April 4, 2017 12:00 P.M.Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Today, Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, issued the following statement:
"Today -- on National Family Caregiver Day -- I want to thank each caregiver across Ontario for the work they do every day to care for their loved ones.
A caregiver is someone who takes on the unpaid role of helping a family member or loved one with their physical or cognitive condition, injury or chronic life-limiting illness.
Improving care at home and in the community is one of our government's most important health care priorities. Informal caregivers, like family members and friends, contribute to more than 70 per cent of their loved ones' caregiving needs, and we know how stressful that can be. As Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, I want to ensure caregivers are supported and able to take rests from providing care to their loved ones.
Last year, our government provided approximately 600,000 additional hours of respite services for caregivers across the province, to give caregivers a well-earned break from doing the work of caring for a loved one. This investment is part of Ontario's Patients First: Roadmap to Strengthen Home and Community Care.
Our government is committed to continuing to improve supports for caregivers and help make their lives easier."