A bi-monthly newsletter published by the

Supporting Family Caregivers Across the Lifespan Project

T h e Fa m i l y C a r e g i v e r s ’

G r a p e v i n e

November/December 2011

There’s no place like home. That’s especially

true for those who’ve lived in the same place

for a lifetime. While many seniors live inde-

pendently, there may come a time when they

have to downsize, whether to a smaller, easier

to maintain space or to some sort of sup-

ported living. Like any transition, it can be

stressful for the person who is moving—and

for those helping them move.

The task of dealing with the possessions gath-

ered over many years can be overwhelming.

What, to some, may seem like heaps of use-

less items can actually be precious objects

with attached memories. Parting with those

things can represent yet another loss in an

elder’s life.

Caregivers, on the other hand, often feel torn

between the need to get the job done in time

for moving day and the desire to allow their

loved one to sort through their possessions at

their own pace. “The important thing,” says

decluttering coach Anna Camporese, “is to re-

assure them that they are going to be

respected and that their things are going to

be respected.”

Camporese believes six months is an ideal

timeline—no matter how much time you

have, the first step is to make a list of things

that need to be done. Those tasks can then be

broken down into manageable chunks, with a

set deadline for each one. She points out that

seniors can become quite fatigued so it’s a

good idea to deal with one drawer or one box

at a time, and focus only on that.

Seniors are advised to keep items they’ve

used for hobbies, such as sewing machines or

knitting supplies, since they may want to

Transitions in Later Life

by Josie Padro

continued on page 2

Istock image

The Family Caregivers’ Grapevine Page 2

re-engage in the activity in their new home. A

small selection of kitchen supplies is also

worth keeping. Even though many seniors’

residences provide meals, suites may have

small kitchens which are handy for preparing

snacks and simple meals.

Downsizing is a good time for seniors to be-

queath special items to close friends and fam-

ily. It’s not only an opportunity to make sure

that valued possessions go to people who will

enjoy them and take care of them, but it’s

also a great way to have items moved out of

the home. In the same vein, if family mem-

bers have stored possessions in the attic or

basement, set a date by which the owners

must remove them.

The following additional tips can help make

the moving experience easier: Sort items into

five categories: to be kept, to be given to

family or friends, to be sold, to be donated, or

to be thrown away. Use a floor plan to map

out the space the senior will be moving into

so that you can measure and keep furniture

that fits best. Finish removing all the items af-

ter the person has relocated so they don’t feel

lost and alone in an empty house.

After all the work of sorting, packing and

moving is done, it’s time to celebrate. Try to

make the new location as homelike as possi-

ble by filling it with familiar things. Planning a

meal together or hosting a small house warm-

ing party can be the start of more happy

memories in the new setting.

North Shore Community Resources will be

offering the workshop “Making Transitions in

Life” on November 5, 9:30 to 12:00 at Silver

Harbour. Contact Helen at 604-982-3313 or

helen.wait@nscr.bc.ca for more information.

Have you visited our website? The North Shore Community Re-

sources Caregivers Across the Lifetime Project is looking for

your feedback so that they can provide relevant and needed

information and resources. If you are a caregiver, we invite you

to complete our survey on our website content. Your responses

are valuable to us.

You can find the survey by clicking on the “Caregiver Survey”

link posted on our website,

www.nscr.bc.ca/information/caregiver.html

Transitions in Later Life continued from page 1

Survey Says….

Modern architecture, light-filled rooms, cozy

fireplace, beautifully landscaped grounds: it

sounds like someone’s dream home. It also

describes the North Shore Hospice which

celebrates its first anniversary in November.

The 15-bed hospice, at 319 East 14th

Street in

North Vancouver, opened its doors in

November 2010. In its first year, the hospice

provided care and support to 157 patients

and their families.

The goal of palliative care is not to cure, but

to provide quality of life. People receiving

palliative care at the hospice are spared

invasive and aggressive treatments. Instead,

every effort is made to ensure that they are

kept pain-free and able to engage with friends

and family as much as possible. The focus is

on fulfilling physical, social and spiritual

needs.

A full range of professionals work together to

provide care at the hospice. In addition to the

medical and nursing staff, the team includes a

pharmacist, a social worker, a chaplain, a

music therapist and a dedicated group of

volunteers.

Chef David is an important member of the

hospice team. He focuses on preparing

healthy nutritious meals which have, in some

instances, helped patients gain enough

strength to allow them to return to their own

homes. Family and friends can have meals at

the hospice at a very modest price, lunch is $7

and supper is $9.

Family members are encouraged to feel at

home at the hospice and are free to come and

go at anytime of the day. Family members

who stay overnight, can sleep in the fold-out

double bed available in each room. Visitors

who do stay overnight have access to a small

kitchenette, where they can store food and

snacks. A shower room is also available for

those visiting for extended periods.

The hospice also provides programs and

services to those living in the North Shore

community. It offers a 12-week Palliative Care

Day Program for people with a life-

threatening illness who are living at home.

The program runs four days a week from

10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and is staffed with a

North Shore Hospice Celebrates Year One

by Josie Padro

Page 3 November/December 2011

continued on page 4

Photo: Denise Wait

The Family Caregivers’ Grapevine Page 4

A little humour goes a long way. Our thanks to

Contact Printing and Mailing Ltd on Forbes Road and 2nd Street for

their sign that gives us a chuckle every time we pass by:

North Shore Hospice Celebrates Year One

by Josie Padro (continued from page 3)

registered nurse and a care aide. Those at-

tending the day program are encouraged to

identify their needs and goals – whether it’s

symptom control, diet, counselling or the

need for a pampering massage. They gain

support from others in the program who are

dealing with similar issues.

Every Wednesday the hospice runs a their

Caregiver Support Group. Caregivers in this

group are free to use any of the hospice facili-

ties they need. Home support can be ar-

ranged so that the caregiver can feel free to

attend the group. Transportation can be ar-

ranged, if needed.

Program Manager Jane Webley notes that

caregivers seem, almost visibly, to have a

weight lifted from their shoulders when their

friend or family member is admitted to the

hospice. While they may continue some care-

giving tasks, they are encouraged to focus on

the relationship they had before they became

a caregiver – that of wife, son or friend, for

example.

The hospice is only one option for end-of-life

care on the North Shore. Lions Gate Hospital

operates an 8-bed palliative care unit for

shorter stay admissions. Those who wish to

stay at home can receive palliative care ser-

vices there. Home care nurse visits can be ar-

ranged as can home support workers.

To access palliative or hospice care, patients

must be referred to the North Shore Palliative

Program by their family doctor or home care

nurse. For more information contact the Van-

couver Coastal Health’s North Shore Palliative

Care Program at 604-988-3131 ext. 3743.

Laugh Lines

“If attacked by a

mob of clowns go for

the juggler”

Page 5

The holiday season can be a wonderful time

to meet with friends and family. For those car-

ing for a friend or family member, the season

may come with special challenges. In addition

to the tasks of caregiving, the extra energy

needed to take part in social celebrations can

be taxing.

Take stock of how much energy you have and

how much you can expend. The key is to be

aware of what your body is telling you. It may

mean that you have to attend fewer func-

tions. It may mean that you can’t bring that

special dish, which you’re famous for, to the

pot luck. It may be a time to draw on re-

sources you don’t normally use. For example

visitors may be able to take your family mem-

ber on a special outing. Also, remember to

arrange respite care early. It’s a busy time for

everyone. Whether you’re asking a neighbour

or a health care professional, putting in a

timely request can ensure you get a reserved

spot in their datebook.

The holiday season can be a good opportunity

to communicate with family members and to

gain support from them. Friends and relatives

may not realize the impact that caregiving is

having on your life.

Give yourself permission to discuss your feel-

ings about being a caregiver. Many of us are

hesitant to share our feelings for fear of

causing worry or conflict. You may find that

simply expressing your frustrations or difficul-

ties may make your load lighter.

The holidays are traditionally a time that cen-

ter around family celebrations and traditions.

Being unable to celebrate in the same way

you always did can be a loss in itself. But it’s

an opportunity to relive those past celebra-

tions and traditions with conversations and

photographs. It may be a good opportunity

gather the family for a home-movie night.

While you may not be able to recreate past

traditions, it’s a good time to create new ones

or to pass on the responsibility to younger

family members .

Don’t forget to consider your own needs and

to make up your own holiday wish list: lunch

with your child or grandchild, a gift certificate

for a massage, a bestselling mystery novel—

whatever will bring you enjoyment and re-

newal.

The December holidays may be one of life’s

ways to brighten winter, to create opportuni-

ties to gather with friends and family and to

enjoy good food. What’s important is to give

yourself permission to simplify the season, to

be aware of your limits and to care, not only

for others, but also for yourself.

Caregiving Over the Holidays

by Josie Padro

November/December 2011

Resource Review: The Complete Eldercare Planner

by Josie Padro

The Family Caregivers’ Grapevine Page 6

Complete is the operative word in Joy Loverdale’s updated edition of

The Complete Eldercare Planner (Three Rivers Press, 2009). Though

written with the American health system in mind, the book imparts a

huge amount of practical information for anyone caring for a friend or

family member. Loverdale includes chapters on evaluating whether you’re the best per-

son to take on the care giving role, communication, housing, transpor-

tation, and more. The book provides numerous worksheets that can help caregivers con-

sider questions they may not have thought about. Loverdale’s style is warm, and makes read-

ers feel as though she is speaking to them as a reassuring friend.

Living Juicy—Daily Morsels for your Creative Soul

by Josie Padro

Both resources are practical guides to help make day-to-day realities easier and more enrich-

ing for both caregivers and receivers. Visit the Caregiver Resource Library at North Shore

Community Resources, Suite 201, Capilano Mall, for these and other great books, DVDs, and

CDs for family caregivers. For more information, contact Karyn at 604-982-3320.

Living Juicy: Daily Morsels for Your Creative Soul, by SARK is a whimsi-

cal, little book packed with uplifting and inspiring directives. It seeks

to help readers create “sweet, wild moments that elevate us and

those around us.”

Each page describes activities that foster creative thinking and joy.

The 365 activities can be done daily, weekly or when it’s convenient. Whichever way you use

choose, the book communicates the joy of drawing on and exploring your inner resources.

Some of the suggestions may take you out of your comfort zone, such as the following:

“Practice asking for help. Call a friend and ask to: 1. Borrow

or be given money. 2. Cry unreservedly 3. Complain end-

lessly 4. Hear how much they love you

5. Be taken out for dinner.”

Legally Speaking: You Can’t Take it (All) With You

by Jackie Morris

When moving from a larger home to a smaller

one or into a retirement or assisted living resi-

dence, you can’t take all your possessions

with you.

Some items can be given to friends and fam-

ily, some to charity, and others may be bound

for the land fill. What about items you wish to

keep with you or can’t bring yourself to give

away right now? If you have a specific person

or a charity in mind to receive the item, here

are some options:

List these items as gifts in your will. This step

is especially important, if you want to give a

valuable item to a charity, as your estate will

want the tax receipt. However, wills can be-

come overly long and cumbersome with a

long list of gifts . Also you cannot amend the

list without changing your will.

Have your will include a clause that refers to

a memorandum. A memorandum is a list of

possessions outside the will, but is signed by

you and dated. It doesn’t even need a wit-

ness. You can add to or delete items as you

wish or prepare a new list without affecting

the contents of your will.

Place the memorandum in your safety deposit

box with your will. While not legally binding

on your executor (as a gift in the will would

be), most executors will honour such be-

quests and, in addition, are relieved to know

what to do with your things. If a memoran-

dum is found, it must be disclosed to benefici-

aries and filed in court with the will.

If you don’t want to revise your will just to in-

clude a new clause referring to a memoran-

dum, prepare, sign and date a list anyway and

put it with your will.

Tag or put masking tape on the item with the

name of the person to receive it. This method

is fairly common, but runs the risk that people

will change the tags or tape, if more than one

person wants the item. It also encourages

inquisitive family or friends to look for the tag

or tape.

If an item is a family heirloom or has special

significance to you, write this down so the

person who receives it knows its history and

what it means to you.

Note: Silver Harbour Seniors’ Activity Centre,

144 East 22nd Street, operates a Legal Advice

and Referral Clinic. To book a free, confiden-

tial half-hour appointment with a practicing

lawyer call the centre at 604-980-2474.

Editor’s note: The purpose of this column is not to

advise people on their legal affairs or concerns, but to

provide basic information for discussion with their

own legal counsel.

November/December 2011 2011 Page 7

More Legal Resources

Lawyer Referral: 604-687-3221, 30-minute

consultation for $25

Dial-A-Law: 604-687-4680, free, pre-recorded

legal information.

Law Students Legal Advice Clinics: 604-822-

5791

North Shore Community Resources Legal Infor-

mation: 604-985-7138

The Family Caregivers’ Grapevine Page 8

Tips on Giving Medication

by Shamim Confortin BSc. (Pharm), RPh

Eating well: what’s in season

by Josie Padro

Along with the stuffing and gravy, cranberries have a well-established place in the traditional

turkey dinner. They’re available fresh at this time of the year and can be used in a number of

different ways. Check out the opposite page for some easy recipes that add an extra cran-

berry zing to everyday dishes.

Choose fresh cranberries that are shiny and plump. They can be kept refrigerated, in a plastic

bag, for up to two months. They can also be kept frozen for up to a year. Add your frozen

cranberries directly into whatever you’re cooking as they tend to get mushy when they’re

defrosted.

Fun Fact: Cranberry juice is often recommended for those who are to prone bladder infec-

tions since cranberries contain a chemical that prevents bacteria from sticking to the surface

of the bladder.

As a caregiver, the task of administering medi-

cations can be challenging. However, with a

bit of knowledge and information, it can be-

come manageable.

First, always know what the medications are

for, and how often they are to be given. Find

out from the pharmacist if there are any spe-

cific restrictions on taking each prescription.

Check to make sure that the person is not tak-

ing anything that is contraindicated by their

condition or that may interact with their

medication.

Pharmacists can now perform Medication

Management Reviews that provide all this in-

formation concisely. If the medication regi-

men is complicated, see your pharmacist to

discuss blister packing the various prescrip-

tions, so that drugs that must be taken at the

same time are grouped together.

Another key point is to have the medications

organized and labeled. Any old or unused

medication should be returned to the phar-

macy for proper disposal.

Setting a regular schedule will also help de-

velop a routine. Those with dementia are

much more likely to respond in a positive

manner when they are ready and expecting

their medication. When someone refuses

their medicine come back in five minutes and

try again. Try to be flexible and imaginative, as

what works one day may not the next.

If swallowing becomes a problem, check with

your pharmacist; many medications are avail-

able in liquid form and some also come in a

patch form. Another option is to crush the

tablets and mix them with some applesauce

or pudding. Always check with your pharma-

cist first because some medications are less

effective if they are not swallowed whole.

Dried cranberries are also convenient to have on hand. They can be stored in your cupboard

and, like any dried fruit , will keep for months. Sprinkled on salads, they add a chewy tartness.

They can also be tossed into fruit salads (they go especially well with oranges), added to gra-

nola or folded into cooked rice. (Source: Nutrition Action, December, 2010)

Page 9 November/December 2011 2011

Crazy for Cranberries

By Josie Padro

Zesty Cranberry Topping

1 cup fresh cranberries

2 Tbsp orange juice

1 Tbsp Maple syrup

Simmer cranberries, orange juice and

maple syrup in a small saucepan for

10 to 15 minutes. Serve over pan-

cakes or oatmeal.

Cranberry Chutney

1 cup fresh cranberries

1/2 cup chopped mango

1/2 cup canned peaches

1/2 red onion, chopped

1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger

Simmer the above ingredients in a

saucepan for 20 to 25 minutes. Serve

with roast chicken or fish. (Frozen

mango chunks can usually be found in

the supermarket freezer section.)

Cranberry Compote

1 cup apple juice

1 cup fresh cranberries

1 cup dried fruit (a mix of raisins,

dates and figs, for example)

1 large apple, chopped

1 cinnamon stick

Honey to taste

Simmer the above ingredients in a

saucepan for 20 to 25 minutes. This

makes a tasty topping for yogourt.

The Family Caregivers’

Grapevine is a bi-monthly

publication intended to

support family caregivers by

promoting the importance of

self-care while providing

practical information and

resources.

If you have any questions or

feedback about the

newsletter, please contact

the editor at:

josie.padro@nscr.bc.ca

The Supporting Caregivers

Across the Lifespan Project

is located at:

North Shore Community Resources

201-935 Marine Drive

(Capilano Mall)

North Vancouver, BC

V7P 1S3

Tel: 604-985-7138

Fax: 604-985-0645

This project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Social

Development Partnerships Program. The opinions and

interpretations in this publication are those of the

authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government

of Canada.

The Supporting Caregivers Across the Lifespan Project

The Project provides:

● Education sessions for family caregivers

● Social recreation programs

● Expressive arts programming

● Tele-learning education sessions for family caregivers

(educational workshops over the phone)

● Education for professionals working with family caregivers

● Education for employers

Additional activities provided by the Caregiver Support Program:

● Family Caregiver Network groups

● Stress management and relaxation workshops

● Telephone support and individual consultation

● Educational workshops

● Information and referral to community services

● Library with books, videos, and other educational

resources

The Supporting Caregivers Across the Lifespan Project works in

partnership with the North Shore Caregiver Support Program.

Together we provide a wide variety of educational workshops,

caregiver support and resources for family and friends

supporting someone with an illness or disability.

You’re not alone.

We’re here to help.

Are you a family caregiver?

You are if you provide a family member or friend who is

chronically ill, elderly, palliative or living with a disability with

any of the following types of assistance:

● Personal Care: dressing, bathing, eating

● Household Work: house cleaning, shopping/errands,

preparing meals, yard work

● Coordination of Care: transportation, appointments,

arranging services, visiting

● Support: phone check-in, supervision, emotional

support

● Nursing Care: medication, changing dressings

For more information, contact Helen at 604-988-3313 or helen.wait@nscr.bc.ca.