The first Tuesday in April is National Caregiver Day, and this year that’s April 7. It’s a day set aside for the people who look after an older adult without getting paid for it, often a spouse, an adult child, or a neighbour who just started showing up. If that’s you, this is a reminder that support exists for you too, not just for the person you’re caring for.
Caregiving is demanding work, and it’s easy to put your own needs last. Family Caregivers of BC is a good place to start: it supports over one million people across the province who provide care, with information, peer support, and programs built specifically for caregivers, not the people they care for.
You don’t have to be in crisis to reach out. Even a short conversation with someone who understands the role can make the week feel more manageable, and you might learn about a support group, a break from caregiving, or a benefit you didn’t know you qualified for.
If you’re caring for someone and feeling stretched thin, that’s worth taking seriously too, your own health matters.