Caregivers Out Loud: Grief as a Healing Gift

Grief as a Healing Gift

Feb 2, 2021

13 million Canadians or nearly half of the total population have provided care at some point in their lives. Yet caregiving may be a new term for many people. And often, unpaid caregivers do not identify with this title, as they feel it is part of their relationship with family or friends.

In today’s episode, we speak with Pat, who acknowledges that she was initially unfamiliar with the term caregiver, but learned more about this important role as she supported her husband, also named Pat, through his journey with Parkinson’s Disease and dementia.

Pat was engaged in a caregiver “learning process”, where she listened to her husband to better understand the effects of Parkinson's Disease in his daily life. Because of the value of their partnership, Pat’s relationship with her husband during his changing health conditions was sustained through humour and care.

You will gain insight into her caregiving journey, awareness of the caregiving role, and the unfolding responsibilities; including end of life care and her current caregiving stages of grief, bereavement, and honouring her husband and life-partner.

Highlights:

Caregiving was a new term for Pat and then she was full-in caregiving mode.
Supporting her husband with humour and care for their relationship was very apparent.
Loss and grief - knowing he is still there with her by showing up in signs or thoughts.
Giving back by supporting others in a caregiver support group.

Resources on Grief and Loss: