In Canada, family caregivers play a critical role in providing care to loved ones who are ill, elderly or disabled. These caregivers provide a range of services including personal care, transportation, medical care, emotional support and more. In fact, caregivers spend 5.7 billion hours supporting others every year, valued at $97.1B Despite this critical role, family caregivers often go unrecognized and […]
Continuing care in Canada refers to the range of services and supports that are provided to seniors and individuals with chronic or complex health conditions, disabilities, or other ongoing care needs. Family caregivers play a critical role in supporting their loved ones who require continuing care. While continuing care can be a lifeline for families […]
Nearly eight million Canadians ages 15 and older are caregivers for a family member or friend. Like many other caregivers of any age, they provide this support out of love, compassion, and a sense of responsibility. However, their contributions, experiences and needs are often overlooked in conversations about caregiving in this country. Some refer to […]
You’ve probably heard that being a family caregiver is one of the greatest acts of love and kindness. It can be extremely rewarding, including helping to prolong a close parent-child bond and setting an example for the next generation. Unfortunately, caregiving can also be fraught with unpredictability, anxiety, guilt, hopelessness, and financial burden. Added together, […]
In Canada, there are currently more than seven million people aged 65 and older. It is the fastest-growing demographic in the country. Millions of seniors — and the organizations that serve them — rely on volunteers. In 2018, more than 24 million Canadians aged 15 and older volunteered, giving about five billion hours to their […]
One of the biggest concerns for family caregivers is feeling overlooked, demeaned, or dismissed in care settings. While they often have first-hand knowledge of their loved ones’ needs, they find that their contributions to care discussions are not valued. The good news is that there is growing awareness of the need to include family caregivers […]
Caregivers and the Healthcare System. How family caregivers feel about the relationship Caregivers’ relationship with the healthcare system has long been challenging. Although their role often requires them to help the person they are caring for navigate health systems, they usually find themselves marginalized. A study published in the journal BMC Geriatrics titled “Caregiving is like on the job training […]
Why It’s Important to Increase Caregivers’ Networks Unpaid labour by family caregivers saves taxpayers about $30 billion annually, according to the CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons). But while caregivers are providing invaluable support to family members and other loved ones, society is not supporting them in return. Numerous studies highlight the lack of […]
Caregivers are Essential Partners in Care. Let’s Treat Them That Way. It’s difficult to imagine how nearly 25 percent of the Canadian population has been so overlooked for so long. That figure — or 7.8 million people — represents how many family caregivers there are among people aged 15 and older in Canada. On a […]