“Canada lacks a Comprehensive Approach to Caregiving.” Why caregiving has become both a rewarding and challenging experience

BY MICHAEL THOMAS

Caregivers in Canada are at a breaking point because more than 7.8 million Canadians provide about 5.7 billion unpaid hours of care (4.2% of GDP) to a family member or friend each year. It’s an honourable act but mired by dangerous gaps in the: health, social services, and disability systems.

A paper recently released by the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE) called, “Giving Care: An Approach to a Better Caregiving Landscape in Canada” describes in candid terms the economic, physical, and psychological impacts that care has on family caregivers, as well as care providers and admonishes all levels of government to put caregiving at the top of the political agency.

This report is the first in a series of actions planned by the CCCE to rally support for a countrywide caregiver plan that pushes for meaningful and immediate changes.

Let’s have a look at who the CCCE is and what this group stands for.

The Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence is a new initiative incubated and powered by the Azrieli Foundation. The Foundation has long supported innovative initiatives to improve access to quality care. Following a period of building networks and convening stakeholders, the Centre will become a stand-alone organization.

On their website part of the logo states. “An approach to a better caregiving landscape in Canada.”

Here is a recent quote from a caregiver,

“My time as a caregiver was the most rewarding and harrowing experience of my life. The deep and intimate care I was able to give my father was so important, but I spent so much time and money trying to get the help that it just wasn’t available. I took hits financially and to my health. Sometimes I felt lost and completely disconnected. It’s hard when you can’t see over the horizon. I know we can do better for caregivers.” ~ Caregiver Lethbridge, Alberta, 2022

It can be very easy to dismiss a caregiver as just someone who looks after a family member or friend, but this introduction and definition from the CCCE’s website seem to have nailed it.

Let’s look at what caregiving is.

“Caregiving is both a rewarding and challenging experience for caregivers and care providers. It is carried out by people of all ages, races, and genders, though disproportionately by racialized women.”

“It is providing help to someone who needs it, it can be fulfilling and brings people closer together. This can be especially true when caregivers and care providers offer emotional support to care recipients.”

“Caregiving takes time and effort. Performing such tasks as: changing clothes, providing transportation, managing care networks, and preparing food can be mentally and physically exhausting. The consequences of caregiving, including financial and emotional stress, are often associated with a lack of support.” 

“To properly support caregivers and care providers, public policy needs to consider caregivers and care providers as relevant partners in health and social services. This will require more than just a shift in perspective; it will require bold public policy solutions to address the problems facing caregivers and care providers.” These are just some definitions taken from the CCCE’s website.

According to the CCCE’ 59% of caregivers report needing to take breaks from their responsibilities, and many others report feeling lonely or isolated.

Caregivers who are aiding others can’t spend that energy elsewhere. This does not just affect caregivers, but also the person they are caring for as well.

In Canada, the average caregiver reported spending $5,800 each year on care-related expenses, and 20% of caregivers in Ontario reported taking out a loan or line of credit to pay for caregiving expenses in 2020.

This is just a starting point, caregiving also includes out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel, household-related expenses, or home modifications.

Things in the UK are not much different for caregivers where 39% of caregivers were struggling to make ends meet in 2019.

Here are some of the cracks in the caregiving wall here in Canada:

• Services for caregivers and care recipients are insufficient, fragmented, and difficult to access
• Financial supports are insufficient and ineffectively designed
• The care provider workforce is in crisis
• Support for caregivers does not meet their current and future needs
• Leaves and protections for employed caregivers are inadequate

In conclusion, according to the CCCE, “Canada lacks a comprehensive approach to caregiving.”