Saint Elizabeth, Canada's largest social enterprise, unveils breakthrough new brand to help care for millions of often overlooked caregivers
MARKHAM, ON, Oct. 27, 2015 /CNW/ - Chances are, you know a family caregiver. Or you are one yourself. One out of every four Canadians today devotes significant time, energy and resources to caring for an aging parent or someone with long-term health needs. But who is caring for the caregiver? Saint Elizabeth, Canada's largest social enterprise, today is launching Elizz, a breakthrough new brand dedicated to all things caregiving. Elizz is designed to arm caregivers with the support and tools they need to better care for their family members – and themselves.
There are more than eight million caregivers across Canada, a population that is expected to increase to roughly one in three Canadians by 2020. These Canadians are often faced with the difficult task of balancing work and busy personal lives with the demands of caregiving, which can range from helping out with everyday activities to providing 24/7 care and support. Currently, 74 per cent of caregivers do not believe they have complete access to the resources they need.
"Millions of Canadians have stepped up to take on this extraordinary responsibility, and yet caregivers and their needs are largely invisible," said Allyson Kinsley, Senior VP, Strategy, Emerging Products and Brand Experience at Saint Elizabeth. "With more than 100 years of experience in health care and helping Canadian families in their homes, we understand caregivers. We created Elizz to provide them with much-needed support, encouragement and validation in all they do."
From a DIY Caregiver website, to virtual advice through caregiver coaches and nurse advisors, to health care services provided in the home, caregivers will find it all in one convenient place. Elizz.com also features a caregiver portal offering a simple and safe way to track documents and appointments, as well as a personalized social network for individual caregivers to manage their situation and connections with family and friends. These virtual supports and tools combined with home care services make Elizz a powerful resource for caregivers, helping to make their lives less stressful.
"My mother has struggled with serious illness over the past few years," said Elaine (Lainey) Lui, Author and Television Personality. "I had the privilege of being able to care for her, but continuing to manage a hectic career and balancing my family life made it an overwhelming experience. Had we been aware of a service like Elizz then, our family would have had a resource for much-needed support. I'm proud to partner with Elizz, because I want other caregivers out there today to know the help they need is here now."
For more information, Canadian caregivers can visit elizz.com or call 1-855-Ask-Eliz.
To view a PDF version of the infographic, Caregiving in Canada, click here: https://elizz.com/Media/Elizz/elizz/images/Caregiving-in-Canada.pdf
About Saint Elizabeth
Saint Elizabeth is a national health care provider that has been opening the door to new possibilities and care experiences for more than a century. Recognized as Canada's largest social enterprise, we employ 8,000 people and visit 18,000 clients every day. Through the Saint Elizabeth Research Centre, our Health Career Colleges and the Saint Elizabeth Foundation, we are helping to make the future of health care brighter and stronger. Learn more at www.saintelizabeth.com or find us on Twitter at @StElizabethSEHC.
SOURCE Elizz
Image with caption: "Infographic: Caregiving in Canada. Research shows that 74% of caregivers do not believe they have complete access to caregiver resources. (CNW Group/Elizz)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151027_C7948_PHOTO_EN_529220.jpg
Jennifer Britton, North Strategic (for Saint Elizabeth), 289-380-2327, [email protected]; Madonna Gallo, Saint Elizabeth, 905-968-6430, [email protected]
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