Welcome to the SPA-LTC Care Partner Community! A space to learn, share and feel connected with each other. Join us as you move through your care partner journey.
What is a Care Partner?
A Care Partner is someone who chooses to be present with another, in any setting, through their care journey.
Who Can be a Care Partner?
A Care Partner is a person(s) in the care receiver’s life who can be of any age and gender. They can be a:
- family member
- partner
- friend
- or others identified by the care receiver
What Does a Care Partner Do?
A Care Partner helps to provide social, physical, emotional, and spiritual support to care receivers of any age, gender, gender identity, nature of disability or illness. This can include spending quality time with the person (e.g. sharing stories, singing, music), doing errands, providing support in decision making, care coordination and ensuring continuity of care. Care Partners can be present in diverse settings including but not limited to in the home, hospital, and in long term-home where care is delivered.
“We started our ‘dance’ with dementia just before COVID-19. Finding people who could relate to what my dad and I were going through was so reassuring for me! It doesn’t change what is happening but I have the resources to help me through.
Marlene
“Taking Mom to the nursing home was like dropping my child at daycare for the first time and walking away – how would I find out about her care and if she was okay? Whom should I call? When we were told Mom would be on palliative care we thought we only had weeks or days left together. There was a lot to absorb and little time and energy to searchfor information. Throughout Mom’s 7 year stay we were able to develop a partnership for her care and importantly, good communication”
Pam
Why a Care Partner Community?
This community was created with the help of Care Partners, such as yourself, who care and have cared for loved ones and people in their life through a palliative approach. Through their experiences, we have identified resources, podcasts and videos that we hope will be helpful to you.
Things I Wish I Had Known Earlier
Being a Care Partner is rewarding but you can also feel many other things like stress, confusion, anger, loneliness and more. This is often caused by not having access to enough information and/or people in your life who you can go to for emotional support, assistance, who you can learn from and receive guidance and support. To help you through the palliative process, the SPA-LTC Care Partners have come up with a list of Things I Wish I Had Known Earlier – key resources to support you and the person you are caring for through the palliative care process.
The list below is not complete, but we hope it provides you with some guidance, advice, and comfort.
SPA-LTC Resources
Here are some resources developed by SPA-LTC that our Care Partners have found useful.
Comfort Care at the End-of-Life
This guide is intended for caregivers of a person whose health has been severely affected by Alzheimer’s disease or by another type of degenerative disease of the brain.
Family Care Question Prompts
After reviewing the Comfort Care Booklet, you may have
questions to discuss at your upcoming Family Care Conference.
Myths about a Palliative Approach
Many Canadians misunderstand how the palliative approach works. These are 5 common myths about the palliative approach, debunked.
Podcasts
Have a listen and explore topics related to the Care Partner journey.
Green Care Farms
with Rebekah Churchyard
Green Care Farms CEO and Founder Rebekah Churchyard provides outdoor day programs for people with dementia, connecting them with nature.
End of Life Doulas in long-term care
with Olga Nikolajev
What role do End of Life Doulas play in long-term care, and how can they help those affected during the dying experience?
Family Caregiver experience
with Sandra Chow
Sandra talks about her experiences caring for her mother in long-term care, and the importance of a palliative approach to care.
A Cup of Care
with Katie Ottley and Sibtain Ali
Join co-hosts Katie Ottley and Sibtain Ali for a series of conversations with Canadian family caregivers, while they learn that no two families are alike.
We Welcome Your Feedback and Experiences!
This tab was created by Care Partners for Care Partners. We also want to hear from you! Submit your comments and tell us:
About yourself
How this page can be of use to you
What would you like to know more about?
What can we shine a light on to help you through your journey?
Submit your feedback, questions or comments using our contact form.
Get Involved
Are you a Care Partner? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of people living in long-term care or who have a life limiting illness?
The SPA-LTC Care Partner Working Group is seeking new members! To learn more or to express your interest in joining the group use our contact form for researchers.
