Caregivers
The
mission statement of the MS Society of Canada is comprehensive
in scope and the phrase “enabling people affected by
MS to enhance their quality of life” includes caregivers
of persons with MS. The philosophy of client services
endorsed by the National Executive Committee of the MS Society
of Canada in March 2004 identifies caregivers of people with
MS as primary clients of its services and programs.
To fulfill its mission with respect to caregivers,
the MS Society of Canada affirms that:
- The Society recognizes and affirms caregivers for their
self-declaration of that role at any point along a spectrum
of care for the person with MS.
- The
Society will assist people in identifying and describing
their caregiving role and, once recognized, the Society will
affirm the value of that role in the context of the caregiver’s
relationship to the person with MS, other family and friends,
and within the broader context of their community.
- Support
for a caregiver often brings an enhanced quality of life
not only to the caregiver, but also to the person with
MS and others in the family or immediate support/social
network. Thus, the Society will support caregivers
in a manner that acknowledges the importance of maintaining
caregivers’ own health and quality of life for their
own sake while also being aware of the potential, related
benefits to people with MS and others.
To read more about our mission, please click on the plus sign 
- The application of resources allocated in support of caregivers
must be directed to caregiver-valued supports and caregiver-identified
needs.
- The voice and choice of the caregiver must be heard, respected
and addressed.
- The Society will interact with caregivers in a manner which
is flexible and sustainable, and balanced with the needs
of other primary clients in terms of services and research.
- The
Society’s approach to caregiver support will
incorporate services and programs with the potential for
relatively equitable implementation by chapters and/or divisions
across the country based on local needs and resources.
- In all programs and services offered for caregivers, the Framework
for Client Services will be applied.
The
MS Society has formed a National Caregiver Advisory Group
to advance the support of caregivers of people with MS within
the MS Society of Canada. The advisory group will represent
the varied stakeholders who are interested in and or will be
affected by the implementation of the MS Society of Canada’s Strategy
for Supporting Caregivers of People with MS (2005). The
advisory group will conduct its work between summer 2006 and
April 2009. At the end of this time the group will make recommendations
regarding the necessary next steps to the National Board of
Directors.
The
representative for Alberta & Northwest Territories Division is Bev Babuk, Client
Services Coordinator at Calgary Chapter. The National Government
Relations representative is Michelle Kristinson, Director,
Government & Community
Relations, Calgary Chapter / Alberta & Northwest Territories Division.
Policy Related Initiatives:
The
MS Society of Canada is a member of the Canadian Caregiver
Coalition (CCC). As well the Director, Government & Community
Relations for Calgary Chapter/Alberta & Northwest Territories Division is a member
of the CCC Board of Directors.
The
Canadian Caregiver Coalition is the national body representing
and promoting the voice, needs and interests of family caregivers
with all levels of government, and the community through:
- Policy
development and leadership
- Research
and education
- Information,
communication and resource development
The Canadian Caregiver Coalition is made up of a diverse group
of individuals and organizations. Individual members include
caregivers, researchers, and professional service providers.
Organizational members are national, regional and local. Some
exist to provide support directly to caregivers; others, like
the Alzheimer Society of Canada, VON Canada and the MS Society
of Canada have an interest in caregiver issues because of the
work they do.
For
more information about the work of the CCC please visit: www.ccc-ccan.ca
For
more information, contact:
Julie Kelndorfer, Director, Government & Community
Relations
780-440-8756
julie.kelndorfer@mssociety.ca
