Caregiver Support

Caregiver Connections Resources

About

Caregivers may or may not look for support or resources during their caregiving journey. It can be very hard to ask for help, or to even do a search on the Internet, for information or resources. It can be very overwhelming to enter the term caregiver on the Internet and see the thousands up sites that pop up from all over the world. This section will hopefully help you with resources, giving you info on the resources and the link or connection to use if you think the resource is something you want to explore further.

Each section will have a different focus area. They will be added as this site develops, so check back every few weeks to see what else may have been added. Updates will be included in the monthly HSCA e-news when new information is added to this site (To sign up for our e-newsletter, click here).

You may not be ready to join a support group. You may not be ready or willing to talk about your journey as a caregiver with other caregivers, or even with other family members or friends. But there are a lot of challenges, information, resources, and even connections that can help provide you with support, ideas, and information that might help make your journey a little easier and more manageable.  

Check the Connections below and share any thoughts, ideas etc. that you would like to explore, by sending an email, completing the Caregiver survey, or by submitting the ‘Connect’ form on the Caregiver Connections page.

These resources are intended to support you in gathering relevant information and sort of ‘roadmap’ on your search journey.

If there is another source of information that you have heard about or discovered that you feel should be a part of any of the resources sections that will be created in the Caregiver site, please contact Debbie with any comments you might have.

The Resources section provides a link (click the green text below) and a short description.

Resources

Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) - DURING COVID

  • Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)- During COVID, there is some income support available to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care. This is from the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB). This support can be accessed for a total of 26 weeks until September 25, 2021 for those who are eligible (CRBC, 2021). Visit the CRBC page here to learn more.

  • EI Caregiving Benefits and Leave Program- EI Caregiving Benefits and Leave program is support to help Caregivers who are financially impacted by the need to provide care (for critical care or compassionate care) for a family member. Due to COVID, this program has changed to the Caregiving Benefit above, until September 25, 2021 but you can check out info on the program using the link above.

General Resources for Caregivers

Caregivers Alberta- (1-877-453-5088)-This is an Alberta site that has a variety of connections and a list of programs you can explore. Here are just some of the areas of support and resources you can find on their site:

  • Caregiver Coaches- offering one on one support, listening ear, help navigate the system, find resources, advocate for yourself, and help support your health and well-being. Support can be offered over the phone or by email.

  • COMPASS- a supportive workshop focused on caregiver well-being, self-care and finding balance while caregiving.

  • Online Workshops- There are online workshops and connections. Checking on their calendar will show you the upcoming workshops as well as give you access to past workshops.

Family Caregiver Centre (403-955-1674)- This is a site that is located in Calgary, AB. Supporting people who provide care for others with health conditions and are not paid. Offers support for caregivers who are not paid including: connections to healthcare and community services, a supportive person to talk to, education programs, a library of books, videos, and articles.  Would be a good resource for Calgarians looking for connections and information. Connected to Alberta Health Services (AHS).

Family Caregiving in Canada: COVID-19 & Beyond- This is a digital resource package that also relates to COVID-19. Some of the information relates to specific provinces or regions in Canada, but suggestions may be of benefit on your journey.

Caregiver Connect- Caregivers, and those who support them, want to find the information they need quickly and easily. This website endeavours to help by organizing information into two major sections. For Employers, this section helps employers find the information they need to support their employees, who are caregivers as well. For Employees information directs caregivers to the information they require to give to give their loved ones the best possible care.

Resources for Medical Alert/Lifeline Support

One of the concerns for individuals who provide care and support for seniors, is worry over what might happen, when the senior is alone. Even if we live with a senior, or the senior lives with us, there may be times when they are by themselves, with no one else in the home. Also, there are times when the individual we are supporting, may go out on their own. They might still do their own shopping, drive, or even go for walks. These are times, when as caregivers, our stress and worry levels can increase. While we don't want to focus on worrying about what might happen when they are alone, the reality is that any number of things could happen. One of the ways to help alleviate concerns of this nature, is to consider connecting the senior with some form of lifeline support. There are several types of support available in Alberta, some have been around for many years, and some are relatively new. You may also know someone who is currently using one of these types of support. It might be a good idea to have a conversation with them about the Lifeline they are accessing for the person they support, how happy they are with it, and any challenges or concerns that they have about the program they are using. 

This section includes general information from four Lifeline services available in Calgary, AB with contact information. Information on access to funding for low-income seniors is included at the end. There are also some questions to consider when exploring the types of lifelines that are available.

  • Choosing a Medical Alert System (QMedic, 2020)- this post includes helpful information that may help you to decide what type of medical alert system, or Lifeline, is the best choice for a senior’s current circumstances, before you start looking at available systems. This is an American blog from a medical community but may provide some thoughts to consider.

  • Telus LivingWell Companion(1-888-505-8008)- Support available in English, French, Punjabi, Cantonese and Mandarin. $55/month, automatic fall detection, built in GPS and instant access to help 24/7. No upfront fees and no contract. Built in GPS, no cell phone plan required but unit is cellular enabled, coverage across Canada. 24/7 professional monitoring, 2-way voice communication on the pendant, instant access to a trained operator. Emergency button capability, automatic fall detection, water resistant.

  • Philips Lifeline (1-866-958-9037)- All Help calls are answered in Canada and fees start as low as $36/month. The AutoAlert advanced fall detection. If a fall is detected, the senior has 30 has 30 seconds to cancel the alert or it can be cancelled by the individual standing back up. If the person doesn't cancel the alert within 30 seconds, they are connected to Lifeline's Response Centre who will let you know that help is on the way. Devices include:

    • Standard /Our standard medical alert system helps you maintain your independence in and around the home. HomeSafe quickly connects you to our response centre for 24/7 assistance with a simple push of your Lifeline help button. Uses a Lanyard or a wrist band

    • HomeSafe with alert has the automatic fall detection.

    • GoSafe has the AutoAlert Fall Detection, GPS, WiFi to connect when needed wherever you are when/if you need help.

  • LiveLife Personal Mobile Alarms- This is a device that connects you to family and friends rather than a monitoring centre. There is a one-time fee for the device and $55.00 a year beginning in Year 2 to cover unlimited calls and texts. The Device uses the 4GX mobile network and built-in GPS tracking the LiveLife medical alert pendant that sends up to 6 help messages showing your exact location on Google Maps. Then it calls up to 6 of your emergency contacts one by one until someone answers (can include ‘911’). When an emergency contact answers, you can talk hands free through the waterproof alert pendant using the built-in speakerphone & microphone. 

  • Good Samaritan Telecare (1-800-676-8397)- This program is based in Edmonton and located at 8861 – 75 St / PC: T6C 4G8. There is no cost for these supports listed on the website. You will need to contact them directly for this information (email: telecareinfo@gss.org).

    Devices:

    • Securego- medical alert device embedded with GPS and mobile networK LBS for enhanced location accuracy. Cellular service to two-way communication between senior and monitoring team. Has Advance Fall Detection system – ensures automatic notification of a fall, even when individual is unable to initiate the alert on their own water resistant designed to be worn in the shower. Breakaway release lanyard, and belt clip for wearing

    • Securehome- landline. Two way voice communication. Help button triggers alert.

    • Securehome Fall Detect. Additional feature of Securehome. Automatically detects a fall and sends an alert. Back up battery power during power failure. There are a couple of additional items (safehome cookstop and care calls) that can also be provided.

  • Special Needs Assistance for Seniors - For the current funding cycle (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021), single seniors with a 2019 income of $24,385 or less and a couple with a 2019 income of $38,545 or less, are eligible to receive this support.

     Personal response service monitoring fees: MAXIMUM $20 A MONTH. Benefits are provided for the current benefit year only. (this is a primary funded item). 

    ·       In-home systems connecting to a third-party responder responsible to dispatch emergency services or a caregiver are considered.

    ·       Assistance is not provided for installation, personal GPS tracking systems, security/alarm services, or internal facility response services. 

    ·       Documents to include with your request.

    ·       An estimate or receipt for monthly monitoring fees.

    To confirm eligibility for this support before setting up, call 1-877-644-9992. If you are not on file with Alberta Seniors Benefit, as a contact for the senior, you will need to be with the senior when you call so the senior can give permission to Alberta Seniors to talk to you and speak on their behalf. You will also need to have their Personal Health Number.

    Connecting this way will allow you to learn exactly how to access this support for the senior and what needs to be submitted for the amount to be claimed.

    Generally, the senior will need to pay for the service up front and then be reimbursed by SNA, but this may have changed and contacting SNA will let you know the process to follow.