How can building a circle of care around yourself help you continue to deliver the best care? Even the most devoted and capable caregiver needs support in their role. From weekends away to help around the house, letting another caregiver take some of the demands off your plate keeps you well enough, in body and mind, to continue your important work.

Greer Rosequist has plenty of experience being a caregiver, from her former career as a nurse in long-term and palliative communities to offering respite to her sisters, who provide daily care for their mother. This experience led her to a different kind of network—a circle of care—full of friends who serve as consistent supports to those in the group and beyond. What began as a gathering of four has become a coffee collective of a dozen. They step in to assist in whatever capacity they can, from visiting house-bound friends to pitching in on yardwork to staying overnight so a primary caregiver can take some time for themselves.

Though Greer has a background in healthcare, she encourages everyone to help out in whatever capacity they can. Anyone can call up a friend with a simple offer of a cup of coffee. You don’t need nursing skills, Greer says. “You just have to be there.”

Discover the impact of reaching out, as both a caregiver and a friend:

• How to balance care for others and care for yourself;
• Recognize and respect the boundaries inherent in being a secondary caregiver;
• Why it is helpful to appoint a spokesperson within your circle of care;
• The societal importance of enabling people to live in their homes as long as possible.

Resources:

• Episode 2: Speak Out With Courageous Conversations in Caregiving - https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast/episode2-communication/
• Episode 4: How to Make Time to Care for Yourself with Self Care and Boundaries - https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast/episode4-selfcare/
• Asking and Receiving Help with Caregiving - https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/caregiver-learning-center/read-resources/when-asking-for-help-is-hard
• The Embrace of a Caring Circle - https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/archives/20996
• 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:
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Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

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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/