Caregiver Centered Care: Supporting Family Caregivers in Healthcare
By Renée Pasishnek • January 1, 2026
The Importance of the Family Caregiver
Family caregivers play an essential role in keeping loved ones safe, comfortable, and connected at home. They provide far more than assistance with daily tasks – they offer reassurance, companionship, advocacy, and the familiar support that only family can give.
Because of their close relationship and deep understanding of their loved one’s needs, family caregivers are vital partners in care. By recognizing, respecting, and supporting them, we strengthen the foundation of home care and honour the dedication they show every day.
What Is Caregiver-Centered Care?
Caregiver-Centered Care is a person-centered approach that focuses on the needs, experiences, and well-being of family caregivers. It prioritizes a strong partnership between families, health, and community care professionals
This model supports family caregivers in:
- Their caregiving role
- Decision-making around services
- Care coordination and management
- Advocacy for their loved one(s)
Caregiver-Centered Care recognizes that to provide the best possible care, caregivers must be supported, informed, and valued as partners in care.
Granddaughters’ Commitment to Caregiver-Centered Care
In October, Donna and Kelly joined colleagues in Edmonton for the Alberta Continuing Care Association (ACCA) Annual Conference.
Granddaughters Home Care has been a proud member of ACCA for many years, ensuring we stay informed and aligned with the evolving continuing care landscape in Alberta.
Over the years, we have seen a clear shift toward collaborative care – bringing together families, health professionals, and community organizations to better support those receiving care. This conference reinforced the importance of that collaboration and highlighted how strong partnerships lead to better outcomes.
We were introduced to the Caregiver-Centered Care Program and are excited to begin implementing this framework within our team. This approach will strengthen our collaboration with families and further recognize the essential role they play in care.
We deeply valued the conversations, shared experiences, and thoughtful exchange of ideas throughout the conference. The openness, transparency, and compassion demonstrated by participants reflect our shared commitment to those we serve.
What Caregiver-Centered Care Looks Like in Practice
Caregiver-Centered Care includes:
- Putting people at the center of care and respecting their values
- Taking caregivers’ preferences and expressed needs into account
- Coordinating and integrating care across providers
- Customizing communication, information, and education
- Ensuring timely access to appropriate care and resources
Ultimately, this approach integrates family caregivers as true partners in care, supporting both the care recipient and the caregiver’s well-being.
Moving Forward Together
Granddaughters Home Care continues to lead with compassion, collaboration, and innovation as we grow alongside Alberta’s continuing care system. We look forward to sharing more learning, progress, and meaningful moments with our community.
Thank you for being part of our story.
Ready to Learn More?
Explore the Level 1: Foundational Caregiver-Centered Care course, designed to strengthen how care teams recognize, support, and partner with family caregivers. This comprehensive program covers six core domains: Recognizing Family Caregivers, Communicating with Family Caregivers, Partnering with Family Caregivers, Fostering Resilience in Family Caregivers, Navigating Health & Social Systems and Accessing Resources, and lastly, Enhancing the Culture and Context of Care.