Throughout Caregiver Awareness Month in May, Family and Friend Caregiver Support Programs across the province celebrated family and friend caregivers in their communities. Here are just a few of the festivities that took place!
Lake Country:
The Family and Friend Caregiver Support Program in Lake Country hosted a special CAM celebration gathering for their local caregivers in Lake Country & Vernon. Gift bags for the caregivers were made by a volunteer from a local community group of women called “Life After Laundry”, who also supplied money for the coffee and tea for the event. The local IGA donated baked goods for the event, and two volunteers helped to set up and serve the desserts at the event on May 18. The District of Lake Country donated the space used for this special event.
DiverseCITY (Surrey):
The DIVERSEcity Newcomer Family and Friend Caregiver Support Program also recognized and thanked the humble heroes who do so much to keep their families and communities strong. The program hosted a special caregivers celebration event, providing an opportunity to raise awareness of caregiving issues, educate communities, and increase support for caregivers. Fun, entertainment, and laughter were part of this event, too! The day was a huge success, with participants enjoying different activities and delicious food, all with a smile on their faces.
Abbotsford Association for Healthy Aging
To honour local caregivers for Caregiver Awareness Month, the Abbotsford Association for Healthy Aging partnered with local spas: European Day Spa & Salon, HoangLinh Day Spa, JJ Nails Spa, and Pinkies Nail Studio, to provide our registered caregivers with a “five senses kit” to use at home and spa gift certificates to use when not caregiving.
The organization wanted to encourage our caregivers to take some time to themselves, to breathe, and have a moment where they could care for themselves.
Caregiver Network for East Kootenay Seniors
The Caregiver Network for East Kootenay Seniors set up an information table at the Invermere Hospital for 3 days to promote its services and to reach out to primary care providers. During this time, they handed out print materials and educational resources to hospital staff working with seniors. These table events took place across the East Kootenay throughout May, including in Creston, Cranbrook, Invermere and Golden.
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Thank you to these organizations for all you do to support caregivers, and to all the other wonderful family and friend caregiver support programs across BC!