Caregivers of Children with Chronic Illness

Welcome to the project web site for Building Awareness of Safe Use of Medicines Among Family Caregivers of Seniors and Chronically Ill Children (the Safe Use Project). This page deals with aspects of the Project aimed at caregivers of children with chronic illness.

The Project goal is to raise awareness about safe medicine use among family members, friends and/or neighbours who provide care to seniors and children with chronic illness.

Here are some items you’ll find in this section of the site:

	Tools	Focus on acquiring the knowledge needed to develop educational resources and tools
	FAQ	Answers some questions about children, chronic illness, some medication do’s and don’ts, and the Project
	Research	Background information on children with chronic illness, medicine use and general medication issues
	Bulletin	Bulletin Issue No. 1 Winter 2007

We are doing this Project because we recognize the growing role of caregivers and their need for support. We hope you find this site helpful. Check back often because we’ll be updating as the Project progresses.

Definitions

Caregiver

A friend, family member or neighbour who helps someone with daily living or health-related activities. There are many ways to help, such as helping with medicine, recognizing problems and discussing them with a health care professional, picking up prescriptions, arranging for transportation to and from appointments. In some situations caregivers may actually administer medicine, not just supervise or assist. Their attitudes towards and knowledge of the safe use of medicine are very important.

Medicine

Almost anything a person takes to feel better or become healthier. Tablets, capsules, pills, liquids, puffers (inhalers), creams, patches, drops, needles, even vitamins, herbs, ointments, laxatives, aspirin and antacids are all different types of medicine.

Chronic Illness

Children with Chronic Illness: Persons under age 18 with a chronic condition or disability who need help from a caregiver.

Chronic Illness: A health condition diagnosed by a health care professional that lasts at least six months. Asthma, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, cystic fibrosis, epilepsy, allergies and diabetes are common chronic illnesses children develop.