VICTORIA, BC, August 18, 2009 – A generous $50,000 donation from the South Victoria Home Care Society is enabling the Saint Elizabeth Health Care Foundation to establish its signature Caregiver Support Program in Victoria, BC. The charitable program, which will be delivered by ElderSafe Support Services, provides essential care, training and support free of charge to overburdened family caregivers.

Over three million Canadians are now caring for an elderly, chronically ill or dying relative at home. According to the Canadian Health Consumer Survey (2009), the average caregiver spent 20 hours a week caring for four years, with 25 per cent of caregivers spending 40 hours a week. One in four caregivers has no help; one in four has paid help; and 61 per cent need more help.

“Canada is experiencing a serious eldercare crunch, which is putting caregivers under
tremendous strain and taking a toll on the physical, emotional and financial health of families,” says Dr. Joan Lesmond, executive director of the Foundation. “With the support of the South Victoria Home Care Society, we are thrilled to be answering the call for increased resources by extending this innovative and highly successful charitable program to the local community.”

Since developing and launching the Caregiver Support Program in 2002, the Saint Elizabeth Health Care Foundation has provided more than 38,000 hours of charitable respite care free of charge to families in need. Caregivers rate the program very highly: 92% are satisfied with the overall program; 96% indicate that the services make a difference in their quality of life; and, 92% agree the program meets their requested needs. Anez Hezlop, president of the Board and a founding member of the South Victoria Home Care Society, states: “In keeping with our mission to serve the needs of the local community, the Caregiver Support Program provided the opportunity to donate funds to a program providing direct services and to introduce this worthwhile program to Victoria through a non-profit agency, ElderSafe Support Services.”

In addition to Victoria, the Caregiver Support Program is also offered in 12 regions throughout Ontario. According to Lesmond, donations from caring organizations such as the South Victoria Home Care Society make continued expansion possible. 

ABOUT SAINT ELIZABETH HEALTH CARE
Saint Elizabeth Health Care has been an active participant in the development and delivery of community health care since 1908. Today, an award-winning organization and not-for-profit charitable leader, Saint Elizabeth Health Care employs nearly 4,000 multidisciplinary staff, shares its knowledge nationally and internationally through consultation, knowledge exchange products and services, and delivers 3.3 million home-care visits a year. ElderSafe Support Services, a division of SEHC, is one of the fastest-growing full service home care companies in Canada. For more information, visit www.saintelizabeth.com or www.eldersafe.com.

ABOUT SAINT ELIZABETH HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION
To help lead community health care into the 21st century, Saint Elizabeth Health Care
Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for the advancement of knowledge and charitable initiatives in home and community care. We are especially interested in funding and promoting programs that assist individuals and families in maximizing their health and quality of life. The Foundation received the Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the Ontario Palliative Care Association in 2000 and again in 2009, in recognition of its record of exceptional generosity of financial support, outstanding civic and philanthropic leadership in the true spirit of hospice palliative care in Ontario.

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For more information, please contact:
Kim Duffus, Regional Director – BC
(250) 888-7119 or kimduffus@saintelizabeth.com

Madonna Gallo, Corporate Communications Manager
(416) 882-7930 or mgallo@saintelizabeth.com