Become a caregiver
Becoming a caregiver is a role that can arise unexpectedly at any point in life. Regardless of our backgrounds, each of us may find ourselves touched by caregiving in some capacity. The evolving societal recognition of caregivers over time underscores the vital importance of this role in our communities. Our organization, in partnership with various entities, is dedicated to advocating for the full recognition of caregivers in society.
An inclusive definition
For many years, caregiver organizations have been actively advocating and lobbying governments to achieve full recognition for caregivers. One of the initial demands was to broaden the definition of caregivers, which was initially included in the 2003 home support policy by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, among other measures.
Thanks to the collaboration among various organizations and Proche aidance Québec, a more inclusive and comprehensive definition has emerged:
"For the purposes of this Act, 'caregiver' means any individual providing assistance to one or more members of their circle who have a temporary or permanent physical, psychological, psychosocial, or other disability, irrespective of their age or living situation, and with whom they share an emotional, familial, or non-familial bond. The assistance offered can be continuous or occasional, short-term or long-term, and is provided on a non-professional basis, voluntarily, and can be revoked at any time. Its primary objective is to promote the recovery of the person receiving care and to maintain or enhance their quality of life, whether at home or in other living environments. Caregiving may manifest in various forms, including transportation, personal care and household chores assistance, emotional support, or coordination of care and services. It may also have financial implications for the caregiver and may impact their ability to attend to their own physical, mental health, or other social and familial responsibilities." (Bill 56, passed October 28, 2020)
A variety of journeys
Caregivers' journeys are unique, each filled with a multitude of emotions and challenges. It's crucial that we acknowledge the diversity of experiences and paths in caregiving.
A few statistics
35%
of adults in Quebec, in 2016, took action as caregivers of seniors. (APPUI, 2016)
83,8%
Caregivers who recognize themselves as so provide between 10 and 19 hours of care per week. (APPUI, 2016)
57%
of caregivers have a job and face the challenges of balancing work, family, their role and their personal life on a daily basis. (Proche aidance Québec, 2018)
25.7%
Caregivers take care of two people. (Proche aidance Québec, 2018)
10.5%
of caregivers care for three or more people. (Proche aidance Québec, 2018)
40%
of caregivers feel that they had no choice but to take on this role, for all reasons.(Proche aidance Québec, 2018)
Women as caregivers
The caregiving landscape is predominantly inhabited by women, who often undertake this role for family members or friends (Conseil du statut de la femme, 2018). The experiences of women caregivers are diverse and intricate.
Women caregivers frequently encounter various forms of inequality.
"Many caregivers may not identify themselves as such due to several reasons: they may not provide a large number of caregiving hours, they might perceive caregiving as a natural aspect of family solidarity, or they may view it as part of routine household duties. It's probable that caregivers, especially women in similar situations, are quicker to recognize themselves as caregivers." (Conseil du statut de la femme, 2018)