Caregiver Support and Well-Being Priority Project - Central East ...

• Caregivers provide the invisible back-up that allows the heath care system to keep functioningdespite limited public resources. Caregivers make the shift away from institutionalized care possible.Despite these realities, the health system has been woefully inadequate in its recognition and supportof family caregivers across Canada. xxv• A shift away from institutionalizing has left the bulk of care giving for seniors and individuals withmental health or addiction conditions and chronic diseases to family members and friends xxvi xxvii ; inmany cases, the presence and commitment of these caregivers makes an important difference inincreasing the possibility that care receivers can stay in their homes. xxviii• Caregivers’ needs, networks, resources, strengths and limitations vary from caregiver to caregiver xxix ;caregivers of different ethnic groups may experience the caregiver role differently, due, in part, todifferent perceptions of family and family obligations as well as to differences in social supports andthe personal coping capacities of the caregivers.• Much of the current volunteering capacity is made up of today’s seniors. We must consider what willhappen when those seniors are in need of care themselves. xxx• Individuals providing four hours or more of care per week were more likely to reduce their work hours,change their work patterns or turn down a job offer or promotion. Among this group, 65% of womenand 47% of men who were working over 40 hours per week were substantially affected. xxxi• Most are providing care to someone with a physical disability with 1 in 5 having both physical andmental difficulties xxxii ; the majority of people with disabilities who need support are supported entirelyby their family members and friends. xxxiii• Approximately 50% of individuals with dementia in Canada live in the community and almost all ofthese individuals are cared for by family or friends until these caregivers are no longer able tomaintain them at home. xxxiv• Individuals providing care to a family member are most likely to feel stressed in terms of theiremotional health, with close to 80% of individuals providing care to a family member reporting someemotional difficulties for themselves? xxxv Many require the use of mental health services andmedication for their own problems. xxxviProject CharterAt the 2007 Central East LHIN symposium entitled, “From Planning to Action”, planning partnersprioritized a list of projects from the Integrated Health Service Plan. Participants identified that caregivers’health and well being was one of the priorities which needed to move forward; in fact, it was priority #1.In December 2007, the Central East LHIN Board of Directors approved the Caregiver Support and WellBeing Priority Project along with a number of other projects which were aligned to the Central EastLHIN’s strategic directions. The Caregiver Support and Well Being Priority Project was sponsored by theDurham East Collaborative and a project charter writing team was developed from that collaborative andfrom other interested community members.The project charter (Appendix 2) outlines the scope, objectives and participants in the project andprovided a valuable reference base for the development and completion of the project.The Caregiver Support and Well Being Priority Project was funded from the Year One Aging at Home(AAH) strategy. The AAH Strategy is a three year strategy aimed at reviewing and revising the wayservices are delivered to seniors and providing more equitable access to health care for seniors.With each year of the strategy, funding has been allocated for community support services to enhanceservices for caregivers (Appendix 3).In March 2008, a project coordinator was hired and a project team was formed. The 18-member projectteam consisted of seven caregivers and 11 individuals representing organizations in the Central EastLHIN that provide support for caregivers.9