WINNIPEG – Dozens showed up to the Caboto Centre in Winnipeg Monday night to recognize the unsung heroes of people’s families — the caregivers.
The event, hosted by Comforts of Home, also was an opportunity to raise awareness about a growing segment of the population that often doesn’t get credit for its work.
“They’re such noble people. They tend to put themselves last and they don’t take care of themselves,” said Katherine Peters, CEO of Comforts of Home and a caregiver herself. “We can encourage people we know who care for other people, we can encourage them to take a day, to come to an event like this and just really let loose and enjoy themselves.”
Besides entertainment and food, experts were available to give advice to caregivers who might need help finding government resources. It was also an opportunity for caregivers to be around others they can relate to.
“There is that element of isolation,” said Susana Scott, a caregiver and founder of Brematson and Assoc., an advocacy group. “However, there is that positive side: the rewards of bonding with the person you’re helping and seeing the benefits of being in that person’s life and helping them, whatever aspect that may be.”
One in three Manitobans is a caregiver, which is higher than the national average. And many of these people are in the “sandwich” generation, meaning they look after both their children and their aging parents.
Manitoba is the only province to have an act recognizing unpaid family caregivers. April 1 is Caregiver Recognition Day.
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