Introduction to Caregiving Strategies
Caregiving Strategies is a collection of educational resources that have been developed and/or curated for family and friend caregivers who provide care and support for seniors experiencing frailty.
Caregiving Strategies resources include:
- The Caregiving Strategies website
- The Caregiving Strategies Handbook
- The Caregiving Strategies online course
Why Frailty?
Research demonstrates that frailty may be prevented, postponed, or reversed when family and friend caregivers apply strategies in the home.
By applying the strategies outlined in the resources you can support resilience, encourage independence, and enhance quality of life of the person you care for. These strategies may also help you manage your health and wellness.
Navigating the Caregiving Strategies Website
This website is organized into eight topics that provide:
- Background on a clinical topic.
- Strategies you can use in your caregiving.
- Tips for how to communicate with professionals.
- Resources for further support.
This website is both a guide to the Caregiving Strategies Handbook and a complement to the online course.
What Topics are Covered?
On each page of this website, you can review information about specific topics and download tools that you can use to support your caregiving journey.
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Caring for the Caregiver
Review strategies and resources to support caregiver self-care.
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Pain
Identify when someone is in pain, the severity and type of pain they are experiencing, and strategies to manage pain.
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Staying Active: Mobility and Fall Prevention
Explore the importance of mobility and strategies to encourage it, and information about preventing falls.
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Nutrition
Explore the difference between good and poor nutrition, signs and risks of poor nutrition and strategies to support good nutrition.
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Bladder Health
Explore the different types and causes of incontinence and strategies for talking about it with the person you are caring for.
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Medication Management
Information about medication management, key terms like polypharmacy, and strategies for the safe and responsible administration of medication.
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Changes in Thinking and Behaviour (Delirium)
Explore the differences between delirium and dementia, and how to identify, manage and prevent delirium.
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Social Engagement
Explore the topics of loneliness, depression, and social isolation and consider strategies to encourage a person to take part in activities.
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How Should I Use These Resources?
The strategies offered are for you to think about and to apply in whatever way suits you best. Keep in mind that an important part of introducing new strategies to another person is to speak with them about it.
The information on this website is not medical advice. For medical advice, please consult with a health care professional.
How Can I Spread the Word About these Resources with Others?
Telling people about Caregiving Strategies is quick and easy.
To learn more about how you can share these free educational resources with your networks, please visit: https://geriatricsontario.ca/spread-the-word
Who Created These Resources?
Many people who are caring for and supporting a senior living with frailty helped create these resources, including experienced family and friend caregivers, experts in geriatrics, and health care professionals.
Take a moment to watch Conversations with Caregivers, which shows what some caregivers told us as we started out on this project. To learn more about the Senior Friendly Caregiver Education Project, please visit: https://geriatricsontario.ca/initiatives/cetp/ .
(c) 2021 Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario.
Permission granted to use without editing and with appropriate citation.