Century House puts on Caregiver Support Group Meetings on Zoom

Many of us will end up looking after someone in your family or a friend who is very ill. It can be a daunting, 24 hour a day, lonely job. New Westminster's Century House puts on many sessions on Zoom every year to help caregivers. Peg Hinkley and Lois Brassart put on two five- week sessions for small groups so that they there is time for providing good information and for allowing interaction among the participants. The program was started 3 years ago and has had excellent attendance. In these sessions, they cover a number of topics such as the emotional ups and downs of being a caregiver, dealing with stress, dealing with depression and isolation and finding some personal equanimity in the process. Peg and Lois also facilitate conversations among the group on topics of particular interest to each group.The group conversations creates understanding among and cohesion in the group. In fact, the group worked together to find one participant a family doctor successfully – quite a feat in a time when it is difficult to find one. Peg has a strong related educational background and a long work history helping people in various roles. Lois's background is on the technical side, but her own experience caregiving for her husband adds considerably to the Zoom meetings. Peg, herself, has been on both sides of the role, caregiver and recipient of care. Peg emphasizes at every meeting that the participants are playing an important role in their loved one's life, one of honour. As Lois says, this in itself, provides a positive aspect to the sessions.