Although all of our services are offered in person at our downtown office we understand that it is not always possible to drop by during office hours.  In order to serve you better we have provided the following links that you can browse through at your own pace and from the comfort of your home.  All of the below websites are reputable and provide valuable information on caregiving.  Please note that the following information is meant to be a resource tool and Caregiver Information and Support and the Saskatoon Council on Aging do not endorse the organizations featured below.

Download the Caregiver Resource Guide: The guide is an abbreviated resource based on the articles listed below. It is meant to provide an introduction to each topic. To learn more, please see the articles listed under each heading.

1. Healthy Aging:

Canada’s Physical Activity & Food Guides:
These two guides promote physical activity and healthy eating and include specific information for older adults.
Source: Active Living Coalition for Older Adults

Healthy Living: Seniors
Health Canada has resources to help seniors remain healthy as they age. Information is available on Healthy Eating, Injury Prevention, Oral Health, Physical Activity, and much more. You can also follow this link to find an index of health issues for seniors and information on them.
Source: Health Canada

Health and Wellness:
Seniors’ Info provides an index of health issues concerning older adults. Find information on a range of health related topics.
Source: Seniors’ Info

Healthy Brain: Taking Charge of Your Brain Health:
The Alzheimer Society provides information on how to keep your brain healthy as you age. They touch on many areas of health and lifestyle choices that can help reduce your risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Source: Alzheimer Society

Healthy Aging in Canada: A New Vision, A Vital Investment, From Evidence to Action - A Background Paper
This paper produced by the Public Health Agency of Canada provides an overview of healthy aging and provides five key areas of focus as Canada moves forward with a new vision for Healthy Aging.
Source: Public Health Agency of Canada

2. Fall Prevention:

If you Fall or Witness a Fall, Do You Know What To Do?
Practical tips to follow if you fall or see someone fall.
Source: Public Health Agency of Canada

How to prevent falls
What you can do to reduce your risk of having a fall.
Source: Public Health Agency of Canada

Staying on Your Feet.
A detailed checklist of how you can prevent injuries.
Source: Saskatoon Health Region

Top 10 Tips for Reducing the Chance of Having a Fall
Easy to follow steps that will help reduce your chances of falling.
Source: Saskatoon Health Region

Forever...in motion : Physical Activity for Older Adults
information about the Forever...in motion programs in the community
Source: Saskatoon Health Region

3. Family Communication:

Communication in Caregiving.
How to communicate between caregiver and recipient.  Also includes information on effective ways to communicate with health professionals.
Source: Caregiver Support

How to Support a Family Caregiver
A University of Victoria research study that details ways to support caregivers.
Source: University of Victoria: Centre on Aging

Holding a Family Meeting
Tips for holding a successful family meeting.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance

Making Choices about Everyday Care (For Families)
This article deals with family communication.  It also provides useful information on caregiver and recipient communication.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance

When Your Loved One Is Not Lovable
The article provides case scenarios for a variety of different caregiving situations.  It includes real life examples and explains how people cope with common caregiving issues, such as getting outside help and avoiding burnout.
Source: The Family Caregiver

4. Legal & Financial Information:

Money and Legal Matters:
The Alzheimer Society provides a description of the financial and legal documents that a caregiver should have organized early in the stages of an illness.
Source: Alzheimer Society

Finances and Pension:
The Government of Canada provides information on how to manage your personal finances, taxes, Insurance, and more. This website also includes information about different types of pensions and benefits.
Source: Government of Canada, Seniors Canada

Legal Matters:
The Government of Canada provides information on legal matters concerning seniors in Canada. This includes resources on wills and estates and advanced care planning, among others.
Source: Government of Canada, Seniors Canada

Health care Directives:
This brochure gives an overview of health care directives. It also contains information on living wills, proxies, and personal guardians.
Source: Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan

Older Adults and the Law:
With a broad range of information this document provides an overview of legal issues for seniors in Saskatchewan. It covers such issues as housing, power of attorney, consumer protection, and wills and estate planning, among others.
Source: Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan

Power of Attorney:
This pamphlet provides in depth information on power of attorney in Saskatchewan. It answers questions about who can be a power of attorney, duties of an attorney, and types of power of attorney.
Source: Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan

Life After 60: Legal Information for Older Adults, Their Families & Friends:
This booklet gives an overview of most aspects of your life and legal issues that affect them after the age of sixty. This includes information on family law, health care, money and property, fraud, and more.
Source: Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan

5. Long Distance Caregiving:

FAQ: Long Distance Caregiving
How do you provide care to a relative who lives far away from you? This article provides a short answer and overview of the steps you need to take to prepare for long term caregiving.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance

Handbook for Long Distance Caregivers
This guide will introduce new caregivers to the resources and strategies available for long distance caregivers. It includes a range of information to help caregivers prepare for their new role.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance

Alzheimer Care: Long Distance Caregiving
This article provides information for caregivers of relatives who have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It discusses the decision making process for providing care and how to arrange long term care.
Source: Alzheimer Society of Canada

6. Caregiver Burnout:

Protect Yourself Against Caregiver Burnout
This brief article by Veteran Affairs Canada provides signs of caregiver burnout and where you can find support if you are experiencing burnout.
Source: Veteran Affairs Canada

Caregiving and Depression
This article discussed the symptoms of depression and why caregivers are more likely to become depressed. It also provides advice on how to recognize depression and options for treatment.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance

Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Family Caregivers
Caring for yourself is an important part of caregiving. This article shares why it is important as a caregiver to remain healthy and the steps you can take to prevent caregiver burnout.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance

Caregiver Depression: Symptoms and Hope
This article can help you understand the symptoms and treatment of depression. It will also show you how to screen yourself for depression.
Source: National Family Caregivers Association

7. Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer Care
A detailed list of different links with information on topics such as behaviours, planning for the future, and frequently asked questions.
Source:  Alzheimer Society

What Should I Know About Alzheimer’s Disease?
Helpful publication that tells you what you need to know about Alzheimer’s disease.  Includes information on how the disease is diagnosed, prevented, and what supports are available.
Source: Public Health Agency of Canada

First Steps for Families
Information for families who have a loved one recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Source: Alzheimer Society

Caring for a Loved One with Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease
Short overview of Alzheimer’s disease, how it affects your loved one, and what you can do to help.  The personal comments at the end are also insightful.
Source: Home Instead Senior Car

8. Alternative Living Arrangements:

Alzheimer Care: Long Term Care:
In this section the Alzheimer Society discusses long term care options and the processes involved with this decision.
Source: Alzheimer Society

Continuing Care: Personal and Special Care Homes in Saskatchewan
 These two links discuss both personal and special care homes in the province of Saskatchewan.
Source: Government of Saskatchewan

Home Away from Home: Relocating Your Parents:
Family Caregiver Alliance discusses a variety of potential living arrangements and how to determine which living arrangement is right for each individual.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance

Residential Care Options:
This article discusses the decision to move to a residential facility. It also the different type of facilities and how to determine which one is the right one.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance

9. End of Life

Palliative Care Info-Sheet for Seniors
An information sheet on palliative care.
Source: Public Health Agency of Canada

Preparing for a Bereavement
Helpful information on how to plan for bereavement.
Source: Veterans Affairs Canada

End-of-life Decision Making
This article is a planning tool that gives you a place to start when facing difficult decisions. It deals with issues such as advanced care directives, powers of attorney, and care options.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance

A Caregiver’s Guide to End-of-Life Care
A very detailed handbook on providing end-of-life care.  It includes information on physical care, avoiding burnout, and guidelines for communication.
Source: The Order of St. Lazarus Canada

Compassionate Care Benefits
This article discusses compassionate care benefits available through employment insurance. Detailed information about eligibility, application method, and payment are included.”
Source: Service Canada