But Dr. Chappell shoots down this dire notion, noting that 75 to 85 per cent of care is provided by informal caregivers.
Family, friends and community groups provide care and they do so willingly. While much attention has been paid to the negative consequences of care giving – stress, depression, physical and emotional strain – the report notes that most caregivers also experience enjoyment and a sense of satisfaction caring for their loved ones. In fact, many of those who provide care to older adults don’t even define themselves as caregivers nor see what they do as work.
These data again challenge the assumption that there is going to be a massive shift to expensive, institutional care as boomers age.
But the key message of Dr. Chappell’s report is this: Caregivers should be supported in the care they willingly provide.
The system that exists in most Canadian provinces today is precisely the opposite. There are some modest tax measures such as compassionate care leave available through the Employment Insurance program. There is also some respite care offered in three guises: sitter services to give caregivers short breaks; adult daycare a few days a week; and temporary beds in nursing homes to give the family a break.
-----------------------
D: subsidizing informal caregivers is still vastly cheaper than placing the retired in retirement homes. And allows them the dignity of living semi-independently for longer. It is highly cost-effective.
No comments:
Post a Comment