DO YOU KNOW A CAREGIVER?
Let’s face it, their role carries the risk of abuse!
The subjects:
Be aware that being a caregiver involves the risk of being mistreated!
Some examples of mistreatment:
By those in their close circle (family, friends)
- Imposing (making obligatory) the role of caregiver on someone
- Opting out of providing care to the person requiring care
- Tolerating or ignoring behaviour that involves mistreatment by the person requiring care
Institutions (healthcare system and public, private and community organizations):
- Commenting on the caregiver’s emotions or the way they do things
- Belittling their abilities when caring for the person requiring care
- Not forwarding the necessary information to accomplish their role
- Leaving the caregiver to cope with the healthcare system on their own, etc.
By the person being cared for:
- Hitting, brusqueness
- Using abusive, intimidating language
- Refusing care or services that would make the caregiver’s task easier, etc.
By the caregivers themselves (self-abuse):
- Burning out in performing the role
- Being too hard on themselves
- Feeling guilty, incompetent or feeling they are not doing enough
- Putting their own needs aside to prioritize those of the person requiring care, etc
What can I do?
- Acknowledge, identify the caregivers in your close circle
- Value caregivers and what they do
- Be kind to them, be patient with them and show them compassion
- Acknowledge their needs and their limits
- Encourage them to accept help for themselves and for the person they are caring for
- Make inquiries on the caregiver’s behalf by contacting an organization in their region
What does good treatment of caregivers entail?
Good treatment of caregivers is a comprehensive support process. Its aim is to promote their support, listen to their needs, and value their contribution, their experiences and their expertise in daily life in order to prevent mistreatment.
Informational videos
Videos in French version. You can enable English subtitles in Youtube preferences.
For a better understanding
Some common definitions:
Caregiver
Caregiver means any person who provides support to one or more members of their entourage who have a temporary or permanent
disability of a physical, psychological, psychosocial or other nature, regardless of their age or living environment, and with whom the
person shares an emotional bond as a family member or otherwise.
The support provided is continuous or occasional, short or long term, and is offered on a non-professional basis, in a free, informed and revocable manner, with the particular aim of promoting the recovery of the person assisted and the maintenance and improvement of their quality of life at home or in other living environments. The support may take various forms, such as transportation, assistance with personal care and housekeeping, emotional support, or the organization of care and services. The support provided may also have financial repercussions for the caregiver or limit their ability to take care of their own physical and mental health or to assume
their other social and family responsibilities.
(Government of Quebec, 2020).
Mistreatment
A caregiver may be mistreated in an institution, by someone in their inner circle or by the person they care for.
It may manifest itself by voicing opinions on a caregiver’s decisions and ways of doing things, by contesting their expertise, by imposing a role on them, by the absence of support or other help, etc.
(Éthier S. et al. 2019)
Caregivers need support too.
RESOURCES
1 888 489-2287
Caregiver Support Line
1 855 852-7784
L’APPUI Web Site
www.lappui.org
Info-social Line
811
To find your local organization: Regroupement des aidants naturels du Québec (RANQ).
