A bi-monthly newsletter published by the

Supporting Family Caregivers Across the Lifespan Project

T h e Fa m i l y C a r e g i v e r s ’

G r a p e v i n e

March/April 2012

A labyrinth is a simple circle made up of curv-

ing inner paths that lead toward the centre

then away, then back again. Following the

twists and turns helps many people match the

physical act of walking with the mental and

often spiritual practice of meditation. Laby-

rinth walking is catching on in health care set-

tings, where the quiet mindful activity is being

used to complement conventional medical

treatments.

Labyrinths have been discovered in early cul-

tures as far back as ancient Egypt, and are

found in some of the oldest churches in

Europe. The most well-known of these is in

the Chartes Cathedral in France, which is be-

lieved to go back as far as the 13th

century.

Unlike mazes, which are designed as puzzles,

the path of a labyrinth is meant to lead peo-

ple on the journey. Some view following the

path of the labyrinth as a type of pilgrimage

or a mirror of life’s journey.

In recent years labyrinth walking has become

increasingly popular, the circular patterns ap-

pearing in a variety of places, on church

grounds, in public parks, in hospitals. Today

they are used as a tool for quiet contempla-

tion or mediation for those who have diffi-

culty with conventional meditation or who

cannot afford to attend classes.

Medical research, so far, on labyrinth walking

indicates that it produces health benefits simi-

lar to those of traditional meditation. That in-

cludes stress reduction as well as the physical

benefits of walking, such as lowered blood

pressure and breathing rates, improved circu-

lation and muscle tone.

In 2009, St. John the Evangelist Anglican

Church, 220 West 8th

, built its own labyrinth.

The Meditative Power of Labyrinth Walking

by Josie Padro

The Family Caregivers’ Grapevine Page 2

It was the shared dream of church members

Deborah Foster and Wendy Middleton to have

a labyrinth in their community.

Foster says the labyrinth, which is marked out

in white paint and outlined with blue u-

shaped lunations, is well used by the commu-

nity. She points out that on any day she sees a

variety of church and community members

winding their way along the path—moms

with toddlers, groups of teens, or elders.

The experience of walking the labyrinth is dif-

ferent for everyone. Foster states that people

don’t often share much about their experi-

ences. “They hold in their heart whatever

takes place,” she says. Those who do share re-

port a range of experiences, from mild relaxa-

tion to profound peacefulness and self-

awareness.

Deborah Foster believes spirituality can be in-

terpreted in many ways and that the labyrinth

at St. John the Evangelist is open to all. “It’s a

way of offering contemporary spirituality to

the neighbourhood,” she says. “Labyrinth

walking is universal. You don’t need a relig-

ion.”

In addition to the labyrinth at St. John the

Evangelist, there are a number of public laby-

rinths in the Lower Mainland.

Check out labyrinth locator, http://

labyrinthlocator.com, to find the surprisingly

numerous labyrinths across in our area.

The Meditative Power of Labyrinth Walking

continued from page 1

There is no wrong way to walk a laby-

rinth, but generally, there are three

stages:

Release: stand at the entrance of the

labyrinth and take several slow deep

breaths. Be aware of your feet on the

ground. Deborah Foster suggests think-

ing of the thing that most concerns you

and then actively let it go as you start

into the labyrinth. Follow the path at

your own speed and continue to let go of

thoughts as they re-enter your mind.

Refresh: when you reach the centre, you

may want to pause and reflect on your

walk or continue to the outside of the

labyrinth.

Return: continue to follow the path at

your own pace. Feel free to walk the

labyrinth as many times as you wish.

According to Pacific Blue Cross, in 2009 BC

residents spent between $714 and $782 per

person on medication. That’s a significant

expense for those on fixed incomes.

Open to all BC families, Fair PharmaCare is a

government-funded program that helps cover

some of the cost of mediations. To qualify for

the program you must have been a resident of

BC for least three months, have MSP coverage

and have filed an income tax return in the last

year.

Amount of coverage depends on total family

income. Those with incomes below $15,000

per year are not required to pay a deductible

amount. Those with incomes above $15,000

must pay all of the cost of their medications

until they reach their deductible amount. One

all the deductible amount has been

paid,PharmaCare will cover 70 percent of

medication costs. When the family maximum

amount is reached, PharmaCare will cover

100 percent of any further medication costs.

Those born in 1939 or before may be eligible

for Enhance Fair PharmaCare, which has a

lower deductible amount and cover 75

percent of costs before the full deductible has

been paid. Also, those with incomes below

$33,000 qualify for 100 percent coverage,

without having to pay any deductible.

Speak to a pharmacist. Your pharmacist may

be able to help you reduce the amount you

pay for medications. For example, they may

suggest an equally effective generic or

cheaper drug. If that’s the case they would

confirm the change with your doctor before

dispensing the alternate medication.

You can check if the medications you’re taking

are covered by PharmaCare by going to the

BC Ministry of Health Services website

www.health.gov.bc.ca and entering

“Formulary” in the search bar.

To calculate your deductible or to find out

more about Fair PharmaCare visit

www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare or call

1-800-663-7100.

PharmaCare

Page 3 March/April 2012

What is my deductible? It’s the

amount you must spend on drugs per

year before Fair PharmaCare begins to

contribute. It varies depending on fam-

ily income.

What is my family maximum? Also de-

pendent on income, your family maxi-

mum is the amount you must pay per

year on drugs before PharmaCare will

cover 100 percent of the cost.

The Family Caregivers’ Grapevine Page 4

A mother was not feeling confident about allowing her 13-year-old

son to babysit his younger siblings, even though he assured her he

was able.

“What about a fire?” she asked, referring to her number one con-

cern.

“Mom,” he said, rolling his eyes, “I’m a Boy Scout. I know how to

start a fire.”

Websites of Interest: Care-ring Voice

The Care-ring Voice Network, http://

www.careringvoice.com, offers tele-

workshops and webinars on a range of care-

giving issues. Taking part in the sessions is es-

pecially convenient for those with limited

transportation or who live outside the Lower

Mainland.

North Shore Community Resources (NSCR)

has hosted a number of successful free webi-

nars with the Care-ring Voice Network. Other

organizations that also host learning sessions

through the site are the Alzheimer Society of

BC, Canadian Virtual Hospice, the Multiple

Sclerosis Society of Canada and Family Care-

givers Network Society.

Register for a learning session by calling Care-

ring Voice, toll free, at 1-866-396-2433,

or accessing them on-line at

www.careringvoice.com.

Once you’ve registered, Care-ring Voice will

send you a reminder and instructions for log-

ging onto the session.

How to Log On

Logging on to a Care-ring Voice session is easy.

Log-on instructions are also posted on our

website at www.nscr.bc.ca. Click on

“Information,” then “Caregivers.” The link is

listed under “Education and Recreation Op-

portunities.”

How to Access Recorded Sessions

To listen to recordings of past NSCR webinars

or those of other participating organizations

click on “Tele-learning;” then “Workshop Re-

cordings” on the Care-ring Voice homepage,

then select the session you are interested in.

Laugh Lines: Be Prepared

Thanks to Readers Digest, www.rd.com

Heart and Soul of Caregiving

The Challenges and Joys with Wendy Lustbader, MSWwith Wendy Lustbader, MSWwith Wendy Lustbader, MSWwith Wendy Lustbader, MSW

Caregivers often defer their own needs for

the sake of family members needing as-

sistance. Drifting between difficult emo-

tions is also common, such as giving too

much and feeling resentful, then setting

limits and feeling guilty.

Learn how the heart and soul of caregiv-

ing is nourished by reclaiming joy and pre-

serving well-being for both caregivers and

their care partners.

This interactive workshop is open to family

caregivers and health care providers, to

celebrate BC Family Caregiver Week,

May 5 to 11, 2012.

Presenter Wendy Lustbader is a therapist, teacher and author of a several books in the field

of caregiving and aging. She is a popular speaker at conferences, using storytelling to ani-

mate complex subjects. She is an affiliate associate professor at the University of Washing-

ton School of Social Work.

A light lunch will be served.

Music by the North Shore Celtic Ensemble.

Cost: Free

Saturday, May 5, 2012, 10:00Saturday, May 5, 2012, 10:00Saturday, May 5, 2012, 10:00Saturday, May 5, 2012, 10:00––––2:00 pm2:00 pm2:00 pm2:00 pm

Seymour Golf and Country Club

3723 Mount Seymour Parkway

North Vancouver

To register or for more information, contact Helen at

604-982-3313 or helen.wait@nscr.bc.ca.

The Caregiver Support project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Social Development Partnerships Program.

The Family Caregivers’ Grapevine Page 6

When Richard Taylor was diagnosed with de-

mentia, probably due to Alzheimer’s disease,

began to write, often for five or six hours a

day.

“I write to better understand myself, to re-

member my own insights, to work through my

own issues, to find the right questions to ask,

and to find a few answers to give myself.

I write to entertain myself and reassure myself

that some of the old me is still here,” writes

Taylor.

In this highly personal and insightful collection

of essays, the author explores what it feels like

to gradually lose mental function. He writes

about having to give up control of his finances,

his driver’s license and his everyday responsi-

bilities.

At the end of each chapter are short useful

bits of information such as “Prevention Meas-

ures for Wandering” and “Insights for Families

coping with Alzheimer’s Disease.”

Reading his essays we get to know Taylor and

those in his immediate circle. Thanks to his

struggle to understand himself, his disease and

those who care for him, the reader also gains

some understanding of what it is like to be the

caregiver and the person with dementia.

Book Review: Creating Moments of Joy

by Josie Padro

“Nothing may be more important than being gentle with

ourselves. As family members called upon to care for a

sick relative, facing suffering continuously is no small

task. We learn the value of recognizing our own limits,

forgiving ourselves, our bouts of impatience or guild, ac-

knowledging our own needs. We must have compassion

for ourselves.”

—Adapted from Ram Dass

March/April 2012 Page 7

Over The Counter Pain Medication

by Shamim Confortin, Pharmacist

When it comes to pain management there

are many pain medications available at your

local pharmacy without a prescription. They

are referred to as over-the-counter (OTC)

medications. Your choice will depend on the

severity and form of pain, and on your exist-

ing medical conditions.

Most people know acetaminophen and will

reach for it first. Also known as Tylenol, it

works well for headaches, joint pain, fever re-

duction and tooth pain. It is the drug of

choice fo people on blood thinners because it

doesn’t affect blood clotting at low does. Ex-

amples of medications that are blood thin-

ners include, but are not limited to, Coumadin

(warfarin), Plavix (clopidogrel) or Pradax

(dabigatran). The maximum amount of aceta-

minophen a person should take is 4 grams per

day. This includes acetaminophen from all

sources including prescriptions like Tylenol

#3. For osteoarthritis pain, choose the ex-

tended-release 650mg form because it lasts

longer than regular tablets.

For pain due to inflammation, choose ibupro-

fen, commonly known as Advil and Motrin.

Ibuprofen works well for sore muscles, head-

aches, back pain, menstrual discomfort and

fever reduction. It must be taken with food as

it can cause stomach upset. Those with an al-

lergy to aspirin, those with an ulcer or those

taking blood thinners should not take ibupro-

fen.

Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, is one of the

oldest pain relievers around. However to get

adequate pain control you need to take a fair

amount, and that usually leads to side effects.

Aspirin has an effect on blood clotting so

avoid it if you are on blood thinners. The ex-

ception is low dose Aspirin, when recom-

mended by your doctor for heart attack or

stroke prevention.

The newest available OTC drug is naproxen,

also called Aleve, an anti-inflammatory, which

in the past was only available by prescription.

Naproxen is taken twice a day, always with

food. It is typically reserved for pain that is

not controlled by other medications. If you

have an allergy to aspirin, are on blood thin-

ners or have an active ulcer you should not

use naproxen.

Armed with more information, your pain

medication selection should be easier. Just

remember to take it as directed, and if you

have any questions or are unsure which prod-

uct is best for you, feel free to ask your phar-

macist.

The purpose of this column is not to advise people on their health concerns, but to provide basic information

for discussion with their own health provider.

The Family Caregivers’ Grapevine Page 8

Caring for Aging Parents: Bridging the In-Town/Out-of-Town Divide

by Josie Padro

Sibling relationships are often the longest re-

lationships people experience in their lives.

Usually born in the same era, siblings grow up

listening to the same music, following the

same fashion trends and experiencing the

same technological changes. They can be a

great support to each other throughout life.

When caring for aging parents, however, dif-

ferences in perspective, priority and history

can strain long-established ties.

In many cases when a parent needs care —

whether it’s hands-on or coordinating health

providers—the task falls to one sibling. Rela-

tives who are less involved because they live

out of town or have other obligations may not

know how to contribute. Resentments can de-

velop, with some caregivers feeling overbur-

dened and other caregivers feeling powerless

or left out.

Adult children who actively care for a parent

often feel that out-of-town siblings lack un-

derstanding of their parent’s abilities and con-

dition. Shouldering the care in addition to

feeling frustrated and abandoned can be

stressful.

Clarissa P. Green is a counsellor whose re-

search and clinical practice focuses on mid-life

family issues. She has some practical advice

for siblings whose parents need care.

Green points out that siblings who provide

most of the care become expert in how best

to be a caregiver. They learn much about their

parents’ physical and emotional needs and

how to meet those needs. Their skill and com-

fort can be intimidating, since out-of-town

siblings feel less confident in their own knowl-

edge and ability to care for their parent. This

lack of confidence or worry can often be ex-

pressed—and interpreted—as criticism.

The in-town sibling can help open up lines of

communication by being clear and honest

about what they need, which can be a chal-

lenge for those who find it difficult to ask for

help.“Sometimes those of us who are in-town

experts need to specifically invite a brother or

sister into the experience. Ask them what

they think, how they would approach a situa-

tion,” says Green.

Because the main caregiver is seen as compe-

tent, their siblings may not realize they need a

break from the job. Giving out of town family

members an opportunity to take over the care

will give them valuable time with their parent.

It will also allow the in-town sibling to step

away and recharge.

Out-of-town siblings can be fresh eyes, pro-

viding a new perspective that the primary

caregiver may overlook. or sister’s input helps

Welcoming a brother or sister’s input helps

them feel included and respected.

Siblings who are not hands-on caregivers may

need extra time to process information when

they’re in town for a visit. Green points out

that it can take some time to catch up emo-

tionally to parents’ changing and declining

abilities, so it’s wise to plan for this.

Out-of-town siblings can be supportive in a

number of ways. The first thing they can do is

to plan their visits well in advance. They can

ask their brother or sister to draw up a list of

what kind of help they would find most use-

ful. Household help is always appreciated.

That can take the form of housekeeping ser-

vices, pet care, or income tax help. Gift certifi-

cates for restaurants, gas or phone cards are

often welcome gestures of support.

Planning future care helps families avoid con-

flicts that can arise between siblings. The

most common areas of conflict centre on

styles of caring, finances and old emotional

issues. Green finds families who cope best

have made plans for how they will care for

their aging parents. “I urge people to talk

about this. Ideally, we talk about this before a

parent gets ill,” she says.

Maintaining the lines of communication be-

tween in-town and out-of-town siblings goes

A long way toward allowing family members

to feel supported and included. Finding ways

to do this requires a little trial and error. Con-

ference calls are one good way to get every-

one together, and using an agenda will help

ensure that everyone’s concerns are re-

spected and addressed.

In every family there exists a whole constella-

tion of relationships; each one is unique and

each one needs to be nurtured. Green advises

visiting siblings to not only spend time with

their parent, but also to also spend time with

their siblings and to maintain two lines of

communication—one with their parent and

one with each sibling. She emphasizes the im-

portance of keeping family ties up to date and

strong, so that after parents have passed

away sibling relationships will continue to

thrive.

Page 9 March/April 2012

Caring for Aging Parents continued

The Family Caregivers’

Grapevine is a bi-monthly

publication intended to

support family caregivers by

promoting the importance of

self-care while providing

practical information and

resources.

If you have any questions or

feedback about the

newsletter, please contact

the editor at:

josie.padro@nscr.ca

The Supporting Caregivers

Across the Lifespan Project

is located at:

North Shore Community Resources

201-935 Marine Drive

(Capilano Mall)

North Vancouver, BC

V7P 1S3

Tel: 604-985-7138

Fax: 604-985-0645

This project is funded by the

Government of Canada’s Social

Development Partnerships

Program. The opinions and

interpretations in this

publication are those of the

authors and do not necessarily

reflect those of the Government

of Canada.

The Supporting Caregivers Across the Lifespan Project

The Project provides:

● Education sessions for family caregivers

● Social recreation programs

● Expressive arts programming

● Tele-learning education sessions for family caregivers

(educational workshops over the phone)

● Education for professionals working with family caregivers

● Education for employers

Additional activities provided by the Caregiver Support Program:

● Family Caregiver Network groups

● Stress management and relaxation workshops

● Telephone support and individual consultation

● Educational workshops

● Information and referral to community services

● Library with books, videos, and other educational

resources

The Supporting Caregivers Across the Lifespan Project works in

partnership with the North Shore Caregiver Support Program.

Together we provide a wide variety of educational workshops,

caregiver support and resources for family and friends

supporting someone with an illness or disability.

You’re not alone.

We’re here to help.

Are you a family caregiver?

You are if you provide a family member or friend who is

chronically ill, elderly, palliative or living with a disability with

any of the following types of assistance:

● Personal Care: dressing, bathing, eating

● Household Work: house cleaning, shopping/errands,

preparing meals, yard work

● Coordination of Care: transportation, appointments,

arranging services, visiting

● Support: phone check-in, supervision, emotional

support

● Nursing Care: medication, changing dressings

For more information, contact Helen at 604-982-3313 or helen.wait@nscr.bc.ca.