National Caregivers Day – April 2
The ‘care-giving’ aspect of ‘healthcare’ is underrecognized and undervalued because the focus is too often placed on passing patients through a revolving door of prescriptions and quick fixes.
The essential on-going care and protection of people is left in the hands of spouses, parents, siblings, and close family friends. By providing care at home, they play an essential role in alleviating the strain on the overburdened health care system.
- Ninety-six percent (96%) of individuals receiving long-term home care have an unpaid caregiver.
- Caregivers contribute $25 billion in unpaid care to our healthcare system.
Not enough support is given to caregivers, who are the invisible backbone of our health care system.
When will we realize that caregivers comprise the essential ‘hidden’ health care system?
Applauding their compassion and taking their commitment for granted is not enough.
Addressing the physical, emotional, and financial issues requires money, yes, but a new, holistic way of looking at the role caregivers play and implementing solutions to support them, and society as a whole.
It’s time to advocate for the proper recognition of caregivers. At some point, every one of us will become a caregiver or will be in need of a caregiver.
Kudos to the Government of Québec for appointing in 2018 a minister responsible for caregivers and seniors and for passing a law to recognize and support caregivers. In addition, the Québec Government has prepared an action plan for caregivers 2021 -2026 to ensure that concrete actions are taken to support informal caregivers.
See the BIG picture. Focus on what’s important.
Additional reading
Les défis de la proche aidance
theBIGpicture Camille 