What Caregivers Wish You Knew

When we imagine a better future for aging and care, we must begin with those who live it firsthand.  In this episode, Donna Duncan speaks with two caregivers who share their own experiences of moving loved ones into long term care. Laura Vita became a young caregiver for her father. Now a registered nurse, she brings a powerful mix of personal and professional perspective to this conversation. Christa Haanstra is a national leader in caregiver advocacy — and a caregiver to her father, who lives with front temporal dementia. She’s also the founder of 4C Strategy, where she helps health and community leaders center caregiver voices in care system design. While the move to long term care if often perceived as difficult and disconnected, Laura and Christa say it doesn’t have to be. In this conversation, you’ll hear not only about the challenges they faced, but also the relief they felt when they realized their loved ones would be safe and supported in their new homes. If community leads to continuity then caregivers are the ones who show us how best to balance policies and practises with peace of mind for families.

Resources: New to caregiving or looking for peer support? Helpful resources available from the Ontario Caregiver Organization Need to coordinate home care or apply to long-term care? Visit Ontario Health atHome Making the Move to Long-Term Care? Family Councils Ontario has a guide from those who’ve gone through the transition Worried about significant changes in behaviour in someone you care for? Reach out to Behavioural Supports Ontario What’s the vision for a dementia-friendly Ontario? Learn about the Ontario Dementia Care Alliance

This episode was generously sponsored by our Sector Champion, Plan A.