Caregivers Alberta offers support seminar in Redwater

By Brandie Majeau
Caregivers Alberta is a not-for-profit organization established over twenty years ago by
an intimate group of caregivers, feeling the overwhelming impact of fatigue and isolation
common in many caregivers. Caregivers Alberta is a support system providing a variety of
education and resources, dedicated to supporting the needs of unpaid caregivers. The Town of
Redwater/Redwater FCSS hosted a Caregiver Alberta seminar on February 6, volunteer
coordinator, Carole Alves-Cornell, conveyed the need for community engagement and the
necessity to reach people, especially in the rural areas. The workshop was to provide
information and an expansion on their services, Alves-Cornell stating, “No one seems to know
who we are.”
The seminar was well received with over a dozen participants registering and attending.
As guests were welcomed and settled in with warm cups of coffee, conversations could be
heard discussing the toll it takes on an individual as a caregiver, the hard work and commitment
that is required, especially for those who are solely responsible for their care recipients. The
role of Caregivers Alberta expresses an understanding of this fundamental resource.
Information was provided stating that Alberta has over one million caregivers, in turn providing
647 million hours of unpaid care per year. The Alberta government is recognizing the
importance of these roles including the cost savings to the economy in addition to the reduced
impact on hospitals and care facilities.
Caregivers Alberta is a place for these caregivers to turn, not to make better caregivers
but to ensure their own physical and mental well-being. Carole Alves-Cornell provided an
extensive list of available resources and free programs for caregivers and led the group through
a gentle discussion about the true costs of being a caregiver, including self-awareness of stress
and the impact it has on an individual. She affectionately referred to the caregiver roles as “you
are the keeper” creating a context that many caregivers are responsible for personal care,
scheduling, medications, and a myriad of details that others are not around to address. These
caregivers often have lives that revolve solely around their caregiver role. As many people fall
into these roles naturally, Caregivers Alberta are finding that by the time people reach out for
help, they are already reaching their breaking point, overwhelmed, and burnt out.
The role of this seminar was not only informative for those in attendance. It was a
chance to share personal stories and experiences in these roles. It was an interactive and
personable experience of self-recognition including stress triggers and their management,
including building resilience and self-care. The impact of this workshop is hoped to be shared

throughout the community as participants move forward, sharing their stories as a means to
help others recognize traits and struggles in themselves and to make them aware that there are
resources available to them. With so many people stating, “I wish I knew this five years ago,”
“It’s a lot to deal with.” Or “I wish I had this when I needed it.” Carole Alves-Cornell reacted by
saying these were the most common things they hear. The goal now is to get the word out
there and make sure caregivers know they have somewhere to turn.
For more information, for support, to learn about caregiver programs, or to become a
Senior Caregiver Ambassador please visit caregiversalberta.ca.