Who are caregivers providing care for?
Most caregivers provide care for their parents, in-laws or their spouse/partner.
Unpaid caregiving – provided to those with a health condition or aging related needs – is widespread in Canada. Unpaid or informal caregivers provide up to 75% of care for those age 65 and over.
Sun Life wanted to better understand the experiences and needs of Canadians providing unpaid care. To do this, we collaborated with C.A.R.P., a non-profit advocacy group for Canadians aged 45 and older. Together, we undertook a national survey of C.A.R.P. members in June 2021.
Here are some key highlights of the joint research report:
Most caregivers provide care for their parents, in-laws or their spouse/partner.
74% of women caregivers reported being overwhelmed:
Over 40% of caregivers aged 45-64 had given up employment, or are considering it. And a majority of working caregivers (67%) said their caregiving role made it challenging to be productive at work.
You can download the full joint research report here. It provides a snapshot of the impacts on caregivers in Canada. It also highlights the ways that employers and governments can better support caregivers in this valuable role.