Foreword

The fastest growing segment of our population is that of people who are over 80 years old. This means that the group of veterans over 80 is also increasing at a rapid rate and they may be entering the frail elderly class. Thus more and more family members of veterans, and veterans themselves, are caring for elderly kin. Until very recently, model programs to assist these family caregivers in their work were not available to them.

Most of these caregivers have little experience in the area of caregiving to the elderly. If it is a spouse caring for a spouse then he or she may be facing their own aging process, with the consequent decline in physical and emotional strength. If the carer is a daughter or daughter-in-law, she may have a spouse, children and career- her life is already full. Sometimes with little warning and less training, any of the carers may be called on to care for elderly relatives. Suddenly they have problems and questions to which they have no answers.

Through the Care for the Caregiver Program (1989-1992), held at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, I have worked for these family caregivers. The Program, funded by Health Canada, introduced the concept of caregiver education and support workshops to Nova Scotia. This program flourished for three years and graduated over 150 caregivers. We know these workshops were, and continue to be, successful because the caregivers told us many times how this experience changed their lives for the better.

What was it that helped? Well, we taught them about the aging process, how to handle their own stress, and how to identify community resources. They became more comfortable with the idea of death and dying and they learned communication skills...and much more. Most of all, in the safe environment we provided, they learned to name and normalize their deep feelings. The similarities in their situations helped them to bond with and support each other.

Women and men trained in the principles of our program are successfully and lovingly carrying on the Care for the Caregiver ideals. It is my hope that through programs such as this present one, the concept will spread into all areas of life.

I congratulate Veterans Affairs Canada for their vision to recognize this great need, the initiative to provide training materials to facilitate the support/education workshops, and the commitment to follow through for the welfare of their veterans and for other family caregivers in community settings.

Roberta Way-Clark
Director - Care for the Caregiver Project (1989-92)