Transforming Care with a National Caregiver Strategy for Canada

We are excited to launch Season 2 of Aging Vibrantly with an inspiring leader who is committed to ‘making Canada the best place in the world to give and receive care! In this inaugural episode, host Raeann Rideout and co-host Pauline Luening talk with James Janeiro, Director of Policy and Government Relations for the Canadian Centre for Caregiver Excellence (CCCE).

 

According to the CCCE, “Canada is facing a caregiving crisis that will only get worse without real action. A perfect storm is brewing, demand for care is growing, caregivers are aging, the number of available caregivers is shrinking”. Given 1 in 4 Canadians is a caregiver and the current situation facing caregivers, we engage our guest in an insightful conversation on the role of CCCE to support and empower caregivers and care providers across all ages and diverse communities and how to best address the growing demands on caregivers and the need for A National Caregivers Strategy for Canada.

 

James speaks to the 5.7 billion hours each year caregivers in Canada spend supporting others, the economic saving in health-care resources, their contributions to Canada’s economy ($97.1 billion annually), challenges of balancing work and care as well as the economic and health impacts, including lost productivity at work, loneliness and anxiety. Our discussion flows into the advocacy work of CCCE with caregivers, care providers and leaders across the disability, aging, healthcare, and illness communities from across the country and how this led to public policy solutions - 5 Pillars of Action in their National Caregiving Strategy for Canada.

 

We wrap up our conversation with actions to empower older adults and the people who care for them to engage in CCEE’s advocacy initiatives.

 

During this episode you will learn:

 

• How CCCE supports and empowers caregivers and care providers across all ages and diverse communities.
• The 5 Pillars of actionable public policy solutions in their National Caregiving Strategy for Canada to address the biggest challenges faced by caregivers, care recipients and care providers across Canada.
• Caregiving statistics in Canada: Highlights from the Caring in Canada Report (2024)
  • 1 in 4 Canadians is a caregiver, and half of Canadians will be at some point in their lifetime.
  • 87% of caregivers experience loneliness, 73% experience moderate to high anxiety and 69% note a deterioration in their mental health
  • Caregivers provide care equivalent to 2.8 million full-time paid care providers each year. This saves billions of dollars in health-care resources
  • $1,300,000,000 in lost productivity per year due to caregiving duties; absenteeism, presenteeism, turnover, etc.
  • 62% of caregivers balance work and care, representing 6.1 million employees—or 35% of the labour force.

 

Be an Advocate: The Time to Act is NOW!

CCCE’s campaign - Act on Care: Complete an on-line form on their website to send a letter to the Federal Government urging them all to support caregivers and care providers across Canada and support the National Caregiving Strategy for Canada.

 

Until next time - Stay Vibrant!

 

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References & Resources

 

Canadian Centre of Caregiving Excellence

 

A National Caregiving Strategy for Canada

https://canadiancaregiving.org/national-caregiving-strategy/

 

CCCE Wellness programs
https://canadiancaregiving.org/resources/wellness-programs/

 

Resources for Caregivers
https://canadiancaregiving.org/resources/caregiver-resources/

 

Act on Care

https://canadiancaregiving.org/act/

 

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About our Guest

James Janeiro is the Director of Policy and Government Relations at the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, a program of the Azrieli Foundation. James is a public policy and advocacy professional with over a decade of experience in politics, public policy and advocacy. James leads an ambitious national and pan-Canadian advocacy and policy development agenda focused on substantive and practical reform and anchored in A National Caregiving Strategy for Canada.

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Credits

 

Producer: Todd Miller, The Podcast Experts
Podcast Coordinator: Lisa Widdifield
Co-Host: Pauline Luening, Member of Aging Vibrantly Podcast Advisory Committee
Music: Redpath Audio

 

We want to thank HelpAge Canada for their financial support to produce this Season’s podcast

 

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