Written by Amy Stephenson, Caregiver Wellness Coordinator
Despite the prevalence of informal caregiving, many people do not recognize the role of unpaid and/or family caregivers in our communities. Often people find themselves gradually taking on these roles, as they pick up caregiving duties without even realizing they are . For many, being an informal caregiver means being a good child, spouse, cousin, or friend. However, not recognizing the role makes caregivers more vulnerable to burnout and the potential for decreased wellbeing significantly increases. Over the past two years, informal caregivers have played an even more prominent role. During COVID-19, many support services were put on pause in an effort to reduce exposure, providers and/or those receiving care made the difficult decision to reduce or stop in-person services. Without external support, informal caregivers were left to fill in the gaps. This has led to increases in the number of people acting as informal caregivers and the hours of support provided by this group has been magnified. In Canada alone, informal caregivers provide 28.5 billion dollars worth of care annually which is one of many reasons why it is so important to acknowledge the role that informal caregivers play.
April 5th, 2022, is Caregiver Appreciation day! It is the perfect reminder to recognize the efforts of the informal caregivers in our communities and to raise awareness for their support.
Caregiving can be a few hours a week or a full-time job supporting a loved one 24/7. The most common support provided is transportation, scheduling appointments, housework and/or home maintenance. For some it can mean performing medical tasks, even those usually done by professionals.
There are also many faces to caregivers in Ontario. Approximately 18% of caregivers are under 25 years old and are considered young caregivers. This amounts to 500,000 Ontarian youth. Young caregivers may support their siblings, other relatives, or friends. Balancing caregiving responsibilities with school and other duties can increase social isolation, anger, loneliness and grief for these caregivers. Many in the role feel as though they have to grow up faster than their peers, and believe thatthey don’t have the same opportunities to be a kid. A further challenge comes if their contributions are not recognized by those around them. Others in the circle of care may not recognize the impact that caring has on their lives. This comes in part with the assumptions that they are not affected by caregiving, as they are often not the primary caregiver. But supporting the primary caregiver and care receiver in other ways, does have an impact.
Another large group of informal caregivers has come to be known as the “sandwich generation.” These caregivers are supporting aging parents and children at home, undertaking caring duties on all sides. The pressure for this group is particularly strong as many are active members of the workforce. Interestingly, approximately 35% of the Canadian workforce is balancing caregiving with professional duties which adds to an already full plate. This difficult balancing act can put these caregivers' wellbeing at risk. Frequently working caregivers need to adjust their hours, schedules, and/or positions in order to maintain their caregiving duties. These costs are hard to measure but undoubtedly add to the cost of caregiving on individuals and the economy as a whole. A 2020 report found that informal caregivers report financial support as their most common need.
April 5th, 2022, is Caregiver Appreciation day! It is the perfect reminder to recognize the efforts of the informal caregivers in our communities and to raise awareness for their support.
Caregiving can be a few hours a week or a full-time job supporting a loved one 24/7. The most common support provided is transportation, scheduling appointments, housework and/or home maintenance. For some it can mean performing medical tasks, even those usually done by professionals.
There are also many faces to caregivers in Ontario. Approximately 18% of caregivers are under 25 years old and are considered young caregivers. This amounts to 500,000 Ontarian youth. Young caregivers may support their siblings, other relatives, or friends. Balancing caregiving responsibilities with school and other duties can increase social isolation, anger, loneliness and grief for these caregivers. Many in the role feel as though they have to grow up faster than their peers, and believe thatthey don’t have the same opportunities to be a kid. A further challenge comes if their contributions are not recognized by those around them. Others in the circle of care may not recognize the impact that caring has on their lives. This comes in part with the assumptions that they are not affected by caregiving, as they are often not the primary caregiver. But supporting the primary caregiver and care receiver in other ways, does have an impact.
Another large group of informal caregivers has come to be known as the “sandwich generation.” These caregivers are supporting aging parents and children at home, undertaking caring duties on all sides. The pressure for this group is particularly strong as many are active members of the workforce. Interestingly, approximately 35% of the Canadian workforce is balancing caregiving with professional duties which adds to an already full plate. This difficult balancing act can put these caregivers' wellbeing at risk. Frequently working caregivers need to adjust their hours, schedules, and/or positions in order to maintain their caregiving duties. These costs are hard to measure but undoubtedly add to the cost of caregiving on individuals and the economy as a whole. A 2020 report found that informal caregivers report financial support as their most common need.
At its heart caring is a labour of love. This is seen clearly in the actions of senior caregivers caring for others. With an aging population and smaller families, it is becoming more common for Canadian seniors to act as caregivers. Even with their own health concerns, the rate of caregiving in those 65+ is one in four. The physical demands and stress of caregiving are particularly challenging for this group. However, regardless of the type or amount of care provided, recognizing the caregiving role is essential to help all types of informal caregivers cope with the emotional impacts of caregiving.. Guilt, joy, stress, and questions of self-doubt are standard on the caregiving journey. While it can feel isolating, it is not a journey anyone has to do alone. There are ways to help build a circle of care to ensure that those who receive and provide care maintain their wellbeing.
Caregiving should always be a team effort. The dynamic nature of the caregiving journey means that there will be a lot of the unexpected—new responsibilities, shifts in relationship dynamics, increased time commitments and more! But creating a strong circle of support from family, friends, and professionals can significantly help individuals throughout their caregiving journey.
Reading this you may have realized that you or someone you know is a caregiver. And you may be wondering what support is available for caregivers? Or what you can do to support the caregiver in your life?
To answer these questions, perhaps start by having a conversation with friends and neighbours. Normalizing the recognition of the role can help reduce stigma and feelings of isolation. Knowledge is power along the caregiving journey. Learning from experts and others in a similar situation can also provide tips on how to prepare and insight into aspects you may not have considered. Be kind to yourself and others. Everyone's experiences are different and valid.
Remember, there are also local programs that provide support and education for all those within the circle of care. The Caregiver Wellness Program at the Scarborough Centre for Healthy communities offers free services to Scarborough caregivers in English and Tamil. To learn more or get connected, check out www.schcontario.ca/caregiverwellness or caregiverwellness@schcontario.ca by phone (416)-847-4138.
Caregiving should always be a team effort. The dynamic nature of the caregiving journey means that there will be a lot of the unexpected—new responsibilities, shifts in relationship dynamics, increased time commitments and more! But creating a strong circle of support from family, friends, and professionals can significantly help individuals throughout their caregiving journey.
Reading this you may have realized that you or someone you know is a caregiver. And you may be wondering what support is available for caregivers? Or what you can do to support the caregiver in your life?
To answer these questions, perhaps start by having a conversation with friends and neighbours. Normalizing the recognition of the role can help reduce stigma and feelings of isolation. Knowledge is power along the caregiving journey. Learning from experts and others in a similar situation can also provide tips on how to prepare and insight into aspects you may not have considered. Be kind to yourself and others. Everyone's experiences are different and valid.
Remember, there are also local programs that provide support and education for all those within the circle of care. The Caregiver Wellness Program at the Scarborough Centre for Healthy communities offers free services to Scarborough caregivers in English and Tamil. To learn more or get connected, check out www.schcontario.ca/caregiverwellness or caregiverwellness@schcontario.ca by phone (416)-847-4138.
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