Toronto Community Care Access Centre Awards Selfless Caregivers

Unsung caregiving heroes honoured at awards ceremony

TORONTO, May 29, 2014 /CNW/ - Over 100 unsung caregiving heroes from all walks of life were honoured in an awards ceremony in Toronto this past Tuesday. Recipients of the Heroes in the Home Caregiver Awards, honoured by the Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre (CCAC), were celebrated in an event that recognized the selfless acts of both paid and unpaid caregivers. Held at St. Paul's Church in Toronto, the event was an opportunity to highlight the incredible acts of selflessness and support these caregivers are providing to those in need.

"Every day, thousands of Torontonians selflessly give of themselves to support their family, friends and neighbours to live and age in their communities," said Stacey Daub, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre. "These unsung heroes so deserve this recognition for their incredible kindness and compassion. The Heroes in the Home Awards celebration is our opportunity to give back to them and to say 'thank-you' for the difference that they're making in our community."

During the awards ceremony caregivers were called up on stage and were presented with a Heroes in the Home Awards certificate by Daub. With friends, family members and loved ones in the audience, these caregivers were given the recognition and appreciation that they deserved. Amidst many tears, much laughter and considerable gratitude, these heroes were given their dues and thanked for the work that they have done as caregivers The stories provided both inspiration and gratitude amongst those in the audience. The caregivers awarded ranged from friends, neighbours and spouses to family members and medical professionals as well. The recipients ranged in age from young teen caregivers to elderly seniors. According to a 2012 Statistics Canada survey, 28 per cent of Canadians were found to be caregiving a family member or friend with a long-term health condition, disability or aging need.

The Heroes in the Home ceremony highlights Toronto Central CCAC's 50 years of providing home care within the city. Since 1964, and in partnership with many selfless caregivers, the organization has provided countless hours of support, care and kindness to some of the most vulnerable members of our society. The 50 year anniversary of CCAC's community involvement was underscored by the many recipients honoured at the caregiving awards event last night. The event sponsors included McMillan, The Fifth Story and HIROC with in-kind sponsorships provided by The Fairmont Royal York, FedEx, Metroland Media and Imperial Coffee and Services. For more information on Toronto Community Care Access Centre, visit www.healthcareathome.ca and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAtKFBXeTMQ&feature=youtu.be

About Toronto Central CCAC

Toronto Central CCAC connects people across Toronto with quality in-home and community-based health care. We provide information, direct access to qualified care providers and community-based services to help people come home from hospital or live independently at home. In any given month we serve a population of nearly 1.5 million residents of the Toronto area with their care  needs in the community. In any given month, we support:

• More than 19,000 people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds
• 1,700 kids getting support at their schools
• 400 adults receiving rehabilitation services
• 23,000 information and referral inquiries
• The transition to a long-term care home for 240 clients
• 600 individuals to die at home with dignity
• Saving 1000s of hospital days by transitioning 7,000 clients home for care
• For more information go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAtKFBXeTMQ&feature=youtu.be

Image with caption: "Caregiver Shahsultan Peera accepts her award in the company of family and friends at the Heroes in the Home Ceremony presented by Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. (CNW Group/Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140529_C2163_PHOTO_EN_2346.jpg

SOURCE: Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre

For further information: MEDIA CONTACT: Julia Oosterman, [email protected], [phone] X2656, Cell: [phone]