FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2025
Victoria-Based Caregiver Support Organization Takes the Global Stage in Lisbon
Victoria, BC – Family Caregivers of British Columbia (FCBC) is proud to announce that its groundbreaking Caregiver Rx Program will be featured on the international stage this May at the International Conference on Integrated Care (ICIC25) in Lisbon, Portugal.
The interactive workshop, titled “Strengthening Integrated and Triadic Care through Social Prescribing: Insights from the Caregiver Rx Program in British Columbia,” will explore how BC is leading the way in caregiver identification and inclusion through one of Canada’s first social prescribing initiatives tailored specifically for family and friend caregivers.
“This opportunity allows us to showcase the power of co-design and partnership between caregivers, healthcare providers, and communities,” says Barb MacLean, Executive Director at FCBC. “It’s time to recognize caregivers as partners in care; not just invisible supports behind the scenes.”
Also attending ICIC25 is the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE), a national partner and advocate in advancing the caregiver agenda. Their participation reinforces the growing recognition of the vital role caregivers play in Canada’s healthcare systems and the need for integrated, scalable solutions.
The Caregiver Rx Program, developed and led by FCBC, addresses a long-standing gap in Canada’s healthcare system: the under-identification of family caregivers and the lack of formal pathways for caregiver support. Through digital referral tools, healthcare provider training, and community partnerships, the program has resulted in a 150% year-over-year increase in caregiver referrals to support services. The program’s success highlights how small innovations, when co-created with caregivers and embedded into healthcare systems, can drive large-scale change.
This work has been made possible through the generous support of the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, a program of the Azrieli Foundation, Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation, and the BC Ministry of Health.
The conference workshop will be held on May 14, 2025, with attendees from across Europe, North America, and beyond, including healthcare professionals, policy leaders, researchers, and caregiver advocates.
Media Contact:
- Christine Savard – Communications and Marketing Lead, Family Caregivers of BC
- E. comms@familycaregiversbc.ca | T. 250-858-8523
- www.familycaregiversbc.ca