Tuesday, April 5, was National Caregivers Day.

This is a day for Canadians to recognize the enormous contribution caregivers make to our society.

There are almost eight million family caregivers in Canada. National Family Caregivers Day encourages all Canadians to recognize their contribution and to and celebrate them.

In April, 2020, Parliament passed a resolution declaring National Caregivers Day for the first Tuesday in April. Canada became the first country in the world to have a day dedicated to the importance of the unpaid work carried out by family, friends, and neighbours in caring for the sick and elderly.

In the past year alone, over 1.6 million Canadians became caregivers to an elderly relative and a further 1.1 million expect to become caregivers in the next 12 months.

The Caregivers Network for East Kootenay Seniors understands the challenges faced by caregivers and the sacrifices they make, even more so during this time of stress and uncertainty with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tobi Johnston, Executive Director of the Caregivers Network for East Kootenay Seniors says, “Family members are the largest group of caregivers. We are so grateful to the hundreds of thousands of our unpaid family and friend caregivers who are helping our senior population to age in place. Canada is dependent on families to provide emotional support, and to assist their older parents, grandparents, and other family members when they can no longer function independently. The role of the unpaid family caregiver in the Canadian landscape is saving the taxpayers and health care system millions of dollars.”

It has been estimated that family caregivers contribute over $5 billion worth of unpaid work that relieves the burden on the health care system.

So, if you know someone who is caregiving, offer support, thank them for their contribution and in your own way celebrate the difference they are making in the lives of others and our country.

Caregivers Network for East Kootenay Seniors

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