Rejuvenating the unsung heroes of healthcare.
Family caregivers, the often-overlooked lynchpin of the Canadian healthcare system, are the focus of the online documentary series Caregivers in the Wild. Through his hands-on experience as a health care professional and cancer survivor, Calgary-based digital storyteller Mike Lang came face to face with the contributions of these often unrecognized family members and friends, their subsequent risk of burnout and their need for support and advocacy.
Canada’s more than 8 million unpaid caregivers tend to loved ones living with chronic illnesses, disabilities or mental health challenges: the single mom raising a child with Down syndrome, the husband caring for his wife with dementia, the son assisting his dad living with PTSD. By shining a light on caregivers in the series, Lang advocates for increased government support, including paid leave and laws that offer flexibility in the work-life balance of caregivers.
“If the time they spent caring for loved ones were paid, it would overwhelm the healthcare system,” says Lang. “If they burn out, the system would collapse.” And some of the caregivers in the series haven’t been away from their charge in decades.
Leaning into the healing power of nature and with support from the TELUS Fund and volunteers, Lang matches caregivers with outdoor adventures ranging from mountain biking to winter camping. He uses these pursuits to encourage a strength-based approach, urging caregivers to seek metaphors in the outdoors, focus on their abilities and navigate challenges, much like avoiding obstacles on a trail.
“If the time they spent caring for loved ones were paid, it would overwhelm the healthcare system. If they burn out, the system would collapse.”
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Lang’s inspiration for the series is deeply personal. At 25, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, an experience that led him to produce a documentary about his journey. This experience was the beginning of his passion for storytelling as a means for healing and reflection. Lang says he is sharing these stories to help other caregivers apply wisdom to their own lives. “In health care, we were good at giving facts and knowledge but not at sharing stories that help people glean wisdom,” he says.
For the caregivers in the series, the impact of time spent outdoors is profound. They return feeling rejuvenated, with a renewed understanding of their roles and the importance of self-care. “They often forget about their own needs,” Lang notes. “This experience allows them to live their own adventure and gain new perspectives on caregiving.”
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