Family caregivers play a critical role in our society. When someone suffers from long-term illness, a debilitating injury, struggles with addiction, has age-related issues, or is perhaps born with challenging issues, more often than not it's an unpaid volunteer family member or friend who cares for 80-90% of their needs. In Alberta alone there are an estimated half million volunteer family caregivers. If these services were paid for, it would cost Canada's health care system as a whole an estimated $9 billion dollars a year (Source: Alberta Caregivers Association). This role can be very complex. These are the people who:
Caregivers often become the patients, and in many cases, they pass away before the loved one for whom they've been caring so diligently. We tend to burn the candle at both ends, getting very little sleep and after awhile we come to believe we only need about 3-4 hours. Not so! We feel guilty taking time for ourselves. We throw ourselves into the role and neglect our own needs. "Family Caregiver Syndrome" is actually starting to be recognized by the medical system in the US. It is a very high-risk lifestyle, and many are in bad mental, emotional and physical states due to the ongoing stress. With 60-90% of any illness linked to unmanaged stress in the body, there is lower immunity in caregivers and double the risk of depression. Stress can take ten years off your life. The good news is, there is help! Walking is the perfect way to deal with all of the stress and anxiety involved in caring for a loved one. The supportive environment of a Walk "Live" Class can't help but lift your spirits, and the social interaction will benefit you mentally. It's a chance to 'walk away' from all of the responsibility - consider it a mini-vacation for an hour a couple of times a week! In addition, these classes will:
I would love to chat with you about how our programs can help you be the best caregiver you can be. Let's get a class started in your area or organization! Call or e-mail Nancy: 403-354-4905 witness4fitness@hotmail.com |