Dementia Caregiver Resilience Clinic

Our team includes a social worker, occupational therapist and geriatric psychiatrists. They all support caregiver resilience throughout the trajectory of the dementia illness. The clinic is positioned within the Older Adult Outpatient Clinic.

Based on individual needs, group or one-to-one services may be offered. Individual services may include psychotherapy, support, and skill building. Current groups include:

• CARERS (problem solving technique, and communication strategies using simulation with a trained actor/simulated patient)
• Mindfulness-Based Dementia Care (MBDC) (mindful awareness of self and person with dementia, mindful communication, and self-care strategies using formal and informal meditation practices)
• Core Communication Skills for Dementia Caregivers (in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of BC)
• Core Well-Being and Resilience Skills for Dementia Caregivers (in partnership with Family Caregivers of BC)
• Supporting Families of People Living with Dementia in Long-Term Care (in partnership with Providence Living at the Views) 

The clinic supports caregivers to:

• Reduce risks to their own physical and psychosocial health and well-being
• Increase resilience and reduce caregiver distress
• Enhance caregiver confidence and competence, thereby improving the well-being of both the caregiver and the person with dementia
• Improve their ability to collaborate effectively with the health care team providing care for the person with dementia
• Optimize the ability of the family system to support community living for the person with dementia where suitable

We focus on supporting caregivers’ health and well-being as a priority—not as a secondary consideration to caring for someone with dementia.

Traditional health care systems often emphasize external supports. This can include home care, respite services, adult day programs, or caregiver tax credits. These services are helpful and important, but they don’t solve everything. Even with the best external help, caregivers still face stress, challenges, and major disruptions to their lives.

The focus of our clinic is supporting dementia caregivers to build internal skills and resilience. We work with caregivers to help them learn skills like problem-solving, effective communication, self-awareness, and restorative self-care practices. These tools give caregivers the confidence and ability to better manage the challenges of caregiving, no matter how limited external resources may be.

The Indigenous Wellness Liaison Team is here to support your health journey. Team members offer cultural support and healthcare advocacy. Learn more below or call them at 604-682-2344,62937 or email IWL@providencehealth.bc.ca.