Care for caregivers

Re: Applaud, but give caregivers more support — April 22

As caregivers, we need to speak up — April 27

I was interested in reading the column “Applaud, but give caregivers more support,” which was then followed several days later by the column “As caregivers, we need to speak up.” The first column asked the question “so what do caregivers want?” and continued, “What caregivers need are accessible services for the person they’re caring for; when they need them.”

In 2010, I created a program based on the book A Caregiver’s Guide, written by members of the Order of St. Lazarus, which I used to give out to hospices. While doing this, what I learned was it was far

too late for them to use the book. In some cases, caregivers need care years before end of life.

As a physical educationist, I wanted a holistic approach to caring for the caregiver, and there are millions of them in Canada. The overall goals of the St. John Ambulance Home Caregiver Support Program are to train, educate, peer mentor and provide respite care to home caregivers who are providing ongoing care without remuneration, for an individual who needs care because of a physical, cognitive or mental condition. Caregivers can include other family members, partners, parents, children and close friends. Tony Lea, CStJ, MA, B.Ed. (Hons) Executive director, St. John Ambulance — Kitchener-Waterloo Branch Kitchener