Family Caregiver Support is holding a reception for the Family Caregivers Support Circle Pilot Project on this Wednesday, Dec 15 at Duncan United Church, Burns Hall from 3 p.m. to 4:30pm.
This project is the first of its kind in Canada and wil1 run for two years beginning January 2000. It is funded from community donations and grants from the Vancouver Foundation and the Regional Health Board (RHB).
Grant Roberge, Chief Executive Officer of the Central Vancouver Island Health Region, Lois Rancier, Director Community Care Services for the area, Richard Hughes, Regional Director, Cobble Hill, representatives of the Duncan Lions Club and South Cowichan Rotary Club, staff from many service organizations and caregivers will be attending.
The project aims to build a circle of support around a caregiver and the one cared for. Eighty per cent of elder- care is done by family caregivers. With the number ofelderly people in the area increasing, it is essential to the health care system that there is support for the people who are caring for them. Also, caregivers give up their own activities and even jobs to give service to their families and community.