On Thursday, BC Care Providers Association held the first Care to Chat of 2021. “Putting Seniors and Families First” delved into the impact of COVID-19 visitation restrictions on seniors and their families, as well as the vital role family caregivers play across the seniors living and care continuum.
Great panel on BCCPA #CaretoChat about the importance of family caregivers pic.twitter.com/NfCIeKzYzw
— Karen L Biggs (@KarenLBaillie) February 11, 2021
Moderated by BCCPA CEO Terry Lake, the event featured panelists Isobel Mackenzie, B.C. Seniors Advocate; Barb McLean, Executive Director, Family Caregivers of BC; Dr. Maria Chung, Clinical Assistant Professor, Geriatric Medicine, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute; and Ron Pike, Executive Director, Elim Village.
Lake opened the discussion by describing the mental health and emotional toll of isolation caused by COVID-19 restrictions in long-term care and assisted living.
.@SrsAdvocateBC says we are going to have to think about the trauma that visitation restrictions will have on some caregivers. #CaretoChat @BCCareProviders
— EngAge BC (@EngAge_BC) February 11, 2021
Panelists also discussed the use of rapid tests in seniors’ care homes, how to better incorporate family members as part of the care team, and how to help residents maintain social connections, particularly during the pandemic.
According to a survey by Family Caregivers of BC, 40% of caregivers in B.C. – nearly 1 million people – are giving more than 11 hours per week, in addition to other responsibilities including full-time work.
Ron Pike: mental and physical stress on residents and caregivers is difficult to watch. A very difficult balance must be struck.
Barb MacLean: proud of our work with @safecarebc to provide training resource for family caregivers.#CaretoChat
— BC Care Providers (@BCCareProviders) February 11, 2021
Good communication between families and care homes can be a "game changer," in terms of helping caregivers manage during the pandemic says Barb MacLean of @caringbc. #CaretoChat
— EngAge BC (@EngAge_BC) February 11, 2021
BCCPA thanks our Title Sponsor Rexall Health Solutions, Gold Sponsor Point Click Care, Silver Sponsors Sobeys National Pharmacy and Medical Pharmacies Group for their generous support of our Care to Chat speaker series.
Thank you for hosting this very informative session. It was a pleasure to be able to join you and learn more about the impact of COVID on families and long-term care residents and to discuss what changes may be needed post pandemic. #CaretoChat @BCCareProviders https://t.co/3vJlxuB4j7
— Shirley Bond 🇺🇦 (@shirleybond) February 11, 2021
Was great to be a part of this session. Thank you to our front line workers supporting our seniors. When we know better, we do better. #CaretoChat https://t.co/u18lu6mGwM
— Jackie Tegart 🇺🇦 (@tegart_jackie) February 12, 2021
See more of the live tweets from the Care to Chat here.
