TOPIC: GIVING CARE, A SPECIAL FOCUS FROM CBC IN ALBERTA
Alberta Health promises a 'building year' to reform seniors care at home and in facilities
Thursday's budget included only a small increase to home care, but Health Minister Jason Copping says there's much more to come.
First Person
What I learned when I moved in with my grandmother during the pandemic
Colin Smith describes what happened when he moved in with his grandmother during the pandemic. What started as a sacrifice became a gift, he writes.
'A whole day off': Free adult day programs are as much for the caregiver as for the frail
Alberta funds thousands of day spaces for frail adults across the province. But many families struggling to cope have no clue, says this program manager.
Behind the story: Why and how CBC decided to focus on family caregiving
This CBC Alberta project started with an effort to empower family caregivers to tell their own stories, seeking to understand work that's both natural and often invisible.
First Person
I often feel like an invisible caregiver when talking to health-care workers
I love my adult children and elderly mom; I love caring for them, writes Jennifer Oujla. But it’s a job made infinitely more difficult when dismissed by the health-care team.
Too far, too big, too dangerous — families pitch alternative to large care homes ahead of budget
A 10-bed care home just down the street — that's what these families of dementia patients say they want for their loved ones. They'll be watching Thursday's budget for signs of hope.
Quit or get fired — Survey finds 1 in 20 family caregivers overwhelmed by competing demands
Pay the bills or care for her sick child. As a single mom, Tracy Oliver says that choice felt impossible.
First Person
3 broken ribs took down my mother. They almost took me down, too
When her strong, stoic mother falls backward and breaks her ribs, Angeles Espinaco-Virseda finds herself thrust into additional roles of nurse and caregiver. It's left her with questions.
First Person
My husband was diagnosed with dementia at 48, and I felt like fleeing
We watched his mother break under the burden of caring for his father. Then John was diagnosed, writes Cindy McCaffery.
Fetch the black bag! Calgary doctors now make house calls for home-bound seniors
The house calls are a throwback to another era — "slow medicine," as one doctor calls it.
First Person
I'm stronger than I think. How I learned to push back against my husband's misdiagnosis
Endlessly searching the internet for help and answers — that’s been Dianne Bertold’s life as she tries to support her husband through a misdiagnosis of dementia. Here’s her story.
Q&A
'Replicate the heck out of it': MLA Gotfried argues there's an urgent need to innovate in elder care
"Quite frankly, look at the demographic challenge that we're facing," says the United Conservative MLA who oversaw Alberta's continuing care review.
First Person
My husband got sick and the burden of care landed on me. I'm not always selfless
It took years for me to admit that I am not always a selfless, patient caregiver even though I deeply love my husband, writes Sushila Samy.
Facing culture shock at 75-plus: New multicultural coach aims to help families with immigrating grandparents
Thousands of elderly immigrants — 75 and older — move to Canada every year, taking on the challenge of adapting to a new culture in their later years. A new multicultural coaching program in Alberta is trying to help.
Audio
Guilt, love and dedication: Caregivers share stories from across Alberta through CBC's call-in show
On Alberta@Noon Monday, Albertans shared their stories of trying to make aging in place a reality.
First Person
I feel guilty for checking my mother into long-term care against her will
Karen Wilson writes about the heartache of seeing her mom lose independence in the face of aggressive Alzheimer’s.
First Person
My dad now makes risky choices and I need to accept the role reversal
I see vulnerability; my father sees autonomy. Here’s what I’ve learned trying to support this strong-willed, independent member of the silent generation.
Residential school generation forced off reserve again due to funding shortage in long-term care
When today's First Nations elders were young, many were forced to leave their home communities to stay in residential schools. Now that forced exit is happening again, due to a shortage of long-term care beds on some reserves.
Audio
Two women stretched thin share what they've learned caring for loved ones in Alberta
What have you found the most helpful? One caregiver to another, two women share the lessons they've learned while caregiving.
Analysis
Insiders see major shift coming to the way Alberta cares for the frail
Advocates say they're watching closely because there's a risk. When people grow frail or ill outside of a care facility, the burden of care can fall heavy on family.