We would feel more confident about the care we provide if we had access to training. Fear of making a mistake adds to the stress of caregiving. Just as prenatal classes are available for expectant parents, caregiving classes should be available to caregivers. These classes would provide us with the necessary practical skills, and the confidence that we are doing what is best. We would like these classes to be part of provincial caregiver support policies.
Caregivers play a central role in home care.
We would like more say in the home care plan. Although we hear that we are partners in home care, we are not included in home care planning. Often we know what is best for the person receiving our care, but we are not consulted, and our concerns are not respected. We would also like home care programs to consider and respect our own needs. We are often expected to do more than we are capable of.