Current research findings are consistent: Most Canadians want to stay in their homes in later life, rather than moving to a long-term care facility. What that means, though, is a need for care at home.
While various programs and initiatives are in the works to deliver long-term care services to people in their own residences, the reality is that family members, loved ones and significant others do a lot of the caregiving.
Spouses care for each other through sickness and frailty. Adult children—into their 60s and 70s—care for their parents and elders. At the same time, people in their 50s, 60s and later years care for their adult children and sometimes grandchildren with exceptionalities and health challenges. There’s a toll.
Since May is National Caregiving Month, Liv Mendelsohn, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence answers some questions about the state of caregiving.
What’s the reality for caregivers today?
Caregiving is widespread in Canada. It touches every Canadian family in some way. One in four Canadians is a caregiver today, and half of us will take on that role at some point in our lives.
It spans the full arc of life. A parent caring for a child with a disability. A spouse supporting a partner through illness. An adult child helping a parent age at home. Most people step into caregiving out of love. The challenge is not willingness. It is the lack of meaningful support.
The impact is significant. One in four caregivers reports fair or poor mental health. Nearly half say they feel tired. Many feel worried, anxious, or overwhelmed. Caregivers provide an average of 5.1 hours of care each day, more than 30 hours a week of unpaid labour. It is the equivalent of a part-time job, often layered on top of full-time work and family responsibilities.
Nearly one in five caregivers is over 65. Senior caregivers are the least likely to access supports such as respite or transportation, even as they manage their own aging and health concerns.
Nearly one in five caregivers is over 65.
There is also financial strain. Half of caregivers report financial stress in the past year. Many are spending significant amounts out of pocket or providing direct financial support to the person they care for.
This is a quiet crisis that is becoming more and more visible. It affects families, workplaces, health systems, and our broader economy. Caregiving is essential infrastructure in this country, yet it remains under-recognized and under-supported.
What needs to happen?
The Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence was founded in 2022 by the Azrieli Foundation with a clear vision: To make Canada the best place in the world to give and receive care.
In early 2025, we released A National Caregiving Strategy for Canada, shaped by thousands of caregivers from across the country. It sets out practical, achievable policy solutions, including stronger financial supports, accessible mental health programs, caregiver-friendly workplace policies, better supports for care recipients, and improved wages for paid care providers.
Caregivers have told us what they need. The path forward is clear. What is required now is coordinated action from every order of government.
Is there any good news?
There is real momentum building.
In the 2025 federal election, all major political parties included commitments related to caregivers in their election platforms. That reflects growing awareness that caregiving is not a niche issue. It is a national one. Our government has committed to a National Caregiving Strategy.
We are also seeing action at the provincial level. In 2024, Prince Edward Island introduced a caregiver benefit of up to $1,500 per month. In January, Quebec announced direct funding for some caregivers providing care at home. They join Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador in recognizing the essential role caregivers play.
These are important steps. They show that progress is possible when caregiving is treated as a priority.
What can caregivers do?
Advocacy becomes part of many caregiving journeys, whether that means navigating access to services or calling for broader system change.
We know caregivers are stretched very thin. Our Resources for Caregivers are regionally organized to help people find supports in their local communities more easily. We’ve also supported CAMH to provide free online mindfulness programs for caregivers and care providers.
No one should have to do this alone.
Additional information
Part of our mission is to fill gaps in knowledge related to the experiences of caregivers and paid care providers across Canada. We are thrilled to be releasing our second survey data in May, during National Caregiving Month.
As part of our release, we will be hosting virtual and in-person sessions to share the data and what this means for you. Visit canadiancaregiving.org/events to learn more and register for one of our events.
