Canada is getting older. Fourteen per cent of the population is above the age of 65, and by 2036, that number is projected to increase to 25 per cent. As hospital stays get shorter, home care is being touted as an efficient alternative.

Care-giving is a growing issue and to Bridge to Care is been established to meet the increasing needs. 

To ensure Bridge to Care can grow sustainable and make the largest possible impact in the lives of caregivers.

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Plans:

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• Raise the profile of and public support for caregivers, their issues and Bridge to Care

• Provide programs that meet the information, education, support, networking and advocacy needs of individual caregivers.

• Influence and affect systems change at all levels to recognize caregivers and address their needs.

• Expand the reach of Bridge to Care to support communities and their caregivers throughout Canada.

• Ensure the growth, sustainability, relevancy and effectiveness of Bridge to Care.

 

About Care-giving

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A caregiver assists a family member or friend with challenges resulting from illness, disability or aging.

Caregivers can be:

• The family member of someone with a brain injury, mental illness or addiction.

• The spouse of someone with heart disease, MS, Parkinsons, ALS, arthritis or dementia.

• The parent of a child with high needs or a disability.

• The adult child of aging parents who need help with appointments, home maintenance and finances.

• The main person checking in on a neighbor or friend because “there is no one else”.

 

These examples are just the beginning. The situations that can make someone a caregiver are endless.

Caregivers are an essential part of our society. There are more than 8 million caregivers in Canada- more than 1 in 4 adults. If you were to replace all the care they provide it would cost $66 billion per year.

Providing care comes at a cost. Many caregivers face negative consequences because of care-giving:

• Higher rates of stress, anxiety and depression

• Greater risk of burning out

• Difficult emotions like grief, anger, frustration and guilt

• Poorer physical health and lack of sleep

• Out-of-pocket expenses

• Employment impacts including absenteeism, reducing hours and exiting workforce

• Difficulty finding resources and getting necessary support

• Strained family relationships

As a society, we need caregivers. The population is aging, and people are living longer with illness and disability. As care needs grow, we rely on caregivers to fill in the gaps. But caregivers can’t do it without support and recognition from the government, the system and the community.