In the darkest days of the pandemic, the struggles of caregivers and care providers were laid bare for all to see — exposing the need for a new approach to care, and new investment in care infrastructure. The 2024 Federal budget is the latest sign that a care movement is being heard in the highest halls of power. The Federal government’s commitment to a National Caregiving Strategy is the first step towards a brighter future of care.
Across Canada, caregivers — family, neighbours, friends — and care providers like Personal Support Workers are the silent, steady and dependable force keeping our society going. You are likely one of them; one in four Canadians is a caregiver today, and half will be a caregiver for a senior, a person with a disability, or someone struggling with their mental health at some point in our lives. Half of Canadian women are caregivers today.
Caregivers provide three hours of care for every hour provided by the healthcare system and report high and increasing rates of poor mental, physical, and financial health. Many work less than a full-time job or not at all.
Caring in Canada, a new report from the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, confirmed that caregivers and care providers have been struggling. For the two-thirds of caregivers who work, care responsibilities are nearly a full-time job on top of their paid job; caregivers provide an average of 30 hours of care per week. This “extra shift” leaves caregivers overextended and exhausted. A third of caregivers say they have experienced financial hardship because of their responsibilities and out of pocket care expenses. Our economy loses $1.3B when caregivers are left out.
When it comes to paid care providers, four out of five said they considered changing careers, in large part because of low wages and challenging working conditions. The people who care for our loved ones deserve better. Poor supports for care providers has created a workforce shortage that makes it harder for caregivers to access the services they need. Almost two-thirds of caregivers who looked for services said it was difficult to find the help they need in their communities.
Better is possible — for you, for your family, and for millions of caregivers, care providers, and care recipients. Join the Canadian care movement and help drive the transformational change we need and deserve — you can start by taking part in our pan-Canada consultations.
To learn more, visit canadiancaregiving.org.
