Hello from the Caregiver Navigator

Published November 10, 2020 Hello! My name is Wingsi and I am the Caregiver Navigator at the Richmond Family & Friend Caregiver Hub.

Like you, I am also a caregiver, to my grandparents who live in their own home in Richmond. My grandpa is fiercely independent but frail and can no longer drive himself to appointments. My grandma is physically healthy, but after several falls inside and outside of their home, she has been diagnosed with dementia. In my grandparents’ case, they have the support of their children and grandchildren who provide them emotional support through visitations and calls, assistance to appointments, and translation. This may not be the case for every family and caregiver, some are going at it alone or have no idea where to seek help.

Without support, caregivers may be unprepared and experience unchartered emotions, family conflict and greater impacts on home/work life with risk of burnout and health issues. With support, caregivers may develop a sense of competence and strength. My experiences in assisting seniors to access services through the Richmond Better at Home program as well as navigating the health care system for my grandparents will be useful to Richmond caregivers as they start and continue on their caregiving journey. 

Other than myself, there are two other members of staff to support caregivers, Carol Dickson (Manager, Seniors Community Support Services) and Pamela Lui (Program Coordinator, Seniors Community Support Services). Together we've curated a variety of workshops, resources, and services to form the Richmond Family & Friend Caregiver Hub where caregivers feel supported emotionally and find the resources and information they need to care for loved ones and themselves.