Put patients first, says Health Council

The Health Council of Canada shares insights on patient engagement from patients and Canada's leaders in health care

VANCOUVER, February 23, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Today, the Health Council of Canada released Turning what we know into action: A commentary on the National Symposium on Patient Engagement, calling for the inclusion of the patient voice when designing, planning and delivering health care services in Canada. The goal of the symposium is to raise awareness of the potential of patient engagement as a means of improving the health care system.

"Patients with informed voices have a role to play in health system planning and ultimately on health care delivery," says John G. Abbott, CEO of the Health Council of Canada. "However, patients must feel empowered and must be properly oriented to effectively assume that role."

In October 2011, the Health Council of Canada held a national symposium on patient engagement. Patients, representatives from patient organizations, provincial and federal government representatives, researchers, health system administrators and health care providers shared their perspectives on patient-centred care.

A strong message from participants coming out of the symposium is the need to have patient engagement as a performance goal.

"We know governments make the most progress on their goals when specific objectives and concrete targets are set up front," says Mr. Abbott.

The patient experience should be measured at all levels of the health care system. The measurements should be used to set targets for higher quality care that is in keeping with patient experiences and expectations.

An equally strong message echoed by participants is the need to shift from a provider-focused to patient-centred care. To allow patients to take a more active role in their health care, governments and health care providers must shift the way health care is delivered to focus on patient-centred care. Patient-centred care concentrates on relationships that are a two-way exchange of information: patients are empowered, providers are willing to listen to them, and decisions are made as a team.

"Businesses listen to their customers, in the business of health care, the customers are the patients, and must be heard," says Mr. Abbott.

A recent report released by the Health Council of Canada, How Engaged are Canadians in their Primary Care: Results from the 2010 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey, revealed that only 48% of Canadians feel involved in and are actively participating in their own health care. This means less than half of Canadians are taking a more active role in maintaining their health, oftentimes leading to increased satisfaction with their care. Engaged patients better understand and know more about their care, which leads to better use of health care services and resources. The symposium reinforced these findings.

About the Health Council of Canada

Created by the 2003 First Ministers' Accord on Health Care Renewal, the Health Council of Canada is an independent national agency that reports on the progress of health care renewal. The Council provides a system-wide perspective on health care reform in Canada, and disseminates information on leading practices and innovation across the country. The Councillors are appointed by the participating provincial and territorial governments and the Government of Canada.

Video: What we heard from over 160 participants at our National Symposium on Patient Engagement

$12 Million in New Funding for Influenza Research across Canada

Investing in the health of Canadians

HALIFAX, February 23, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - New funding of $12 million from GlaxoSmithKline plc. (GSK) - a world-leading research-based pharmaceutical company - will support an additional three years of research, monitoring the effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccines by tracking the incidence and severity of disease in adults hospitalized with influenza. The research will be conducted in forty hospitals across Canada comprising approximately 17,000 adult acute care beds, including sites in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia. Researchers representing the Public Health Agency of Canada/Canadian Institutes of Health Research Influenza Research Network (PCIRN), announced the funding for the Serious Outcomes Surveillance (SOS) Network today in Halifax, where the national research will be led.

The PCIRN SOS Network began its work in 2009 with support from the federal agencies. The network is managed by a national team of investigators led by Dr. Shelly McNeil, an infectious disease specialist at Capital Health, Halifax, and Associate Professor, Dalhousie University. The QEII Health Sciences Centre and Dartmouth General Hospital are participating sites in Capital Health.

"This significant funding from GlaxoSmithKline will help ensure that the key infrastructure we began building three years ago will continue to serve Canadians," said Dr. McNeil. "Specifically, funds will support the operation of surveillance sites at hospitals across Canada, as we focus on the evaluation of influenza and influenza vaccine effectiveness in the elderly."

The PCIRN SOS Network also assesses the health and economic burden of influenza in Canadian adults, in order to best understand how vaccines can be used to prevent influenza disease in adults, and to understand risk factors for more severe disease. The research conducted by the Network can also be used to assess the effectiveness of new vaccines as they become available.

Dr. Ray LeBlanc, Vice President, Innovation and Learning at Capital Health, said

"partnering with business helps support large-scale national research such as this with the potential to benefit all Canadians."

"What we learn from clinical research evaluating the effectiveness of vaccines will make a difference not only to those at risk of serious complications from influenza, but can also help us reduce the burden on our health care systems across the country," Dr. LeBlanc said. "We are proud to be leading this work at Capital Health."

"We believe the research-based pharmaceutical industry should be part of the solution to the healthcare sustainability challenges that face Canadians," added Paul Lucas, President and CEO, GlaxoSmithKline Inc. "And GSK is prepared to make investments in strong collaborations, like with PCIRN's SOS Network for the influenza surveillance study, that will enhance our understanding of disease burden, help to demonstrate the value medicines and vaccines can bring to patients, and ultimately improve the healthcare system and the lives of patients across this country and around the world."

Seasonal influenza (flu) is a common infection of the airways and lungs that can spread easily among humans. Influenza may be associated with serious complications such as pneumonia, especially in infants, the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions like diabetes, anemia, cancer, immune suppression, HIV and kidney disease. The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that on average, the flu and its complications send about 20,000 Canadians to hospital every year, and between 2,000 and 8,000 Canadians die.

About PCIRN and the SOS Network

PHAC/CIHR Influenza Research Network (PCIRN), a national network of influenza vaccine researchers, develops and tests methodologies related to the evaluation of influenza vaccines as they pertain to safety, immunogenicity and effectiveness, and program implementation and evaluation. PCIRN is funded by a grant from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and was established in 2009. Currently more than 90 investigators at 30 institutions across Canada are involved in the network.

The Serious Outcomes Surveillance Network (SOS Network), an arm of PCIRN, is comprised of 40 adult hospital sites representing 17,000 acute care beds in seven provinces. The SOS Network is managed by a team of investigators led by Dr. Shelly McNeil, based at the Canadian Center for Vaccinology, a collaboration between Capital District Health Authority (CHDA), the IWK Health Centre and Dalhousie University.

About GlaxoSmithKline Inc.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is a leading research-based pharmaceutical company with a challenging and inspiring mission: to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better, and live longer. This mission gives GSK the purpose to develop innovative medicines, vaccines and healthcare solutions that help millions of people. GSK is consistently recognized as one of the 50 best employers in Canada and is a top 15 investor in Canadian research and development, contributing more than $141 million in 2010 alone. With a proud tradition of charitable and community support, GSK is designated a Caring Company by Imagine Canada. Discover more at GSK.ca.

About Capital District Health Authority

Capital Health comprises: Addiction Prevention and Treatment Services; Capital District Mental Health Program; Centre for Clinical Research; Cobequid Community Health Centre; Community Health; Dartmouth General Hospital; East Coast Forensic Hospital; Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital; Hants Community Hospital; Integrated Continuing Care; Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital; Nova Scotia Environmental Health Centre; The Nova Scotia Hospital; Public Health Services; Twin Oaks Memorial Hospital; and the QEII Health Sciences Centre.

The Capital Health District also encompasses seven volunteer Community Health Boards that advise Capital Health through the development of community health plans and encourage public participation in health planning. For more information, visit the Capital Health website: www.cdha.nshealth.ca.

About Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University, located in the heart of downtown Halifax, is a world-renowned educational institution providing exemplary leadership in academia, research, and community. At the forefront of leading research initiatives, Dalhousie boasts one of the best student-faculty ratios in Canada and is home to nationally and internationally celebrated faculty members. Across all three campuses, you'll find diversity among students, variety among programs and opportunity for personal and professional growth.

David Mirvish Named Eighth University of Guelph Chancellor

GUELPH, Ontario February 14, 2012 University of Guelph News Release - David Mirvish, a Canadian theatre producer, art collector and lifelong supporter of the arts, has been named as the next chancellor of the University of Guelph.

His appointment was endorsed by a vote of the University’s Senate Monday. He will be installed during a ceremony in June.

David Mirvish“David is a cultural icon and leader,” said U of G president Alastair Summerlee. “He has been a dominant force in Canada’s artistic community for decades and possesses great vision, ingenuity, imagination and enthusiasm.

“He is known nationally and internationally for his productions and artistic contributions. His experience, wealth of ideas and endless creativity will be an asset in these times of great challenges. He will also add lustre to our reputation as a place that inspires creativity and engaged inquiry.”

As chancellor, Mirvish will preside at convocations, confer all University degrees and act as an ambassador. As the University’s senior volunteer, he will represent its interests to all government levels.

“It’s an honour and privilege to be asked to serve as chancellor of the University of Guelph,” Mirvish said.

“I am proud to become a member of a university community that is making a difference around the world. Whether it be the food on our tables, the quality of the environment, our health, and the critical aspects of our communities and culture, the University of Guelph is having an impact. I look forward to getting to know the students, faculty, staff and alumni, and to being an ambassador for Guelph’s people, ideas and innovations.”

As a longtime arts patron, Mirvish is an internationally renowned collector of modern art and a supporter and developer of Canadian theatre productions and emerging visual artists.

He owns and operates Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre, Princess of Wales Theatre, Ed Mirvish Theatre (formerly the Canon Theatre) and Panasonic Theatre. He also operated the renowned Old Vic theatre in London, England.

Mirvish Productions has produced plays and musicals for these and other venues throughout Canada, on Broadway and in London’s West End, and presented more than 500 touring productions in Toronto.

Mirvish ran David Mirvish Gallery, which supported contemporary art and Canadian artists, and operated an art bookstore for 38 years.

He has been named to the Order of Ontario and to the Order of Canada, the country’s highest honour for lifetime achievement, and has received honorary degrees from several universities. He has served as a trustee of the National Gallery of Canada and the Royal Ontario Museum.

He is the son of the late Ed Mirvish, a Toronto businessman and arts patron, and artist Anne Lazare Macklin.

Mirvish is the eighth chancellor since the University’s founding in 1964. He succeeds Pamela Wallin, who served from 2007 to 2011. Guelph’s former chancellors and their years of service are: Lincoln Alexander, 1991-2007; Edmund Bovey, 1989 to 1990; William Stewart, 1983 to 1989; Pauline McGibbon, 1977 to 1983; Emmett Hall, 1971 to 1977; and George Drew, 1965 to 1971.

Never Too Old For Love: Revera Report on Romance Sets the Record Straight About Love As You Age

Love, romance and social activity in later life has important health, quality of life benefits, says expert gerontologist


TORONTO, February 7, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Seniors are setting the record straight - love and romance aren't just for the young, according to the Revera Report on Romance, a new survey by Revera Inc., Canada's leading provider of seniors care and services. Seven-in-ten seniors over age 75 say you are never too old for love and the same amount agree love and romance remains an important aspect of their lives. What's more, senior men are even more in love with love than women, with 83 per cent saying it's important versus 56 per cent of women.

"Seniors' positive outlook on love and romance is encouraging to see because they are both important aspects of social interaction," says Dr. Amy D'Aprix, gerontologist and expert on aging. "What many people don't know, is remaining socially active can have a significant impact on your physical health, and may even help to reduce your risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It's also been shown to have a comparable impact on mortality as smoking and alcohol." She continued, "And of course, there's no question that it also contributes to happiness and emotional health."

It's not just the experts who recognize the importance of socializing as we age — seniors themselves overwhelmingly support the concept. When surveyed, 88 per cent of seniors agree that companionship is something they couldn't do without, and 98 per cent said they thought keeping socially active was as important to successfully aging as good physical health.

Challenging myths

There's a common myth that love, romance and the need for companionship fades as we grow older and this is being perpetuated by the younger generations. In fact, fewer than half (only 38 per cent) of Generation Y and Boomers in the survey predict love and romance will be "very important" when they're over 75, and even fewer think they'll be "very interested" in dating at that age if they didn't already have a partner (8 per cent of Generation Y and 13 per cent of Boomers). In fact, the Revera Report revealed not only that love and romance do remain important for those 75-plus, it also showed just as many seniors have romantic partners as 18 to 30 year olds (approximately half for each group).

Love and romance are also often perceived as more important to women than men. The Revera Report challenges this assumption, with senior men revealing they are even more in love (83 per cent) with love than women (56 per cent). In fact, senior men are nearly twice as likely as women of the same age to say they seek ways to spice up their love lives (56 per cent vs. 29 per cent).

Love at any age

Love and romance are as important today as the day he and his wife Valerie met, according to Mendel, aged 86. Mendel and Valerie met at a dance for new Canadians in Ottawa shortly after the war. After 60 years of marriage, three children and eight grandchildren, Mendel still counts his blessings and believes he's the "luckiest man in the world " because he has "Valerie's love and compassion." The couple lives at Revera's Pine Villa Retirement Residence in Toronto and their romance is still strong. Mendel happily offers that to him, Valerie, aged 82, looks 30 years younger.

"We see every day in our residences the power of positive social interaction, which is an essential part of seniors' health and wellness," said Jeff Lozon, President and CEO, Revera. "Revera is committed to understanding these issues, and to contributing to the dialogue about re-imagining the aging experience for Canadian seniors."

About the Revera Report on Romance

Revera, in partnership with Leger Marketing, surveyed older adults aged 75+, Boomers and Gen Yers, to find out about their expectations and experiences with social interaction as they age, including: love, romance, dating, and companionship. The survey was completed online from September 21, 2011 to October 2, 2011 using Leger Marketing's online panel, LegerWeb, with a sample of 1563 Canadians in the following age groups: 511 Canadians age 18 to 30, 537 Canadians ages 45 to 64; and 515 Canadians age 75+. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of ±2.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20. The Revera Report on Romance is one in a series of reports that will be issued by Revera exploring different topics relevant to the aging experience of Canadian seniors.

About Revera Inc.

Revera is a leading provider of seniors' accommodation, care and services; built on a 50-year history of helping seniors live life to the fullest. Our nearly 30,000 dedicated employees continually strive to serve a diverse group of clients and to offer choices to meet their individual preferences. With 255 sites across Canada and parts of the U.S., we work to enhance lives in our retirement communities, long term care homes, U.S. nursing and rehab centres and through the provision of home health services. Canadian-owned and operated, Revera serves approximately 30,000 clients every day, with the core values of respect, integrity, compassion and excellence at the heart of our business. Find out more about Revera at www.reveraliving.com.

Cure for liver disease is $1million closer

Canadian Liver Foundation announces new research funding for 2012

TORONTO, February 6, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - In a lab somewhere in Canada, the next breakthrough in the fight against liver disease is waiting to be found. The Canadian Liver Foundation (CLF) will bring this breakthrough a step closer by investing $1 million dollars in liver research in 2012. With these funds, 17 researchers - both senior specialists and new investigators - will pursue studies in liver cancer, pediatric liver disease, tyrosinemia and other forms of liver disease.

"In the past 20 years, we have made incredible progress in unlocking the complexities of the liver and the mechanisms of liver disease," says Dr. Eric Yoshida, Chairman of the Canadian Liver Foundation's Medical Advisory Committee. "With hepatitis C for example, we have gone from identifying the virus to being able to cure a large percentage of patients. With enough resources, we can do this with other liver diseases too."

Fatty liver disease linked to obesity is the now the most common form of liver disease in Canada followed by hepatitis B, hepatitis C, autoimmune and alcohol-related liver diseases. An estimated three million Canadians are living with some form of liver disease but may not even be aware of it as symptoms can often be vague or even non-existent until it reaches an advanced stage.

The Canadian Liver Foundation is the largest non-profit funder of liver research in Canada and has invested more than $20 million in research since it was first founded. The Foundation offers funding in three grant categories: Operating grants for senior and new researchers, Graduate studentships for Ph.D. and Masters level researchers and Summer Studentships for undergraduate students. Throughout its history, the CLF has funded 483 researchers at various points in their careers.

"Liver research is chronically underfunded because liver disease is not seen as a priority for governments or individuals," says Dr. Yoshida. "We are grateful to the Foundation's supporters - many of whom have been personally affected by liver disease - who give what they can to keep important research moving forward. The answers we find today will help save lives tomorrow."

The CLF's grant competition is now open with an application deadline of April 2, 2012. To learn more about the CLF's research programs, visit www.liver.ca

Is your home insurance up to date?

TORONTO, February 1, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - After a disaster or burglary would you be able to replace everything, all at once? Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reminds homeowners and tenants to make sure their insurance policies are up to date.

"Often, home insurance policies automatically renew each year and consumers may not even think about what their policies cover," says Doug Noble, Alberta and the North Vice-President, IBC. "But if you've done any renovations, upgraded your furniture or acquired new and expensive electronics or art, it's important to review your home insurance policy."

Homeowners should insure their house according to what it would cost to rebuild in the event that it was destroyed. This amount is called the replacement cost, and is different from the market value or tax assessment value.

"Replacement cost includes things such as debris removal, the price and availability of skilled labour, extra expense due to more demanding building codes, and more," adds Noble. "Upgrades, renovations and other improvements can also make rebuilding a home more expensive than originally estimated, affecting the final replacement cost."

And both homeowners and tenants need to think about what's inside.

"Take an inventory of your stuff," recommends Noble. "A complete inventory of your belongings will help you get the right coverage and make it easier to file a claim."

Consumers can complete a room-by-room inventory of their possessions and find a home assessment checklist here.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada

Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada's home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the private property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 114,000 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $40 billion.

For more information about home insurance and other insurance topics, and to view media releases, visit IBC's website at www.ibc.ca.

Alcohol and your heart: friend or foe?

TORONTO, January 30, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - A meta-analysis done by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) into the relationship between alcohol consumption and heart disease provides new insight into the long-held belief that drinking a glass of red wine a day can help protect against heart disease.

"It's complicated," says Dr. Juergen Rehm, director of social and epidemiological research at CAMH. Dr. Rehm's paper, co-authored by Michael Roerecke, was recently published in the journal Addiction. "While a cardioprotective association between alcohol use and ischaemic heart disease exists, it cannot be assumed for all drinkers, even at low levels of intake," says Dr. Rehm.

Ischaemic heart disease is a common cause of illness and death in the Western world. Symptoms are angina, heart pain, and heart failure. Based on 44 studies, the analyses used 38,627 ischaemic heart disease events (including deaths) among 957,684 people.

"We see substantial variation across studies, in particular for an average consumption of one to two drinks a day," says Dr. Rehm.

The protective association may vary by gender, drinking patterns, and the specific health effects of interest. Differential risk curves were found by sex, with higher risk for morbidity and mortality in women.

Moreover, for any particular individual, the relationship between alcohol consumption and ischemic heart disease should not be isolated from other disease outcomes. Even at low levels, alcohol intake can have a detrimental effect on many other disease outcomes, including on several cancers.

"Even one drink a day increases risk of breast cancer, for example," says Dr. Rehm. "However, with as little as one drink a day, the net effect on mortality is still beneficial. After this, the net risk increases with every drink."

"If someone binge drinks even once a month, any health benefits from light to moderate drinking disappear."

Binge drinking is defined more than four drinks on one occasion for women, and more than five for men.

Given the complex, potentially beneficial or detrimental effects of alcohol on ischaemic heart disease in addition to the detrimental effects on other disease categories, any advice by physicians on individual drinking has to take the individual risk constellation (such as familial predisposition for certain diseases and behavior with respect to other risk factors) into consideration.

"More evidence on the overall benefit-risk ratio of average alcohol consumption in relation to ischaemic heart disease and other diseases is needed in order to inform the general public or physicians about safe or low-risk drinking levels," the study concludes. "Findings from this study support current low-risk drinking guidelines, if these recognize lower drinking limits for women."

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital, as well as one of the world's leading research centres in the area of addiction and mental health. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental health and addiction issues.

CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre.

Ontario Home Care Association applauds Ontario's Action Plan for Health Care

TORONTO, January 31, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Ontario Home Care Association (OHCA) welcomes Ontario's Action Plan for Health Care. Presented by Minister of Health & Long-Term Care Deb Matthews, yesterday at the Toronto Board of Trade, the Plan sets an ambitious goal of making Ontario "the healthiest place in North America". Underpinning the goal is a commitment to relentlessly working to ensuring quality and accountability in health care.

Home care is a key element of the Plan which calls for building the continuum of care in the community, so that there are more options for seniors to get the care they need, outside of hospitals and long-term care. Supporting the home care system will be a Seniors Strategy, three million more hours of Personal Support Worker care, improved access to house calls and telephone consultations from health care professionals and additional support for family caregivers who need time off work to care for loved ones who are ill.

Evidence has demonstrated the potential of home care as a cost effective and care effective strategy to support the frail and vulnerable in their homes and OHCA commends the Minister for taking the necessary steps to tip the balance to the community. As she said in the concluding remarks,

"The reality is that we can't afford to wait. We must be relentless in our pursuit to meet this challenge. Patients are counting on us."

OHCA commits to continuing to work collaboratively with Minister Matthews and all health system partners to provide the right mix of care in order to keep Ontarians safely and independently at home.

About the OHCA

The OHCA, the voice of home care in Ontario, is a membership association representing providers of quality home care services from across Ontario. OHCA members represent an estimated 25,000 staff collectively serving 300,000 Ontarians per year. OHCA works with families as integral partners in the delivery of home care services and estimates that 1.2 million Ontarians are impacted by members. OHCA is dedicated to promoting the growth and development of the home and community health care sector by helping to shape health care policy, supporting members to excel, and being a leading source of information on home and community care. OHCA members are accredited through Accreditation Canada, CARF, and/or registered with the International Standards Association (ISO).

Invisible Healthcare System Taking Toll on Canadian Caregivers

Unpaid, unrecognized caregivers carrying the weight of our aging population

...Half of Canadians do not think they will have the financial means to provide care
...Over one-third of women family caregivers feel overwhelmed emotionally and don't know how to cope
...Only four per cent of Canadians have developed a home care contingency plan

TORONTO, February 1, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - As Canada's healthcare system continues to adapt to a rapidly aging population, a new study released today reveals the effects being felt by family caregivers when it comes to the emotional, physical and financial consequences of taking care of an aging loved one at home.

The study, conducted by We Care Home Health Services, explores the level of preparedness among Canadians in caring for elderly relatives and found the following:

...Over one-third of women caregivers (who Statistics Canada states carry the bulk of caregiving) feel overwhelmed emotionally and don't know how to cope (37 per cent)

...Over half of Canadians (53 per cent) who anticipate caring for a relative in the future do not think they will have the financial means to provide care

...One quarter of women who are currently caring for a loved one do not know where to go for help and feel there is a lack of available resources (26 per cent)

According to We Care, millions of Canadians have taken on the role of family caregiver, a responsibility that can range from helping an elderly parent with day to day tasks, assisting a spouse living with a debilitating chronic illness or helping an aunt or uncle get to and from appointments.

"Family caregivers are part of an invisible healthcare system that has become essential to Canadian society," said Sue Kelly, Registered Nurse and Director of Health and Wellness for We Care Home Health Services. "As the healthcare system moves toward shorter periods of hospitalization and greater integration into the community, family caregivers are being relied on more heavily, yet little has been done to provide them with the support, recognition and respite they need."

With this in mind, We Care has created the Being a Family Caregiver guide, a comprehensive, free resource that was designed to help family caregivers manage the challenges and responsibilities of providing care to a loved one.

With Canada's aging population expected to double in the next 23 years, more and more Canadians will be faced with the responsibility of caring for a loved one. Yet the study showed that Canadians are not prepared for the task at hand:
Over two-thirds (64 per cent) have either done nothing to prepare or know they should be thinking about next steps, but haven't done so yet
Only four per cent have developed a home care contingency plan
A mere 12 per cent have initiated a conversation with their aging loved one

"In many instances, family members find themselves thrust into the position of caregiver without any prior warning, experience, or knowledge of how to navigate the healthcare system," said Kelly. "The results can be completely overwhelming for the caregiver, who will often be so focused on providing care that they forget the need and importance of taking care of themselves."

We Care's new guide provides essential tips on how caregivers can avoid burnout, stress and fatigue. The guide also outlines effective tools that help caregivers walk through various scenarios they may encounter, including how to determine if a loved one needs care, and how to effectively communicate with a loved one when addressing areas that involve changes to their lifestyle or routine.

Ms. Kelly adds that family caregivers are often the first to realize that their loved ones require care, and determining the next steps can be challenging. The study revealed that 19 per cent of Canadians would broach the topic immediately, while 43 per cent would talk with other family members and approach their loved one as a group. When it comes to talking to a loved one about requiring additional assistance, almost one quarter of Canadians think their loved ones would be upset upon first mention, but after some encouraging they would accept the situation.

For more information, or to get a free copy of the Being a Family Caregiver guide, please call 1-855-699-3227 or visit www.wecare.ca

About the survey

From January 13th to January 15th 2012 an online survey was conducted among 1,008 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

About We Care

We Care Home Health Services, a leading national provider of in-home care and support services with over 50 locations across Canada, provides professional and compassionate care that allows seniors and others to live independently in the comfort of their own homes. We Care employs over 3,000 homecare staff and provides care in over 800 communities across Canada, and has received accreditation through Accreditation Canada within all the regions in which it operates in. For more information, call 1-855-699-3227 or visit www.wecare.ca.