January 31, 2013 - 12:52am
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, January 28, 2013
NANAIMO, BC: Caring for an aging relative can be one of the most physically, emotionally and mentally challenging tasks in a person’s life, according to Nanaimo clinical counsellor Maureen Adkin.
That’s why she wants to share her knowledge and experience with present and future caregivers at a two-day personal wellness course called “Caring for Aging Loved Ones” offered through Vancouver Island University’s Continuing Studies department on Saturday, Feb. 2 and Sunday, Feb. 3 at VIU’s Nanaimo campus from 9 am to 4:30 pm each day.
Adkin has assembled a team of experts, including a lawyer, financial advisor, natural path, nutritionist, nurse, fitness teacher and a seniors’ advocate, who will address various aspects of caregiving for the elderly.
“This workshop will empower caregivers by teaching them everything they need to know to provide effective, quality care,” says Adkin. “The workshop is ideal for anyone. Chances are most of us will become caregivers at some point in our lives, or require care ourselves.”
During the nine years that Adkin cared for her mother, she searched in vain for a workshop to provide her the information she needed. Knowing firsthand that caregivers need and deserve support, Adkin decided to organize the two-day workshop after completing her master’s degree.
“There is critical information I have to share,” she says. “My mother lived with me and passed away at age 97. I was happy to provide care, but it was extremely demanding.
“I quickly learned how to effectively navigate the labyrinth that is the caregiver’s landscape of hospitals, doctors, lawyers, bureaucracies, prescription drugs and more. This is no easy task for any caregiver and without a workable plan one can easily become lost, overwhelmed and burnt out.”
Adkin experienced a range of emotions while looking after her mother. “Sometimes I wasted so much time trying to locate or identify available services to help her. I was angry because that would eat into the quality time I could spend with her. I learned that as a caregiver, you have to take advantage of those wonderful, quality moments with your loved one because you don’t always get another chance.
“If you are exhausted, tired and stressed out, you are not able to provide quality care,” she adds, “and your loved one deserves quality care. They likely have given a lot to their family and to their community.”
The two-day session will focus on the physical and psychological care of an aging relative, as well as the demands on the caregiver physically, emotionally and mentally. Caregivers will gain confidence and learn practical strategies to offer quality care to their loved ones, and how to care for themselves.
“You cannot properly care for a loved one if you are not taking care of yourself,” Adkin says.
Adkin is delighted to return to VIU’s Nanaimo campus in a teaching capacity. Five years ago, at age 64, she graduated with distinction from VIU with a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a minor in Psychology and Liberal Studies, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Last year, she completed a Master of Education in Counselling degree, and now operates a private practice out of her Nanaimo home. She also studied for two years in VIU’s First Nations program.
VIU’s Caring for Aging Loves Ones weekend workshop at VIU’s Nanaimo campus costs $99 plus HST. To register, call the Continuing Education department at 1-866-734-6252. To reach Adkin, call 250-751-5855.
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ABOUT VIU: Vancouver Island University is Canada’s west coast university. Known as a centre of excellence for teaching, learning and applied research, VIU offers a diverse range of certificate, diploma and undergraduate and master degree programs to more than 18,000 students on campuses in Nanaimo, Powell River and Cowichan, and at the Parksville-Qualicum Centre. For more information visit www.viu.ca
MEDIA CONTACT
Janina Stajic, Manager, Vancouver Island University
P: 250.740.6288 E: Communications@viu.ca Twitter: @VIUNews
Tags: In the Community
