Leader in Smart Family Caregiving, Elizz Connects Caregivers Worldwide

MARKHAM, ON, April 3, 2018 /CNW/ - "How are you feeling today?" It's a question we often ask someone who is dealing with a health issue, but we rarely ask the people who spend days, weeks and sometimes years caring for a family member or friend. In an online poll of more than 900 family caregivers, 66 per cent said they are never asked this simple yet important question.

Elizz data shows that caregiver stress levels are highest during the holidays, March break, tax season and the end of the summer vacation; conversely, the number of caregivers ‘feeling awesome’ is highest at the start of the New Year and back to school (Elizz, 2018) (CNW Group/Saint Elizabeth Health Care)

Elizz, a leader in smart family caregiving, powered by Saint Elizabeth Health Care, created an interactive online tool – 'How are you feeling today?' or #HAYFT – to help caregivers understand they are not alone and that others are feeling the same way.

More than 10,000 family caregivers from across the globe have gone to Elizz.com and clicked on one of six feelings a caregiver may be experiencing. Findings show caregivers are experiencing a wide range of feelings, anywhere from feeling stressed to feeling awesome.

"How are you feeling today?" – Results below as of Tuesday, March 27, 2018:

Feeling stressed	Could use a friend	Feel like pulling my hair out	Not sure where to go next	I may need help	Feeling awesome
23%	14%	12%	15%	15%	20%

Elizz saw a need to connect and support caregivers with new thinking, technology-based solutions, and information – where they are and when they need it:  

• 'How are you feeling today?' microsite: Family caregivers are able to choose from six options and receive content and tips tailored to them. They can also see how other caregivers in their city responded and explore how caregivers are feeling around the globe.
  
  
• Caregiver AI Chatbot: Elizz is working to address the feeling of isolation with family caregivers through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Elizz is preparing to launch an AI chatbot for family caregivers that can hold conversations through text messaging. With technology created by X2AI Inc., and caregiver expertise provided by Elizz, the chatbot Tess™ is always available to chat and provides emotional support 24/7. Initial research shows an astounding 88 per cent responded positively when asked "did that help?"
  
  
• 'First-of-its-kind' online caregiver workplace program: 75 per cent of family caregivers are balancing work and caregiving. The elephant in the room is 46 per cent of employees are not comfortable speaking to their manager about caregiving as they feel it will negatively impact their career. In response, Elizz has developed an online program to support caregivers in the workplace and create caregiver friendly workplaces.

Quotes

"At Elizz, we see a changing landscape for family caregivers. Caregivers need ways to make their lives easier. That is why Elizz is embracing technology to reach and support family caregivers: at home, at work, and on the go through their mobile devices."
– Shirlee Sharkey, President and CEO, Saint Elizabeth Health Care and Elizz

"We are delighted with the response of caregivers worldwide to 'How are you feeling today?'. From the Americas to Australia, Asia to Europe, and Africa, family caregivers are sharing their feelings with us and others. We hope they feel better just knowing they are not alone."
– Allyson Kinsley, Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Brand Experience, Elizz

About Saint Elizabeth Health Care and Elizz

Elizz is powered by Saint Elizabeth, a national social enterprise providing home care, health solutions and education to people where they are and when they need it. With Canadian roots and more than 100 years of expertise, the not-for-profit organization is accelerating health care innovation to support healthy lives globally. Through its team of 9,000 health leaders, Saint Elizabeth delivers 20,000 care exchanges daily, totaling 50 million in the last decade alone. Learn more at saintelizabeth.com or find us on social media.

Related links

'How are you feeling today?' video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiO7kQgV3Ag&feature=youtu.be

'How are you feeling today?' microsite
https://elizz.com/how-are-you-feeling-today

Elizz: Things Left Unsaid video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCDEaUUc02I

SOURCE Saint Elizabeth Health Care

Media Contacts: Madonna Gallo, Head of Public Affairs, Corporate, 905-968-6430, [email protected]; Diana Ginsberg Cohen, Communications Manager, 647-884-7187, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.saintelizabeth.com/