RANKIN INLET - A special day was held this past month to acknowledge the efforts of home and community care workers across Nunavut.

Rankin Inlet home care nurse Anna Lobo said her department has 37 clients who are visited regularly and seven others who receive home support only.

She said many people don't realize that home and community care employs the largest number of Inuit in the entire Department of Health and Social Services.

"They have been doing a really good job and the home care program is running quite well in Kivalliq and the rest of Nunavut due to the efforts of these workers," said Lobo.

"The special day was held to acknowledge that effort.

"Each of the workers will also receive a special certificate of appreciation this coming month from the health minister."

Lobo said when the idea of appreciation day first came about, she was told she could do whatever she wanted to acknowledge the effort of her workers to help keep their spirits high.

She decided since she holds a tea party every month for the elders, she'd combine the two into one special event.

"I decided to club our monthly tea party with the appreciation day so we could have some elders who are being looked after by home and community care workers and our staff all together to celebrate.

"We played some games, had tea and snacks and everyone left happy.

"It was a good afternoon."

Lobo said each home care worker receives orientation and training before beginning their job.

She said additional, ongoing training is provided every month to keep them as updated as possible.

"It's important for our workers to feel appreciated for who they are because then their self-esteem goes up and they bring that to their job.

"A successful home care worker has to have patience and compassion, and be flexible or adaptable for each client they care for.

"Most of our clients expect punctuality, so that's also quite important.

"It's a job of caring and our staff here in Rankin do it quite well."