Support for Caregivers
Find practical advice, resources, and support to help you care for someone while taking care of yourself.
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Download printable PDFDeveloped with:
Kelly Ridder & Leanne Klein
Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist
Reviewed by:
Dr. Eli Puterman, PhD
Professor, researcher
Dr. Grace Park, MD, CCFP, MBA
Professor, researcher
Last reviewed: May 2026
Disclaimer
This information is for general education purposes only and does not replace advice from a healthcare professional.
What you need to know
This can include education, someone to talk to, guidance to figure out the medical system, counselling, and help with the caregiving work, including opportunities to take a break.
Steps you can take today
Plan ahead
One in four Canadians is a caregiver, so it makes sense to plan ahead for your own care and for the care of people around you. It might feel scary to have these conversations, but they will make things much easier in the future.
This guide, called Eldercare Planning: Starting the Conversation with Loved Ones , will help you get started. See also Planning ahead for your health care on this website.
Learn how to navigate the health care system
Caregiving often includes managing someone’s medical care. You will need to understand the health care system. Also, you might need to find resources for yourself. Luckily, there are services to help you.
Contact Family Caregivers of British Columbia or HealthLink BC for help. See Resources below for more details about these sources.
Know and use services
A wide variety of services and programs are available throughout BC, such as:
- Home care: trained health care workers come to your home and help with bathing, medication management, feeding, socializing, and more.
- Housekeeping: cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping.
- Day programs for people needing care.
- Overnight programs offering short-term stays for people needing care.
- Transportation.
- Nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, foot care specialists, hearing specialists, and others who can come to your home.
- Caregiver support clinicians for anyone experiencing stress, exhaustion, and health impacts because of their caregiving role (currently only available in the Fraser Health region).
To get started, talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner or contact your regional health authority . See Resources below for more information.
Ask for help from friends, family, and community
If anything happens—a fall, a new diagnosis, a financial crisis, a change in living situation—it’s easier to adapt when more people are involved. Don’t wait for a crisis. Inform others about the person’s health situation and invite them to participate in care.
Keep yourself healthy
If you are a caregiver, it can be hard to prioritize your health and well-being, but it is necessary. Caregivers sometimes get sick, go broke, or collapse from exhaustion.
They might experience “compassion fatigue,” which means they no longer have the energy to be kind. If this happens to you, you won’t be able to provide proper care. And just like the person you are caring for, you are worthy of support to remain healthy.
Staying Healthy While Caregiving is an online course you can take at your own pace.
Learn more by downloading the booklet Taking Care of Yourself: Self-Care Strategies for Family and Friend Caregivers .
Signs that a caregiver needs support
Isolation — not going out, not contacting family and friends
Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
Suicidal thoughts
If you’re a caregiver and are experiencing these issues, or you know a caregiver in this situation, help is available. Talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner or call the Family Caregivers of British Columbia 24-hour support line at 1-877-520-3267.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, immediately call or text the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8.
Take this short self-assessment quiz to measure your health as a caregiver.
Take the caregiver self-assessmentWhat the numbers say
The average unpaid workload for a family caregiver in Canada each week.
caregivers in Canada need to take time off from their paid job to provide care.
hours per year are spent by Canadians caring for people in their lives.
For every hour of formal health care, people receive about three hours of unpaid care at home.
Resources
Key places for help and information
Family Caregivers of British Columbia
A provincial not-for-profit organization supporting over one million people who provide physical or emotional care to a family member, friend, or neighbour. Support includes:
A 24-hour support line: 1-877-520-3267
Support groups
Free one-on-one coaching
Free courses
Help navigating the health care system
Webinars on topics like caregiver health, family dynamics, communication, and assertiveness skills
Support groups
Caregiver support groups in your region
Disease-Specific Family Caregiver Support Groups
Greater Victoria Caregiver Support Program
1-877-520-3267 (8:30 am – 4:00 pm Monday to Friday) | cgsupport@familycaregiversbc.ca
Caregiver Support Clinician program (in the Fraser Health region only)
Guides, tools, and information
Infographic
A 90-second video with tips and tricks for people new to caregiving
Advice, guides, and tools for caregivers from the BC Government
Need more help?
🟦 HealthLink BC
📞 Call 811 (24/7)
Health information and advice from registered nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, exercise professionals, and health service navigators.
🟩 BC 211
📞 Call 811 (24/7)
Community programs, financial assistance, housing, transportation, caregiving, resources, and more.
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