The Globe and Mail — For Canadians taking care of aging parents from afar, distance compounds complexity  

When Lisa Paul’s father was in and out of the hospital in early 2025 with kidney cancer and other health issues, she and her brother became the primary contacts for his medical staff. 

Like many Canadians, Ms. Paul is part of the sandwich generation, juggling the responsibilities of not only raising her children, but also caregiving for her own parents. For those who are doing it from a distance – whether from another city, province or country – the logistical complexity adds significant strain to the existing emotional, mental and financial toll. 

“If you’re far away, you’re not just worried about your parent, you’re worried about what you can’t see,” said Liv Mendelsohn, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence.