West Vancouver’s Raquel Loza recently received an Honour the Caregiver Award.
The Medical Arts Health Research Group asks for nominations from the community for their annual Honour the Caregiver Award program, intended to recognize caregivers, viewed as the unsung heroes in the battle with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a press release. Today, 500,000 Canadians have dementia and more than one million Canadians are caregivers for their family members, said Donna Benson, CEO and founder of the research group, in the release. They work with Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers who participate in clinical research studies and every day see caregivers’ love and selfless acts to help Alzheimer’s patients, she added.
This year, they’re recognizing Loza for her hours of selfless dedication and service to helping Gina Charles. Loza was nominated by Gina’s husband, Chris. In his nomination, Chris wrote, “Raquel not only handles Gina’s personal care but reads to her, jokes with her, plays music and sings with her. She takes Gina for her twice daily walks and from the start, took on the bulk of the housework too. Raquel also ensures I stay healthy by insisting I eat well.”
When Gina faced a serious health challenge in August 2015, Loza stayed at the hospital with Chris every day for six to eight hours.
Chris wrote, “Twice when I couldn’t go, she went with my mum to be with Gina.”
Loza received a plaque and cheque at a ceremony at the research group’s West Vancouver office from Jennifer Jeffrey, site manager.
