For Caregivers Only
Intended Audience
For members who are are partners, spouses, families and friends who are providing primary care to a loved one with cancer.
Program Description
For Caregiver’s Only is a half day workshop designed to offer support, information and respite for those in a caregiving role. Participants enjoy the opportunity to connect with others who are in a care partner role, while gaining relevant information and learning about a variety of resources they may find helpful.
Benefits and Impact
Recent literature has identified that caregivers of people living with cancer may be faced with numerous challenges and burdens, such as financial difficulty, emotional distress, and social isolation (Molassiotis & Wang, 2022). Wellspring Alberta offers the For Caregivers Only program to support the unique needs of caregivers and facilitate peer interactions on a one-day retreat. Research studying the effects of psychosocial interventions that provide social connectedness and informational support, such as this program, have found improvements in anxiety, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms and quality of life for caregivers when offered both in person (Molassiotis & Wang, 2022; Kedia et al., 2020; Yuen & Wilson, 2022). and virtually (Tang et al., 2014).
What to Expect at a Session
This half-day workshop begins with an opening meditation/relaxation, a check-in time with other group members, a learning module of psychoeducational material, and a period for small group interactions. This part of the program is followed by a nutritious, catered lunch. After lunch, participants are invited to join a stress-reducing practice such as qigong, iRest, or gentle yoga, facilitated by a Wellspring program leader. This provides both relaxation, and an introduction to other Wellspring programs – all of which are free and open to caregivers.
