When a friend or loved one is facing a health or medical crisis, many of us want to help but aren’t always sure how. Some of us hesitate because we’re concerned we’ll be asked to do something we’re not necessarily comfortable doing.
ShareTheCaregiving’s Share The Care™ is a caregiving model that shows how ordinary people can pool their talents, time and resources to assist a friend or loved one facing a health or medical crisis.
“Being part of a caregiving group can be a truly rewarding experience,” says Anne Marie Madziak, a past member of two such groups. “Share The Care™ turns offers of ‘What can I do to help?’ into positive action.”
It’s an approach that can help regardless of the situation - whether the person is in need of short-term rehabilitation, suffering from long-term or terminal illness, or is just facing the increased difficulties associated with aging. Developed in the U.S., Share The Care™ has been endorsed by the ALS Association and the National Family Caregiver Association.
The South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) is funding an eighteen-month campaign to make caregivers in this region aware of this powerful model.
A Campaign Coordinator is being hired to lead a focused effort to encourage the creation of Share The Care™ groups across South West Ontario. The Coordinator will work with a volunteer Campaign Team made up of health care providers, community groups, and individuals who have personal experience with caring for a loved one or friend.
“We’re excited to be part of this initiative,” says Paul Cavanagh, Director of the South West End-of-Life Care Network. “Caregiving can be a lonely job. Share The Care™ shows us that help isn’t as far away as we sometimes think it is.”
An online resource is being launched to support the campaign. The South West Caregiver Exchange will be a “mini-site,” part of www.thehealthline.ca, the South West’s trusted source of up-to-the-minute information about health and social services.
For more information, contact:
Paul Cavanagh
Paul.Cavanagh@sw.ccac-ont.ca
Or visit:
www.sharethecare.org