Informal caregiving for seniors.
Based on data from the 2008/2009 Canadian Community Health Survey-Healthy Aging, this study examines the characteristics of people aged 45 or older who reported caring for a senior. It also describes the nature of the care provided and the positive and negative aspects of caregiving. More than one-third (35%) of Canadians aged 45 or older reported caring for a senior with a short- or long-term health condition or limitation. Compared with non-caregivers, those providing care to a senior were more likely to be women. They tended to be younger and more likely to live in higher-income households and to be postsecondary graduates. More than half the people receiving care were parents or parents-in-law, and they usually did not live with the caregiver. The most common form of care provided was transportation. A third of caregivers had been providing assistance for at least five years. Virtually all (95%) of them reported positive aspects of caregiving, but more than half (56%) experienced challenges and difficulties.
Social and Aboriginal Statistics Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0T6. annie.turner@statcan.gc.ca
Annie
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Leanne
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D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013315:Stress, Psychological