Seniors Care Providers Day
The Province of British Columbia has declared February 26th is now a recognized as Seniors Care Providers Day as a meaningful acknowledgement of the thousands of dedicated professionals who support older adults across our province each and every day.
This is certainly well deserved and long overdue.
They are often working in aging buildings that are no longer suitable for the care that they strive to provide.
Just as importantly the buildings are not capable of creating an environment that our seniors deserve to thrive and enjoy their their final years.
Outside of this sector there is a far larger number of caregivers, the thousands of unpaid care providers that need more tangible recognition and support by our government.
Their numbers includes intergenerational family members and friends and neighbours, predominantly women.
Within the family setup it works in two ways. There are children and grandchildren providing care and support to parents and grandparents and parents doing the same for children and grandchildren.
They are not only unpaid but are often under incredible financial physical and mental stress providing this care care to the detriment their own lives.
Without their love and devotion tens of thousands of seniors and others would be unable to continue living at home. This would lead the total collapse of our health care system.
These unsung heroes are not looking for recognition but they deserve our support.
Roy Summerhayes
Seniors 101.