How do you navigate the transition from child to caregiver of a parent while supporting both their dignity and your own wellness? Caring for an aging or ill parent comes with countless responsibilities, from prepping meals and scheduling medication to attending appointments and much more. While this shift to caregiver is, in some ways, a natural progression, it also requires you to navigate into a new relationship with your parent. As such, you need to learn how to balance respect and consent for their desires with your own health and happiness.

Roma Palmer is a registered clinical counsellor who not only helps parental caregivers but also fills this role herself, first with her mother years ago and now with her father. Today, she shares what she's discovered through her work and firsthand experience juggling family, career, and caregiving.

Learn from Roma's thoughtful and proactive approach that keeps respect and love in focus throughout this shifting relationship:

• The importance of involving your parent and family members in the caregiving decision process
• Tools for fending off isolation and scheduling breaks to take care of yourself How to ensure the division of caregiving labour is distributed openly and fairly Practices that prioritize the care recipient's continued sense of identity at this tumultuous time

Resources:

• "Building Your Personal Resilience" flipbook - https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/caregiver-learning-center/read-resources/building-your-personal-resilience
• Guilt and Making Decisions: Role of Adult Children in Assisting Parents - https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/caregiver-learning-center/read-resources/guilt-and-making-decisions-role-of-adult-children-in-assisting-parents-2
• Connect with Roma Palmer - https://www.romapalmer.com/
• Family Caregivers of BC Caregiver Support Line - 1-877-520-3267 (Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4pm PT)

Connect With Us!

To read a full transcript of each episode, visit the Family Caregivers of BC website https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/podcast

Visit us at our office: #6 – 3318 Oak Street, Victoria, BC V8X 1R1 Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

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Thank you!

BC Ministry of Health - Patients as Partners Initiative - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/patients

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