Back April 04, 2017

For the first time in Canada, the Prime Minister has released a statement celebrating the diversity, role and value of caregivers on April 4, National Family Caregiver Day. Saint Elizabeth applauds Prime Minister Trudeau for recognizing the 8.1 million Canadians who have taken on the vital role of Family Caregiver to someone who needs them.

As one of the signatory partners of Carers Canada, Saint Elizabeth sponsors the annual national day of celebration and today joined the association in hosting a special Caregiver Breakfast on Parliament Hill.

As our population ages, the number of people who want to stay in their own home is increasing. Family, friends and neighbours are stepping up to provide care and fill the gap in our publicly funded health care system. With 75% of family caregivers also employed, this can mean juggling their work, personal and caring responsibilities, often at the cost of their emotional, physical and financial status.

"With Elizz, our brand dedicated to all things caregiving, we're connecting with family caregivers in a fresh new way and giving them a greater voice by bringing this issue into the social mainstream," said Shirlee Sharkey, CEO of Saint Elizabeth. "In the past 18 months, we've connected with over two million caregivers and supported thousands on their journey."

Through its DIY website and interactive digital tools, Elizz gathers online data from caregivers to better understand their issues and concerns. Responses from over 18,000 caregivers reveal they are not only stressed and short on time, but they are not asking for help and often don't even realize they ARE a family caregiver.

Key Caregiver Insights from Elizz.com:

• 83% say they don't have time each week to get things done
• 80% say they are concerned about the safety of the person they're caring for
• 75% of caregivers have a lack of time to perform activities other than caregiving
• 61% of caregivers say they don't have friends or family helping them
• 47% said they are "just doing what family and friends do for each other"

To discover the latest caregiver news, take the Elizz 5 LifeStages of Caregiving® assessment, or learn more about Saint Elizabeth's services for caregivers and families, visit Elizz.com.

About Saint Elizabeth

Saint Elizabeth is a diversified health care company that has been opening the door to new possibilities and care experiences for more than a century. Recognized as Canada's largest social enterprise, the not-for-profit charitable organization employs 8,000 people and visits 19,000 clients a day, totalling 50 million visits in the past decade alone. Through its Research Centre, Health Career Colleges and Foundation, Saint Elizabeth is helping to make the future of health care brighter and stronger.

For further information: Media Contact: Madonna Gallo, 905-968-6430, mgallo@saintelizabeth.com