The State of Caregiving Among Canadians 50+: A Public Policy Challenge
Half of all Canadians will be a caregiver at some point in our lives, yet it often goes unrecognized. Nearly 8 million Canadians provide care today for family members or friends facing health challenges, disabilities, or ageing-related issues. The reality? Caregivers contribute an estimated 5.7 billion unpaid hours each year — work valued at over $97 billion — but with little support.
The Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE) warns that we are already living in a caregiving crisis. As caregivers age and fewer people are available to provide care, the demand is only increasing. Whether it’s helping with medical needs, household tasks, or simply offering emotional support, caregivers play a vital role—not just in the lives of their loved ones, but in keepingCanada’s healthcare system afloat.
CCCE has spent the last year working with caregivers, care providers, recipients of care, researchers, and leaders in every part of the country to develop a National Caregiving Strategy to address this problem. The NIA has been involved in this process from the beginning.
