Caring for the caregivers

We take a look at the life of a caregiver, and the immense pressures people face when caring for a loved one with dementia. Dr. Joel Sadavoy has developed a program --the first of its kind in Canada-- designed to support these "working carers."

I'm very struck, as I often am, by the resilience of caregivers, and their capacity to adapt to these next-to-impossible situations. Having said that, that kind of overwhelming feeling and experience is universal as the disease of dementia progresses-  Dr. Joel Sadavoy

The Forbes family planned a very different retirement than the one they now face. The Forbes live in Belle River, just outside of Windsor, Ontario. Greg Forbes had just retired from Chrysler at age 65. His wife, Laurie, planned to continue working to supplement his pension.

But their plans all changed last summer when Greg was diagnosed with something called Lewy Body Dementia.

'"When this first happened I felt like I couldn't leave him along too long, so I quit my job. At first I wasn't getting any sleep, and I'm still a mom to four kids."- Laurie Forbes

Bruce and Joan Halpin live near Saint John, New Brunswick. Joan is 79 years old, and Bruce is 80.

About 10 years ago, Joan had a stroke, and she now has the beginning stage of dementia. Bruce is waiting on gallbladder surgery, and had a quintuple bypass a few years ago. One of their daughters, Kristen Geiger has moved in to help out at home, but Bruce still does much of Joan's caretaking.

'"I've never ever felt overwhelmed. I get tired sometimes, and I get cranky. It passes fairly quick. I realize I made a commitment to her 56 years ago and that's it." ​- Bruce Halpin

Dr. Joel Sadavoy is the Director of the Cyril & Dorothy, Joel & Jill Reitman Centre for Alzheimer's Support and Training at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto. He's also the head of Community and Geriatric Psychiatry Services at that hospital.

He developed the CARERS program, which supports people who are both working outside the home, and caring for loved ones with dementia inside the home.
 

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This segment was produced by The Current's Dawna Dingwall.