Healthy Debate – Canada’s diverse caregiving community in dire need of federal strategy

Caregiving is essential to the fabric of our country, and we share a collective responsibility to recognize and support caregivers. We need a concerted policy response that meets caregivers where they are: the long-term care facility, the group home and at their kitchen tables at 3 a.m. as they frantically search for help.

We need a national caregiving strategy. To be effective, the strategy must include a broad and comprehensive set of policy responses that meet the needs of today and tomorrow:

• Better financial supports, such as tax credits and income replacement for caregivers and people with disabilities.
• Expanded home and community care services.
• Integrated care across services and sectors.
• Policies, benefits and legislation to support flexible work for employed caregivers.
• Better wages and working conditions for care providers.