Our 2024 campaign “Valuing Caring” focuses on the profound concept of ‘give and get’ inherent in the caregiving journey. Caregivers give immeasurably to our society, not just in terms of their time and effort, but in their knowledge and dedication. In return, they gain value, both in personal growth and in the deep connections they forge through their caring roles.
We want to acknowledge caregivers’ contribution to improving patient outcomes, designing care models and innovations and contributing to our economy through their unpaid caring role.
We need to appreciate caregivers’ experiences and recognize that while the role is challenging, caregivers often experience personal growth, a heightened sense of purpose, and enriched life skills as a result of their unpaid caring role.
Valuing Caring: The Patient, the Health System, and the Economic Benefits of Caregiving
A discussion panel highlighting the crucial contributions of caregivers to the economy, healthcare system, and patient outcomes. Our conversations revealed the staggering value of unpaid caregiving in Canada, estimated at $97.1 billion in 2018, and emphasized caregivers’ roles in dementia care, seniors care and other areas. We also discussed the need for a nationally coordinated caregiver strategy and core elements that should be considered. Thank you to all attendees for joining this important conversation.
Facilitator:
JAMES JANEIRO, MPP
Director of Policy and Government Relations,
Canadian Centre for Caregiver Excellence
Guest speakers:
JANET FAST, PhD
Professor Emeritus and Co-director of Research on Aging, Policies, and Practice, Department of Human Ecology, University of Alberta
JEREMY ALTMAN
Chief Executive Officer
Equinoxe Lifecare
CLAIRE WEBSTER
Founder, Ambassador, and Faculty Lecturer, Dementia Education Program, McGill University
Valuing Caring: The Impact of Caregiving on Personal Growth and Relationships
This transformative discussion uncovered the often-overlooked benefits caregivers gain from their experiences. Our panelists explored how caregiving can lead to personal growth, a deeper sense of meaning, stronger connections, and enhanced life skills and knowledge. The session featured innovative approaches in education, engagement, and support for emotional loss to positively impact caregivers’ experiences and emphasized the intrinsic value of caregiving. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this enlightening conversation. We remain committed to supporting and valuing caregivers in our society.
Moderator: Jennifer Campagnolo, Canadian Home Care Association
Guest Speakers:
Christopher Klinger
Research Scientist, Pallium Canada, Chair, National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly’s (NICE)
Dr. JASNEET PARMAR
Lead Investigator, Caregiver-Centred Care, Professor, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta
DEBORAH SATTLER
Partner, Health and Wellness Friendly Communities Action Learning Lab
Our 2024 National Caregiver Day campaign, “Valuing Caring” focuses on the profound concept of ‘give and get’ inherent in the caregiving journey. Caregivers give immeasurably to our society, not just in terms of their time and effort, but in their knowledge and dedication. In return, they gain value, both in personal growth and in the deep connections they forge through their caring roles.
