Caregiver Appreciation Week will take place from November 6 to 12, 2023
Star Caregiver
Highlight the crucial work of caregivers from your community by nominating them for the Star Caregiver initiative. Fill out the online form (https://forms.office.com/r/
Their contributions may be recognized publicly and they will be eligible to enter a regional prize draw.
What is a natural caregiver?
A caregiver is a person who provides continuous or occasional support of significance to someone living with limitations or a disability. A natural caregiver can be someone who looks after their elderly parent, a grandparent who looks after a disabled child or a neighbour who occasionally shovels snow from an access ramp next door. When it comes to caregiving, all gestures count.
What is a worker-caregiver?
A worker-caregiver is a person who provides support in the context of their employment to people living with limitations or a disability. Workers-caregivers hold positions in Nunavik Elders’ Homes or with the homecare team of the Health Centres. Most do not hold any formal training, but most importantly they hold historical and cultural knowledge in caring for communities and work passionately with those in need. The support of workers-caregivers is crucial for Nunavik families and for the health system.
Caregivers in Nunavik
Caregivers can be of any age and come from any background. In Nunavik, the number of caregivers is estimated to be around 140 people. The pressure on caregivers is increased in Nunavik due to several challenges that affect the availability of homecare resources. The Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (NRBHSS) will develop a three-year regional action plan (2023-2026) to better support caregivers with the help they provide. The Nunavik regional action plan will be part of the national policy (French only) and the government action plan (French only) (2021–2026) for natural caregivers: Recognize to Better Support.
Caregivers contribute significantly to their community and the exceptional work they do is essential. Their efforts should not be overlooked. Without caregivers, many people in need would be forced to change their living environment, to move to another community or to the South. Many of them are elders who carry with them the memories and wisdom of communities.
Caregivers need support in order to continue what they do, which can be demanding and is not without challenges.
Challenges for caregivers often include:
- stress and anxiety
- impatience and frustration
- feeling overwhelmed
- isolation
- tardiness and absence at work or school
- reduction of working hours
- financial issues
- limitations in their ability to take care of their own physical and mental health
- limitations in their ability to tend to other social and family obligations
- change in the dynamic between caregiver and the person being cared for
Given the challenges caregivers face, there may be need for:
- time to take a break and rest
- psychosocial support
- flexibility with employment or academic schedules/workloads
- information and training
- financial and material support
- support for the activities of domestic life and daily life
- information and services in their language.
Caregiver Appreciation Week is an opportunity to highlight the contributions of all caregivers and show them appreciation.
From November 6 to 12, 2023, Caregivers will be recognizable when bearing a badge with a star. The star represents their guiding role and the beacon they are for many people.
Show Support!
Flyer - black & white (11"x8.5"):
