Caregiver Coalition applauds Federal support of caregivers

OTTAWA, Sept. 29 /CNW/ - The Canadian Caregiver Coalition (CCC) applauds the announcement yesterday by Defence Minister Peter MacKay of the 'Legacy of Care' program.  The promise to support families looking after injured soldiers with an allowance of up to $100 per day is an important acknowledgement of the vital role of family caregivers.  This announcement demonstrates the federal government's commitment to families and the caregiving responsibilities that they assume. 

"Financial support for those who must take time off work is a critical component of effective policy for family caregivers", said Nadine Henningsen, CCC President.  "We are pleased to see the federal government recognizing and furthering the support for family caregivers by mitigating their financial burden through this program."

There is a role for all levels of government and sectors of society to support family caregivers, which is expressed in the CCC's Caregiving Strategy.  The Strategy describes how we can collectively and individually take measures to support family caregivers, providing them the safety net they require in demanding circumstances.  The CCC's Caregiving Strategy includes the following elements:

• Safeguarding the health and wellbeing of family caregivers and increasing the flexibility and availability of respite care
• Minimizing excessive financial burden placed on family caregivers 
• Enabling access to user friendly information and education
• Creating flexible workplace environments that respect caregiving obligations
• Investing in research on family caregiving as a foundation for evidence-informed decision making

The CCC and our partners will continue to work with the federal government to advance policy for all family caregivers in Canada. 

About the Canadian Caregiver Coalition

The Canadian Caregiver Coalition is a diverse group of national and provincial organizations from across Canada that works collaboratively to represent and promote the needs and interests of family caregivers with all levels of government, and the community. The vision of the Canadian Caregivers Coalition is a Canada that recognizes and respects the integral role of family caregivers in society, and supports this role with the understanding that it is not a substitute for public responsibility in health and social care.

For further information:

Nadine Henningsen
President, Canadian Caregiver Coalition
905-361-3277
www.ccc-ccan.ca