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Lorena Smalley

From Mexico City to Edmonton: The Marathon of Care

Gaby Sanchez, WE Seniors Edmonton Outreach Coordinator

A Homecoming of Different Roles

Last month, I returned to my roots. I spent two weeks in Mexico City, the place where I was born and lived for 29 years. While the world sees a dynamic, historic metropolis, for me, it is simply “home”—the place where my parents, now in their mid-eighties, still reside. They have a beautiful, frugal, and plentiful life in the same house they’ve owned for 40 years. But beneath the surface of their “aging in place,” there is a quiet struggle.

The “hustles of life” after eighty are relentless. They no longer cook or clean; vacations are a memory. Their days are often filled with long naps and television to mask the emptiness of a quiet house.

During my stay, I wore many hats: loving daughter, nurse, financial advisor, technician, and cook. I learned quickly that caregiving is about more than physical assistance. It is about being a friend, an advocate, and a safe harbor for the feelings they don’t easily disclose—the anger, sadness, and frustration of losing independence.

The Reality of the “Caregiver Battery”

By the end of the first week, I was exhausted. Seeing my parents struggle physically was frustrating; experiencing it alongside them was overwhelming.

I am not alone. Recent 2026 data from the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE) reveals that over 75% of caregivers report significant impacts on their personal well-being. Caregiving is a marathon without a finish line; if you run your battery down to zero, you cannot provide the care your loved ones need.

In Edmonton, these challenges are amplified by a “perfect storm” of local factors:

  • The Infrastructure Gap: With our senior population projected to grow by 121% by 2030, AHS home care is stretched thin, leaving families to navigate a complex “hybrid model” of public and private care.
  • The Financial Strain: The 2026 cost-of-living crisis means Albertans are spending upwards of $12,000 annually out-of-pocket on care.
  • Environmental Isolation: Our long winters create “cabin fever” and logistical gridlock, making it harder for help to reach the home.

The Caregiver’s Survival Guide: Maintaining Your Well-Being

Through my time in Mexico City and my research here in Alberta, I’ve identified five pillars to help you maintain your “self” while caring for others:

1. Offload The “Invisible Labour”

The Workload: Caregiving isn’t just bathing and feeding; it’s the administrative “project management” that burns us out.

The “Specific Ask”: When friends ask how to help, don’t say “I’m fine.” Say: “Can you pick up the prescriptions every Tuesday?” or “Can you bring dinner on Thursday?”

Use Respite Services: Look into local Edmonton organizations like Entrust Disability Services or Kinnections for short-term breaks.

2. Set Emotional Micro-Boundaries

Radical Acceptance: Accept that some days will be messy. You are doing the work of three people; you don’t have to be perfect.

Maintain an Outside Identity: Keep one hobby—a book club, gardening, or gaming—that has nothing to do with caregiving. It keeps “you” alive.

Practice Gratitude: Notice the good things in your life. Use the phrase, “Today, I am thankful for…”

3. Protect Your Physical Health

Prioritize Sleep: Lack of sleep leads to “caregiver brain.” Aim for 7–8 hours. If nights are tough, “nap-tag” with a family member.

Keep Your Own Appointments: Never cancel your own doctor or dental visits. You cannot pour from an empty cup.

Move Your Body: Even a 10-minute walk—whether around a Mexico City plaza or an Edmonton mall—significantly lowers cortisol.

4. Professionalize Your Support

Caregivers Alberta: Their COMPASS for the Caregiver program (headquartered right here in Edmonton) is a vital 9-week resource for managing guilt and boundaries.

Support Line: Save the Caregiver Support Line (780-453-5088) in your phone. It is free and staffed by people who understand the AHS system.

5. Secure Your Financial Protections

Tax Credits: Ensure you are claiming the Canada Caregiver Credit. In 2026, many exhausted caregivers miss out on thousands in rebates simply due to the paperwork burden.

Employer Policies: Check if your company has a “Caregiver Policy” for flexible hours or leaves.

A FINAL REFLECTION

My time in Mexico City was a privilege. It allowed me to hear stories that helped me know my parents for who they are now, not just who they were when I was a child. It also forced me to look at my own life in Edmonton. It reminded me that education and planning are our best defenses against burnout. To care for them well, I must first care for myself.

Are you currently navigating the caregiving maze in Edmonton? What is one “micro-boundary” you can set for yourself this week?

QUESTIONS?

Please contact:

Shelley Kuny and Gabriela Sanchez
Community Outreach Navigators