Did you know that family caregivers now provide the majority of care in the community and play a significant role across continuing care settings? In Alberta alone, caregivers contribute an estimated 647 million hours of unpaid care annually, valued at approximately $12 billion.
Because of this, the University of Alberta has launched a Caregiver-Centred Care project. As part of this work, Alberta’s first Family Caregiver-Centred Care Strategic Framework and Action Plan was designed, which includes a competency-based education program for healthcare providers.
The program is fully developed, evidence-informed, and available at no cost. Modules can be completed asynchronously online (approximately one hour) or delivered through a facilitated 90-minute session. The program aims to help clinicians increase your comfort, confidence, and skills to partner with and support family caregivers as part of the care team. Specifically, the program is designed to help clinicians
- recognize and partner with caregivers,
- assess and address caregiver needs, and
- support caregivers in navigating health and social systems.
All education modules can be accessed at caregivercare.ca. Those who complete the program will be provided a continuing competence certificate.
For more information, contact Dr. Jasneet Parmar at Jasneet.Parmar@ahs.ca or Dr. Sharon Anderson at sdanders@ualberta.ca.
