Statistics Canada
www.statcan.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Who's caring for seniors?
Archived Content
Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.
In 2007, about 2.7 million Canadians aged 45 and older, or approximately one-fifth of people in this age group, provided some form of unpaid care to seniors who had long-term health problems.
Fifty-four percent of caregivers reported that they were coping “very well” with their care-giving responsibilities. Another 42% said they were “generally okay” with this role.
Many people giving care to seniors balance this and other roles, such as jobs and caring for their own children. About 43% of caregivers were aged 45 to 54, a time of life when many Canadians still have children living at home.
Caregivers are more likely to be women who were employed and married. In 2007, one in four caregivers were themselves seniors; one-third of these senior caregivers were over the age of 75.
