Volunteer Caregivers Vital for Overburdened Long Term Health Care

CORNWALL, ON – A remarkable group of citizens were recognized recently at an awards ceremony at the Ramada Inn in Cornwall, for the unique and compelling ways they care for those who are chronically ill and in need of home care support.

The Champlain Community Care Access Centre (CCAC), the agency responsible for coordinating the region’s in-home and in-school care for people in need, handed out ‘Heroes in the Home’ Caregiver Recognition Awards to 115 tireless individuals faced with unimaginable challenges, who work in partnership with the CCAC to ensure that health- and home-care is provided on a daily basis to loved ones who were ailing.

“Caregivers are the invisible backbone of the health and long-term care system in Canada,”

said Lynn Graham, Chair, Champlain CCAC Board of Directors.

“With the existing health human resource shortages and a growing aging population in Canada, the contribution of caregivers is particularly vital.”

The Canadian Caregiver Coalition estimates that 4 to 5 million Canadians are providing care for a family member with long-term health problems, and these caregivers save our public system more than $5 billion dollars in unpaid labour every year.

The economic value of caregivers’ unpaid eldercare to the Canadian economy is estimated to be over $5 billion and between $6-9 billion for all caregivers’ unpaid work including chronic and palliative care.

“These award winners represent the best of humanity in their ability to overcome what most of us would consider tragic circumstances and turn it into something positive,”

said Cameron Love, Interim CEO of the Champlain CCAC.

“These caregivers are ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” said Love.  “Moreover, these caregivers are unsung heroes who play a critical role in helping agencies like ours deliver vital health care services to some of the most vulnerable in our region.”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R46hWE0S-0

The agency has just released a video, produced by KAV Productions, that captures some of the outstanding stories of these dedicated individuals as they are recognized for their selfless role in improving the quality of live of the chronically ill.