November is recognized as Caregivers Awareness Month by many organizations in North America. A caregiver or carepartner is an individual who cares for someone who needs help due to a physical or cognitive condition, an injury or a chronic illness. In Canada, there are over 8 million caregivers/carepartners. 

Did you know?

• 1 in 4 Canadians are caregivers/carepartners
• 50% of caregivers/carepartners are between 45 and 65 years old 
• 54% of caregivers/carepartners are women 
• Caregivers/carepartners contribute $25 billion in unpaid labour to our health care system

Source: Carers Canada

Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) wishes to acknowledge caregivers/carepartners year-round. This is why we strive to offer useful, extensive resources for caregivers/carepartners. Our services consist of:

• Consultation at the PSBC office or by phone
• Free, confidential short-term counselling services for people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones
• Viewpoints, quarterly newsletter with up-to-date information on scientific research, medication, caregiving, nutrition and other relevant topics
• Educational events throughout BC featuring experts in Parkinson’s research and treatment
• PD Link Program
• A network of over 50 support groups province-wide
• Advocacy for improved healthcare and access to medications

PSBC also offers a comprehensive selection of online resources for caregivers/carepartners, such as our Carepartner Connect Webinar. Additional resources include videos from our Time Out for Caregivers session in Burnaby, as well as the following help sheets: 

• Asking for and Accepting Your Own Support [helpsheet]
• Caring for Someone with Parkinson's [helpsheet]
• Caring in the Family [helpsheet]
• Grieving and Loss [helpsheet]
• Information for Teens about PD [helpsheet]
• Talking about Abuse [helpsheet]
• Talking to Children about PD [helpsheet]