Join Tri-City Psychology Services in honoring caregivers. We’re committed to providing them with the resources and advocacy they need to support those with mental illness.

Being the sole provider or caregiver to an elderly family member can be very rewarding, but it also can be very stressful. In today’s busy world it is women who often sacrifice their own physical and emotional needs to meet the competing demands of work, family and elder care. Research has shown that 40-70% of family caregivers of older adults have symptoms of depression, and 25-50% of these caregivers meet the criteria of major depression.

It’s important to be alert to the signs of caregiver burnout and to watch out for these signs of caregiver stress:

• Feeling irritable or sad
• Crying more often than usual
• Having low energy levels
• Feeling trapped
• Feeling as if you don’t have any time to yourself
• Experiencing trouble sleeping or not wanting to get out of bed in the morning
• Appetite changes
• Seeing friends or relatives less often
• Losing interest in people and things you enjoy
• Feeling angry with the person you are caring for or at other people or situations

Below are some strategies for taking care of yourself if you are a caregiver:

• Take care of your health. See your doctor regularly. Improve your diet. Get enough sleep.
• Seek emotional support. Join a support group or talk with family, friends or a therapist about how you feel.
• Take time out. Socializing with friends, reading, meditating, listening to music -can help relieve stress and provide distraction and perspective. Cut yourself some slack.
• Set limits and learn to say “no” when you feel overwhelmed. Recognize and learn how to deal with negative feeling such as anger or guilt

Caregiving Can be Stressful- Get the help you need

If you are a caregiver for someone with a disabling condition such as Alzheimer’s.You may be feeling overwhelmed . The Alzheimers Association has put together a Caregiver Stress Test Check. Don’t put your own health at risk , do the test, and then if you need to get the help you need.

World Menopause Day is held every year on the 18th of October. The day was founded by the International Menopause Society (IMS) to raise awareness of menopause and to support options to improve health and well-being for women in midlife and beyond. The theme for World Menopause Day 2024 is Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy  Despite many medical advances and a massive increase in public awareness in recent years, there’s still lots more to be done. Each year World Menopause Day shines the spotlight on the challenges facing women during the menopause transition and highlights improvements in research, education and support.

Video series: Menopause explained

Cancer is the leading cause of death from disease in children and adolescents in Canada. Approximately 10,000 children are living with cancer in this country and 1,500 more are diagnosed every year.

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – a time to reflect on how we can better understand and address the needs of children affected by cancer, as well as their families and caregivers.

While September typically heralds the excitement of back-to-school shopping, reuniting with friends, and gearing up for a new academic year, the reality is starkly different for families grappling with a childhood cancer diagnosis.

In BC alone, 155 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, with over 100 of them forced to swap classrooms for chemotherapy treatments. Though BC Children’s Hospital boasts the highest survival rate for childhood cancers in Canada, the devastating truth remains: 1 in 5 children tragically lose their battle.