Issue #21: Family Caregiver Supports

Family caregivers need greater support, assistance, and relief in order to continue to provide the almost 75% of all seniors’ care in Canada. This is especially true as the population ages and more care will need to be provided by relatively fewer people.

Recommendation #70: Essential Caregiver Program

Ask Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments to work with stakeholders to define, develop, and implement national standards for an Essential Caregiver Program for Seniors. This Essential Caregiver Program can be scaled up from the Ontario Caregiver Organizations’ pilot program, which defines essential caregiving, establishes training standards, and supports a caregiver ID program.

Recommendation #71: Change the Caregiver Tax Credit to a Refundable Tax Credit

Amend the federal Canada Caregiver Tax Credit to become a refundable tax credit from its current earned tax credit requirement. Many caregivers are not in the paid workforce, because they are at home providing needed care. This particularly negatively impacts women who disproportionately provide the bulk of unpaid care in Canada.

Recommendation #72: Community Adult Care Hubs and Increased Respite Care Services

Create Community Adult Care Hubs which bring together respite supports, adult day programs, and childcare to support people of all abilities and build intergenerational and inclusive communities. Respite supports should include affordable options for hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly respite care, including overnight care.

Recipe for long-term care

• National Quality Standards
• National Regulator
• Federal and Provincial Funding Increases
• Staffing Reform
• Infrastructure Funding and Upgrades
• Emotion-Focused Care Models
• Infection Controls and Vaccines