Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos
From long-term care to hospitals and home settings, unpaid family caregivers are filling critical gaps in Canada’s healthcare system — often at the cost of their own well-being.
You’ve researched unpaid family caregiving for years. How much does Canada’s healthcare system rely on family caregivers?
More than most people realize, and more than the system has ever properly acknowledged. Family caregivers are essentially the invisible workforce propping up healthcare, especially in long-term care.
This became undeniable during the pandemic. When families were locked out of care homes, we saw just how much they were doing day-to-day. Without them, the system didn’t just struggle, it collapsed in many cases. Residents deteriorated rapidly. Many stopped eating, lost mobility, or experienced cognitive decline.
Families aren’t just visitors. They are providing essential, ongoing care that the system simply doesn’t have the capacity to deliver on its own.
What did COVID-19 reveal about how we treat caregivers and residents in long-term care?
One of the most troubling things was the decision to label family caregivers as “non-essential.” That revealed a fundamental misunderstanding of how care actually works.
In response, advocacy groups pushed for the term “essential care partners”, because that’s what families are. They know their loved ones best. They notice subtle changes. They fill critical care gaps.
When families were allowed back in, outcomes improved almost immediately. Residents stabilized. That alone shows how essential caregivers truly are—not optional, but integral to the care team.
Why does the distinction between a “visitor” and an “essential caregiver” matter so much?
Because it shapes policy, and policy shapes outcomes.
If you treat family as visitors, you exclude them. If you recognize them as essential caregivers, you integrate them into care. That means better communication, better monitoring, and better outcomes for patients.
Right now, we’re dealing with an underfunded system and a shrinking workforce. Burnout among healthcare workers is high, and staffing shortages are real. In that context, excluding family caregivers isn’t just harmful, it’s unsustainable.
Many families feel overwhelmed when caregiving suddenly falls on them. Why are supports so limited?
Because Canada still lacks a comprehensive national caregiving strategy.
Financial supports are inconsistent and often tied to employment or tax systems, which excludes many caregivers (such as youth caregivers). Training is minimal. Respite care is difficult to access and often impractical to arrange.
At the same time, caregiving is highly gendered women are still doing the majority of this work, often on top of full-time jobs. Younger family members are increasingly stepping in as well, which adds pressure across generations.
The reality is that we are relying heavily on unpaid labour without properly supporting it.
What does caregiver burnout look like today?
It’s at a level we’ve never seen before, and it’s getting worse.
Caregivers are sacrificing their physical health, mental health, financial stability, and careers. Many are forced to reduce hours or leave jobs entirely. Others are performing complex medical tasks at home with little to no training.
In extreme cases, burnout can become catastrophic. This isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a systemic failure. When caregivers aren’t supported, everyone suffers, including the person receiving care.
How much of this burnout is driven by gaps in policy and infrastructure?
All of it.
Caring for a loved one will always be emotionally difficult, but with proper support, it can be manageable and incredibly meaningful. Without support, it becomes overwhelming.
We’re seeing governments increasingly shift care into the home without ensuring adequate resources. That often means families are left to figure things out on their own, navigating complex needs with minimal guidance.
That’s not sustainable, and it’s not fair.
What are the biggest misconceptions Canadians have about caregiving?
The biggest one is that caregiving ends once a loved one enters a hospital or long-term care home.
In reality, it doesn’t. Families are still deeply involved, advocating, monitoring, and often providing hands-on care. Many don’t feel comfortable stepping away because they know the system is stretched.
The second misconception is that caregivers are “managing.” In truth, many are struggling quietly, without recognition or support.
What needs to change moving forward?
We need to start by recognizing caregivers as a core part of the healthcare system, not an afterthought. That means:
- Better financial support, including accessible caregiver benefits
- Training and resources for those providing care at home
- Workplace protections and flexibility
- Easier access to respite care
- Stronger integration of caregivers into care teams
Without these changes, the strain on families—and the system—will only intensify.
Supporting caregivers means strengthening Canada’s entire healthcare system. Learn how policy, innovation, and community support can better empower those caring for loved ones across the country.
