Monday, February 21, 2011
Help us celebrate a special caregiver in your life. Nominate someone for Heroes in the Home Annual Caregiver Recognition Awards
Eastern Counties – As a health care professional, Frances Ghey is trained to handle the demands of illness and disease each day. But when her father, Peter, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s several years ago, the daily battle became personal.
As her father’s disease progressed, Frances began to worry about the increasing demands placed on her mother and their safety at home. Like many of those caught in the “sandwich generation,” she became their caregiver, with duties that included almost daily visits, scheduling additional in-home care and organizing respite opportunities for her mother until her father was finally placed in a long-term care facility.
“Being a nurse, Frances has been a great resource for her parents, being able to make recommendations from both a daughter and nurse’s point of view,” says Yane Brouillard, a case manager with the Champlain Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) who nominated Frances for the Heroes in the Home Caregiver Recognition Awards last year. “What is most remarkable is that Frances also works full time as a nurse, doing shift work, so her time is limited and she has her own family to take care of as well. Despite all of this, she excels in taking care of her loved ones.”
Every day, people in our communities provide wonderful care to those facing the challenges of age, illness and disability. Frances was one of 115 people celebrated last year as part of the Champlain CCAC’s annual Heroes in the Home Caregiver Recognition Awards. This year, four events will be held across Eastern Ontario: May 2 and 5 in Ottawa; May 10 in Pembroke; and May 12 in Cornwall.
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 the public system more than $5 billion dollars in unpaid labour every year.
“Family caregivers are the invisible backbone of the health and long-term care system in Canada,” says Lynn Graham, Champlain CCAC Board Chair. “These individuals whom we recognize through Heroes in the Home are truly exemplary. Each one is an essential member of a loved one’s care team.”
Any caregiver can be nominated through the awards program – a family member, friend, community volunteer, personal support worker, case manager, nurse, therapist or other health care professional. The nomination deadline is April 1, 2011. All nominees will receive a certificate of recognition and be honoured during special award ceremonies across the region.
“Through Heroes in the Home, we are celebrating caregivers who play a vital role in the delivery of health care in our region each day,” says Gilles Lanteigne, CEO, Champlain CCAC. “The awards also allow us to say thank you to these special individuals who give so much of themselves to help others in need in our communities.”
It’s easy to nominate someone special today. Just complete the one-page nomination form found at www.champlain.ccac-ont.ca and submit it to your local Champlain CCAC office.
For more information, please contact:
Suzanne Charest
Senior Communications Manager
Champlain CCAC
Phone: 613-745-8124 ext. 5997
Cell: 613-864-3925
E-mail: suzanne.charest@champlain.ccac-ont.ca
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