-520-3267 Connect With Us!
Family Caregivers of BC Website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/
Visit us at our office:
#6 – 3318 Oak Street,
Victoria, BC
V8X 1R1
Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am and 4:00 pm
 
Telephone: (250) 384-0408
Toll-Free Line Within BC: 1-877-520-3267
Fax: (250) 361-2660
Email: info@familycaregiversbc.ca
 
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCaregiversBC/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/familycaregiversofbc/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/18122187
Twitter https://twitter.com/caringbc
 
Thank you!
BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients
Organized Sound Productions https://www.organizedsound.ca/