Family/Informal Caregivers

What is a Family/Informal Caregiver?

A family/informal caregiver in Canada is defined as an individual who provides care and/or support to a family member, friend or neighbour who has a physical or mental disability, is chronically ill or is frail.

As a result of a policy and a societal shift away from institutional care, more people are being cared for in their homes and communities. This is creating an increased demand for family caregiving. With over two million family/informal caregivers in Canada, caregivers play a critical role in the sustainability of the home and community care sector.

Health Canada's Role

Health Canada conducts research and policy analysis in the area of family/informal caregiving. In this section, you will find information on family caregiving in Canada, respite programs across the provinces/territories as well as collaborative reports with stakeholders.

Reports

(2005) How Can Telehomecare Support Informal Care? Examining What is Known and Exploring the Potential

(2005) The information needs of informal caregivers involved in providing support to a critically ill loved one

(2004) Informal/Family Caregivers in Canada: Caring for Someone with a Mental Illness

(2003) Canadian Caregiver Coalition: Roundtable on the Role of Men in Caregiving (Ottawa, Ontario, May 2, 2003)

(2003) Respite for Family Caregivers: An Environmental Scan of Publicly-funded Programs in Canada

(2002) National Profile of Family Caregivers in Canada - 2002