Family caregivers: A cry for help

Family caregivers: A cry for help

The Canadian government is being petitioned to provide support for family caregivers, for the reasons and according to the terms and conditions outlined below.

Being a family caregiver can be a 24/7 job. The task is daunting, sometimes undoable.

In addition to providing benefits and compensation, governments – and by extension our society – would also need to invest in community-based services such as a personal support workers network, volunteer programs, the provision of home palliative care, and a professional psychological support plan for family caregivers.

I have the distinct impression that the types and level of assistance available to family caregivers varies widely across Canada. I would love to hear from readers about this issue.

Petition to the Government of Canada

Whereas:

Family caregivers provide vital uncompensated support to individuals who are sick, are losing their independence or are living with a disability;
Their work saves the government hundreds of millions of dollars each year by reducing the burden on hospitals and long-term care facilities;
When these responsibilities are transferred to the public system, costs increase considerably—and are borne by taxpayers;
Given the current cost of living, it is becoming increasingly difficult for family caregivers to leave their jobs to take care of a loved one at home;
If nothing is done, more and more family caregivers will have to step back from their roles, making the crisis situation in our health care system worse;
Compensating family caregivers would cost much less than building new facilities, staffing them and managing them.

We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada,, call upon the Government of Canada to:

Recognize family caregivers in Canada and compensate them fairly, that is, formally recognize the role of family caregivers as an integral part of the health care system;
Establish a monthly federal benefit or compensation program for full-time family caregivers;
Increase access to and the duration of family caregiver benefits under Employment Insurance; and
Establish a national support and respite program for family caregivers that is accessible throughout Canada.