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Elder care

Senior Care: Providing for Loved Ones

Senior Care: Providing for Loved Ones

By Colin Hearne on April 8, 2015

More than six million Canadians—35% of the Canadian workforce—provides informal care to a family member or friend. The recipients of care are primarily seniors, and most caregivers are 45 or older. 44% of caregivers are ages 45 to 64, ‘sandwiched’ between caregiving and child rearing.

Canada’s aging population means that these pressures and their consequences will only increase. According to the Employment and Social Development Canada Report from the Employer Panel for Caregivers, by 2031 the number of people over the age of 80 requiring care is projected to double. At the same time, older workers will account for an increasing share of the Canadian workforce.

At UBC, we recognize that many demands exist outside of the workplace for staff and faculty, particularly when it comes to looking after our elders. The following resources are available to assist you and your family in navigating elder care and caregiver support.

Senior Care and Caregiving Support Resources

Senior Care Support

Shepell, UBC’s Employee and Family Assistance Program provider, has a service to help you conduct your own customized search for elder care resources. You can search for providers who offer homecare assessments, long-term facilities, assistive care facilities, and facilities geared toward specific health care needs or cultural and language preferences of your family member. For a full list or to access services, click here and search under the Health & Wellbeing tab.

Senior Care Specialist

Faculty and staff can speak to an Elder Care Specialist through Shepells Life Events service. The Eldercare Specialist can point you in the right direction for housing, qualified care and any other questions you may have. Click here for more information.

Senior Care Support Resources

For a range of informative senior care articles, click here. Topics range from: Slowing Down to Help Aging Parents, Nutrition and healthy well-being for elders in your life, Having an older relative move in: making the transition a smooth one; and many more.

Caregiving Support – Counselling

Balancing elder care and/or family care with career responsibilities can feel overwhelming and extremely stressful. Be sure to take care of your own physical, emotional and social needs. Confidential counselling services are available through Shepell. To make an appointment, call 1-800-387-4765.

Other Support

UBC’s Health, Wellbeing and Benefits Team has also compiled a list of available suggested resources (including leave information) to assist you and your family in navigating elder care and caregiver support.

You’re Invited

Eldercare 101 – What You Need to Know to Care for Your Aging Parents

Whether you care for aging parents in your own home, or manage elder care plans from a distance, most of us don’t know where to go for reliable answers.  Join Home-to Home, a seniors advisory and assistance business based in Vancouver in this one-hour session and learn all you need to know to care for your aging parents: . Click here for more information or to register.

For more information on UBC’s new Employee and Family Assistance Program provider click here or contact colin.hearne@ubc.ca (phone 604-827-3047).

Posted in Colin Hearne, EFAP, Healthy Path, Mental Health, Physical Health, Spot Light | Tagged caregiving, EFAP, Elder care, Healthy Path, resources, seniors, Support | Leave a response

Healthy UBC Initiatives: April 2015

Healthy UBC Initiatives: April 2015

By Colin Hearne on April 8, 2015

UBC’s Health Wellbeing and Benefits team has a great line up of FREE activities and events coming up in April and May.  Sign up today for topics including Zumba, Elder Care 101, Ergo your Office training, Balance and Bright Cleanse and more! 

 

ZumbaZumba @ Student Recreation Centre (SRC) Studio– Apr. 15 2015 @11-12pm

Healthy UBC is hosting free Zumba for faculty and staff at the SRC gym on April 15, 2015, starting at 11:00 a.m. Zumba fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind dance/fitness program. Achieve long-term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in an exciting hour of calorie-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate. For more information, or to register, click here.  

 Ergo Rep TrainingOffice Ergo Rep Training: Apr.21 2015 @ 1-4pm

UBC Ergonomics strives to have an Office Ergonomics Representative for each department.  We provide the training (one three-hour session) and material required for reps to promote, educate and ensure musculoskeletal health for employees in their departments. Office Ergo Reps are trained by UBC Ergonomics Advisor Abigail Overduin in simple computer workstation set-up, how to notice signs and symptoms of injuries from poor ergonomic set-up, and to control strategies to reduce or prevent symptoms.  For more information, or to register click here.

Ergo your officeErgo Your Office: Getting Smart with Your Workspace – Apr. 29 2015 @12-1pm

Join UBC Ergonomics Advisor Abigail Overduin in this one-hour tutorial combining a presentation and a practical session giving you the skills to optimize your office environment to improve comfort and reduce the risk of injury. For more information, or to register, click here.

EldercareElder Care 101 – What You Need to Know to Care for Your Aging Parents – Apr. 28, 2015 @ 12-1pm

Whether caring for aging parents in the home, or managing elder care plans from a distance, most of us don’t know where to go for reliable answers. Join Home-to Home, seniors advisory and assistance business based in Vancouver, in this one-hour session to learn how to develop an elder care roadmap to plan for your parents’ housing and care needs as they age, and much more. For more information or to register, click here.

Bright and Balanced CleanseBalanced & Bright Cleanse: A 3 Week Naturopathic Plan for Healthy Living – May 14, 21 & 28 2015 @ 12-1pm (There is a cost associated with this workshop series)

Join Naturopathic Doctor, Yoga Teacher, UBC alumnus; and Healthy UBC Newsletter contributor Dr Thara Vayali and kickstart your cleanse in this 3 part series this May. In this series mindfulness, eating and movement goals, supported with health education, discussion and community will support you to become empowered, inspired & informed. Cost: $10 (Payable by Cash, JV to KPGK or by cheque to UBC Human Resources). Spaces are limited. Click here for more information.

Posted in Colin Hearne, Events, Healthy UBC Initiatives, Mental Health, Nutrition, Physical Health, Spot Light | Tagged activities, cleanse, Dr. Thara Vayali, Elder care, Ergonomics, events, free, office ergo, zumba | Leave a response

Healthy UBC Initiatives: October 2014

Healthy UBC Initiatives: October 2014

By Colin Hearne on October 1, 2014

This month, UBC’s Health, Wellbeing and Benefits team has a great line up of sessions focused on a wide variety of topics that include diet and stress, Healthy Workplace Funding, elder care, workstation ergonomics, QPR suicide gatekeeper  training and more. Join us and take a few moments to build new skills, boost your health and to reflect on how you face the day. (Courses are at the Point Grey campus unless otherwise indicated)

HWIPApplying for Healthy Workplace Initiatives Program (HWIP)- Oct. 7, 2014 @ 12:15-1:15pm

Have a great healthy workplace idea, but need some seed money to get it off the ground?  Already running healthy workplace programming but want to take it to the next level?  The Healthy Workplace Initiatives Program (HWIP) is a fund available to UBC departments, units and operational committees to support healthy activities for faculty and staff in the workplace. The program provides start-up funds for kick-starting health related, sustainable initiatives. This interactive, practical workshop will be one hour dedicated to helping you understand HWIP and directing you to the path of possible funding. (The next HWIP application deadline is Nov. 21, 2014 at 4:30pm) For more information, or to register, click here.

Eldercare-squareElder Care 101: What You Need to Know to Care for Your Aging Parents – Oct. 9, 2014 @ 12-1pm

Whether caring for aging parents in the home, or managing elder care plans from a distance, most of us don’t know where to go for reliable answers. Join Home-to Home, a senior advisory and assistance business based in Vancouver, in this one-hour session to learn how to develop an elder care roadmap to plan for your parents’ housing and care needs as they age, and much more. For more information, or to register, click here.

Workstation-Set-Up Ergo Your Office: Getting Smart with Your Work space – Oct. 14, 2014 @ 1:15-2:15pm  (Location:UBC Robson Square)

Join UBC Ergonomics Advisor Abigail Overduin in this one-hour tutorial combining a presentation and a practical session giving you the skills to optimize your office environment to improve comfort and reduce the risk of injury. . For more information, or to register, click here.

Stress - TharaDiet & Stress with Dr. Thara Vayali- Oct. 16, 2014 @ 12-1pm

Part 2 of Healthy UBC’s Fall Stress-Busting series with Dr. Thara Vayali. Stress is a loaded word, and decreasing stress can feel like an insurmountable task. In this session, learn how your diet and dietary habits affect your reaction to stressors, and how stress affects your cravings. Define your own three simple diet shifts that can assist you in stress management. For more information, or to register, click here.

 Reach outQPR Gatekeeper Training – Oct. 21, 2014 @ 2-4pm

QPR,  Question, Persuade, and Refer ,is a simple educational program that teaches ordinary people how to recognize a mental health emergency and how to get a person at risk the help they need. It is also an action plan that can result in lives saved. At this training you will learn: how to get help for yourself or learn more about preventing suicide, the common causes of suicidal behavior, the warning signs of suicide, how to Question, Persuade and Refer someone who may be suicidal, how to get help for someone in crisis, and gain familiarity with referral resources both on and off campus. For more information or to register click here.

Ergo Rep TrainingComputer Workstation Set-up Tutorials – Oct. 30, 2014 @ 12-1pm

UBC Ergonomics offers free computer workstation set-up tutorials on the last Thursday of every month.  These one-hour tutorials combine a presentation with a practical session giving you hands-on experience adjusting typical office equipment. Learn how to optimize your computer work environment to improve comfort and reduce the risk of injury. By the end of the tutorial, you will know how to set up your chair, keyboard/mouse and monitor to promote neutral working postures.  Training is located on the sixth floor of TEF3 (6190 Agronomy Rd).  Register online for these sessions now.

WorkplaceUpcoming Office Ergo Rep Training: Nov 5, 2014 @ 1-4pm

UBC Ergonomics strives to have an Office Ergonomics Representative for each department.  We provide the training (one three-hour session) and material required for reps to promote, educate and ensure musculoskeletal health for employees in their departments. Office Ergo Reps are trained by the Ergonomics Coordinator in simple computer workstation set-up, how to notice signs and symptoms of injuries from poor ergonomic set-up, and to control strategies to reduce or prevent symptoms.  Session will be held on the sixth floor of TEF3 (6190 Agronomy Rd). .  Register online  for this session here.

MHFAMental Health First Aid Training – December 2 & 3, 2014 @ 9am-4.30pm both days

The goal of Mental Health First Aid training is to improve mental health literacy. This workshop, in collaboration with the Canadian Mental Health Association, provides participants with the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague. This training is 12 hours in length, to be completed in two sessions over a two-day period. Only offered once per year so sign up now! For more information and to register, click here.

PowerwalkingPower Walking – Every Monday and Wednesday

Take a time-out from work for your mental and physical health!  Join your campus colleagues for a lunch-hour walk on Mondays and Wednesdays.  Monday’s group meets out front of the UBC Bookstore at 12:10 p.m., while Wednesday’s group  meets at 12:10 p.m. outside the TEF3 building on Agronomy Road – location here.   All abilities welcome. For more information, or to register, click here.

 

Posted in Colin Hearne, Events, Healthy UBC Initiatives, Mental Health, Physical Health | Tagged Diet, Elder care, Ergonomics, healthy workplace initiatives program funding, mental health first aid, powerwalking, Stress, workstation | 1 Response

Elder Care: How your Benefits Can Help

Elder Care: How your Benefits Can Help

By Colin Hearne on September 9, 2014

For many people, balancing life at home and at work can have its ups and downs. Those who have children at home while working may find life particularly hectic: scheduling children’s activities, planning for family time, and still allowing some you-time can seem impossible.

For some, life is further complicated by needing to provide care to aging parents or relatives. At UBC, we recognise that many demands exist outside of the workplace for staff and faculty, particularly when it comes to looking after our elders. UBC’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) has resources to assist you and your family in navigating elder care and caregiver support.

Elder Care Resources at UBC

Homewood Health, UBC’s EFAP provider, has an online database to help you conduct your own customised search for elder care resources – you can search for providers who offer homecare assessments, long-term facilities, assistive care facilities, and facilities geared toward specific health care needs or cultural preferences of your family member. UBC staff and faculty also have access to Homewood Health’s free online Busy Family for Seniors toolkit.  The toolkit provides:

  • A resource and financial services locator;
  • An “ask an expert” function, informative articles and links to research;
  • Roadmaps for services based on need (e.g., in home, residential facilities or community based);
  • Comprehensive quality of service checklists for hired providers; and
  • A family needs inventory to help organize priorities and concerns.

To access all the above services through Homewood Health online database and toolkit, visit www.homewoodhumansolutions.com.  For more information, email colin.hearne@ubc.ca or phone 604-827-3047.

Want to know more?

Come to Healthy UBC’s free workshop “Elder care 101 – What You Need to Know to Care for Your Aging Parents“on Sept. 23, 2014, 12-1pm.(Register online)

New name, same great servicesUBC’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provider Homewood Human Solutions has changed its name to Homewood Health. While their name has changed, their services and contact information remain the same. The website can still be reached at www.homewoodhumansolutions.com

  • The phone number remains 1-800-663-1142 (toll- free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

All Counselling, Plansmart and Online services continue as before.

Posted in Benefits Spotlight, Colin Hearne, EFAP, Mental Health | Tagged Benefits, EFAP, Elder care, homewood Health, resources | Leave a response

Benefits Spotlight: November 2013

Benefits Spotlight: November 2013

By Colin Hearne on October 30, 2013

At UBC, we recognise that many demands exist outside of the workplace for staff and faculty, particularly when it comes to looking after our elders. Did you know that your Employee and Family Assistance Program has resources to assist you and your family in navigating elder care and caregiver support?

UBC’s Employee and Family Assistant Program (EFAP) is a confidential counseling service that can help you and your family members with personal problems that affects your family life, work life, or general wellbeing.  Alongside this counselling service, EFAP can also help you arrange for in-home elder care assessments that are performed on a fee-for-service basis by an independent, outside provider. Homewood Health, UBC’s EFAP provider, has an online database to help you conduct your own customised search for elder care resources – you can search for providers who offer homecare assessments, long-term facilities, assistive care facilities, and facilities geared toward specific health care needs or cultural preferences of your family member. UBC staff and faculty also have access to Homewood Health’s free online Busy Family for Seniors toolkit.  The toolkit provides:

  • A resource and financial services locator;
  • An “ask an expert” function, informative articles and links to research;
  • Roadmaps for services based on need (e.g., in home, residential facilities or community based);
  • Comprehensive quality of service checklists for hired providers; and
  • A family needs inventory to help organize priorities and concerns.

To access all the above services through Homewood Health’s online database and toolkit, visit www.homewoodhumansolutions.com.  For more information, email colin.hearne@ubc.ca or phone 604-827-3047.

 

Posted in Benefits Spotlight, Colin Hearne, EFAP, Mental Health, Physical Health | Tagged EFAP, Elder care, Homewood Human Solutions, Support, toolkit | Leave a response

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Upcoming Events

  • Nov. 5: Office Ergo Rep Training
  • Nov. 14: Boosting Your Positive Outlook
  • Nov. 20: Ergo Your Office: 1hr Tutorial
  • Nov. 20: Sit-Stand Desks & Platforms
  • Nov. 21: Mental Health First Aid Training
  • Nov. 25: The Working Mind: Workplace Mental Health Training for Faculty & Staff
  • Nov. 26: Getting a Restful Sleep
  • Dec. 3: Ergo Your Office: 1hr Tutorial
  • Dec. 3: Sit-Stand Desks & Platforms
  • Dec. 3: Relaxation Techniques to Help You Thrive
  • Dec. 11: Office Ergo Rep Training
  • Dec. 11: Understanding Your Travel Benefits
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