Transcript Critical Questions about Families and Work

Both a Caregiver and a Care Receiver: A Dual
Reality for Many Canadians
Donna S. Lero
Jarislowsky Chair in Families and Work
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario
Adele D. Furrie
Adele Furrie Consulting Inc.
Ottawa, Ontario
An invisible population...
Among 8.1 M Canadian caregivers ….
1in 12 (639,000) also receive help or
care for a chronic health condition, a
disability, or problems related to aging
Two populations – Caregivers who are also
care receivers (CG/CRs) and Caregivers who
are not care receivers (CR Only)
Characteristics
 Their experiences providing care and
support to family and friends
 Care-related consequences
 Are CG/CRs at greater risk for negative
outcomes related to their caregiving?

Source: GSS 2012 –Caregiving and Care Receiving
CG/CRs and CGs Only – Similarities and
Differences

CG/CRs somewhat more likely to provide
assistance to more people and to those with a LT
health condition or disability
◦ 21% provided help to > 3 people (15% of CG Only)
Similar in types of assistance they provide
 CG/CRs less likely to have provided end of life care
in last 12 months (18.2% vs. 31.3% for CGs Only)
 Average weekly hours of care similar (Median = 3)

◦ 20 or > hrs: 12.8% (CG/CR)

14.4% (CG Only)
Approximately 55% are women in both groups
More seniors among CG/CRs
50.0%
45.0%
40.0%
35.0%
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0%
44.4%
40.2%
28.7%
26.0%
21.7%
15.8%
11.1%
12.1%
15-24
25-44
45-64
caregiver and care receiver (CG/CR)
caregiver but not a care receiver (CG Only)
65+
Conditions Likely to Contribute to
Vulnerability
Caregiver’s Situation
• Lower income
• More likely to live alone
• Their health condition /
limitations
Unmet needs for
support and
assistance
Caregiving Stresses
Household Income Lower among
CG/CRs
Less than $10,000
$10,000 to $29,999
$30,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $79,999
$80,000 or more
Household income not provided
Caregiver
and Care
Receiver
(CG/CR)
1.1%
13.4%
14.5%
20.1%
25.9%
Caregiver
but not a
care
receiver
(CG Only)
0.9%
6.7%
10.6%
17.2%
42.8%
24.9%
21.8%
Ratings of Own Health
Physical
Health
Excellent
Very good
Good
Fair / Poor
Caregiver but
Caregiver and not a care
Care Receiver
receiver
(CG/CR)
(CG Only)
18.1%
22.8%
31.4%
27.8%
31.9%
34.1%
27.4%
6.5%
Mental
Health
Excellent
Very good
Good
Fair / Poor
Caregiver
and Care
Receiver
(CG/CR)
Caregiver but
not a care
receiver
(CG Only)
7.2%
14.5%
36.1%
42.2%
24.3%
36.1%
30.2%
9.4%
Whether CG/CRs’ own care needs were met
relates to their current physical health
40%
38%
36%
35%
31%
30%
27%
24%
25%
20%
17%
15%
10%
5%
13%
8%
5%
2%
0%
Excellent
Very Good
Needs Met
Good
Fair
Needs Unmet
Poor
and their view of whether their health
suffered as a result of caregiving
Health has suffered due to caregiving
60%
51%
50%
40%
30%
23%
20%
10%
0%
Needs Met
Needs Unmet
The Primary Care Receiver (PCR)
PCR considers you his/her primary caregiver?
Yes: 51%
39%
Caregiving Consequences – Distress
and Isolation
During the past 12 months, have your caregiving
responsibilities caused you to feel ....
70.0%
61.9%
60.0%
54.6%
50.0%
40.3%
40.0%
34.9%
34.1%
30.0%
27.1%
22.9%
18.9%
18.3%
20.0%
16.7%
10.0%
0.0%
…worried or anxious
…depressed
Caregiver and care receiver (CG/CR)
…overwhelmed
…lonely or isolated
Caregiver but not a care receiver (CG only)
…resentful
Caregiving Consequences –
Health-related
During the past 12 months, have your caregiving
responsibilities caused you to .......
70.0%
60.9%
60.0%
50.0%
50.0%
41.7%
40.0%
33.2%
30.0%
22.9%
20.0%
11.5%
10.0%
0.0%
… feel tired?
… experience loss of appetite … experience disturbed sleep
caregiver and care receiver (CG/CR)
caregiver but not a care receiver (CG only)
Effects of Caregiving on
Caregivers’ Health
Has your overall health suffered because of
your caregiving?
YES:
28% CG/CRs
18.7% CG Only
Conclusions
Caregivers who are also care receivers
may be particularly vulnerable to
negative outcomes that can compromise
1.
•
•
2.
Their own health and well-being
Their capacities to continue to provide care
to those who depend on them
Policies and practices must consider
caregivers as partners in their own right
For more information
Donna Lero [email protected]
www.worklifecanada.ca
Adele Furrie
[email protected]
www.adelefurrie.ca