‘If we didn\u2019t have caregivers doing that work, our health-care system would crumble,’ says organizer of local event that feted Orillia caregivers<\/p>\n
A shift in format helped bring a new perspective and deeper understanding to this year\u2019s Caregiver Appreciation Event at Hawk Ridge Golf Club, held earlier this week.<\/p>\n
Hosted by the Couchiching Ontario Health Team, in partnership with North Simcoe Muskoka Specialized Geriatric Services, the annual event returned for its fourth year with a renewed focus on connection, bringing caregivers and service providers together in the same room for the first time.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it was an incredibly successful day,\u201d said Angela Munday, director of clinical services with the Couchiching Family Health Team. \u201cIt\u2019s our fourth annual one. So we changed things up a little bit this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
More than 40 caregivers and service providers registered for the event, which in previous years focused solely on recognizing caregivers. This time, organizers expanded the scope to also raise awareness among those working within the health system.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year we wanted to really increase, not only caregiver appreciation, but also caregiver awareness,\u201d Munday said. \u201cSo we brought in service providers as well to hear what we were talking about and hear the stories of caregivers and what they\u2019re going through so that we can kind of increase awareness for service providers that we need to be asking caregivers how they are and if they need some support as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Initial feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with organizers already considering continuing the format moving forward. The addition of service providers, Munday\u00a0said, created a more meaningful and impactful environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt felt a little more powerful,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen you\u2019re hearing from caregivers, when they\u2019re sharing what they\u2019re going through, when they\u2019re asking questions, I think it helped the service providers to think about what they do in a bit of a different way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Munday said the conversations helped highlight an often-overlooked aspect of care.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s another layer to the work that we do as service providers that in the past has often not been a priority,\u201d she said. \u201cWe always focus right on the patient, but I think this event helped to kind of deepen that awareness that we\u2019ve got to make sure that we\u2019re looking at all the different pieces of the care puzzle.\u201d<\/p>\n
Throughout the day, caregivers showed strong interest in practical tools and supports, including a growing initiative known as the waiting room revolution, which helps individuals better navigate medical appointments and advocate for their loved ones.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really kind of a social movement that we\u2019re adopting or joining here in Couchiching,\u201d Munday said. \u201cIt looks at ways to help caregivers navigate their loved one\u2019s illness with confidence and control.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hands-on strategies also resonated with attendees, particularly those focused on realistic self-care.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of folks will say to caregivers, \u2018You need to take a break. You need to do something for yourself.\u2019 And that\u2019s really a hard thing to hear as a caregiver because there isn\u2019t time to do that,\u201d she said. \u201cSo we focused more on five minutes. Can you do five minutes for yourself? Not like take a day and go to a spa kind of thing, but five minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The broader message of the day reinforced just how essential caregivers are to the health-care system. Munday said between 75 and 90 per cent of care is delivered by caregivers, with their contributions equivalent to roughly 2.8 million full-time positions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we didn\u2019t have caregivers doing that work, our health-care system would crumble,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Locally, she said efforts are continuing to build awareness and ensure caregivers are supported, both within the system and in the community. One of the biggest challenges remains helping caregivers recognize their role and feel comfortable asking for help.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of caregivers would say, \u2018I\u2019m not a caregiver, I\u2019m a spouse. This is what I signed up for,\u2019 or \u2018I\u2019m a daughter, this is what I signed up for,\u2019\u201d Munday said. \u201cBut you\u2019re allowed to acknowledge that this is really hard work and very stressful work, and you don\u2019t have to do it on your own.\u201d<\/p>\n