In this episode Emily Hubley and Marco Redden are joined by Anne Gillies and Sandra Bauld to discuss the role of family/friend caregivers and volunteers in long-term care. Anne and Sandra talk about their personal experiences as a caregiver and volunteer, some of the key issues family members may face, and how long-term care homes may enable their presence.
(Note: this podcast was recorded in October, prior to the second wave of COVID and some of the restrictions placed on family caregivers in long-term care may have changed)
Joined by Special Guests:
Anne Gillies, M.A. Family Studies and Gerontology, Mount Saint Vincent University
Sandra Bauld, SALTY Advisory Group and LTC Volunteer, Nova Scotia
Hosted By:
Emily Hubley, M.A. Student, Mount Saint Vincent University
Marco Redden, M.A. Student, Mount Saint Vincent University
Learn More About the SALTY Project:
Website: saltyltc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @SALTY_ltc
We wish to extend our gratitude to the special guests that join us on each episode to share their personal experiences and insights into the complexities of long-term care. We also acknowledge and thank the SALTY project for supporting this podcast.
References:
When we say family we are broadly referring to "anyone who is supporting, caring, or advocating for a long-term care resident" (Alberta Covenant Health Network, 2017). "Family includes women and men who are spouses, adult children, relatives who frequently visit LTC facilities, those who care from a distance and unpaid carers who fall outside the traditional definitions of family (e.g., LGBTQ partners, close friends)" (Barken, Daly & Armstrong, 2016, p. 341).
Family Council - "A family council is an organized, self-led, self-determining, democratic group composed of family and friends of the residents of long-term care homes" (Family Councils Ontario, 2016, p.11)