CANADA: Caregivers Welcome Help for Seniors Home Care

MONTREAL, CANADA (CBC News), November 10, 2005: People who take care of elderly relatives say the province has taken a positive step towards helping seniors. Quebec Health Minister Philippe Couillard announced earlier this week the province plans to offer more services to seniors who live at home. The province will focus on helping more elderly people spend their final days at home, instead of in long-term care facilities. Gloria Freedman's mother Gilda, 87, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease ten years ago. Since then, it's been up to her daughter to take care of her, and Freedman says it's been extremely difficult. She's happy to hear Couillard's news. "I'm glad that he's finally understanding the crisis that caregivers are going under. Whatever's done has to be better than what's done now. How do I feel? I feel relieved that someone's recognizing this plight that we're under," Freedman says. In fact, Freedman wishes there was more support for caregivers like her. "It would have certainly relieved constant stress. Extra stress to the point where it was so overwhelming, I was ready to break down and cry," Freedman admits. Donna Farmer says Freedman is not alone. Farmer also looks after her mother, and works with several caregiver advocacy groups. She says many caregivers suffer from burnout. Farmer is hoping that Quebec Health Minister Philippe Couillard sets up a network to support their needs. "Whereas other professions can take a breather, a weekend, come home at night...very often, the caregiver doesn't. They continue their work at night, and they only have four hours off a week," Farmer says. Farmer says the government also needs to offer financial support to caregivers. If not, she says many won't be able to afford to look after their loved ones.