Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program
Caregivers are a pivotal part of our broader health care system. Through their efforts and dedication, caregivers help to ensure loved ones, friends and neighbours can safely remain at home.
To coincide with National Caregiver Day, the Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program was established to recognize, celebrate and support caregivers who make it possible for people to live their lives in their communities despite the impacts of age, illness or disability.
On April 7, in celebration of National Caregiver Day, we honoured more than 120 caregivers from across the province at our fourth annual Above and Beyond Caregiver (ABC) Recognition event. Together with staff, volunteers and families who joined, we worked to ensure each caregiver felt seen, heard and appreciated.
Caregivers — whether family members, friends or neighbours — make our work possible. Their dedication and resilience support the thousands of patients we serve ensuring they can receive care at home — wherever that may be.
As part of the online Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Event, 13 caregivers were given special recognition under the following six categories.
2026 Above and Beyond Caregiver Recipients
View the Event Brochure(opens in a new tab)
Event recording coming soon.
| Category | Criteria | Recipients |
|---|---|---|
| Caring and Sharing |
This caregiver provides support to their loved one while sharing their knowledge and experience to help and inspire others. |
Alicia Horne, Stratford |
| Caring With Courage |
Through encouragement, empowerment and support, this caregiver has directly brought about positive change to their loved one’s quality of life. |
Isabel de Sousa, Maple Heather, Sault Ste. Marie Syed and Sakina Mehdi, Scarborough |
| Partner in Care |
This caregiving partner has provided long-standing and continued support to their loved one(s). |
Sue and David Lovell, New Lowell Deanne Graham and Michele Waterworth, Peterborough |
| Caregiver Innovation |
This caregiver uses innovative and creative strategies to support their loved one(s). |
Avi Parmar, Maple |
| Caregiver Resilience |
While navigating loss and grief following the end-of-life care provided to their loved one, this caregiver’s resiliency may provide inspiration and comfort to others. |
Debra and Mike Sharpe, St. Catharines |
| Young Caregiver |
This caregiver, under the age of 30, has gone above and beyond to support the needs of a loved one. |
Ana Sami, Toronto |
Recognition Criteria
To take part in the Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program, caregivers must meet the following criteria.
- The caregiver(s) lives in Ontario and is providing care to a patient who has recently received, or is currently receiving, services through Ontario Health atHome (formerly Home and Community Care Support Services).
- The caregiver is not a paid or registered volunteer
Previous Event Materials
- Visit our Previous Events to read the inspirational caregiver stories from our past events.
More Information
If you have any questions regarding the Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program or Event, please contact the Community Engagement Team at engagement@ontariohealthathome.ca or call 1-855-276-3096.
For all media-related enquiries, please contact media@ontariohealthathome.ca.
Interested in getting involved as a Community Advisor? We are always looking for patients, family members and caregivers with recent home and community care experience and an interest in sharing their time, experience and insights to help shape and improve care. Learn about Community Engagement »
