Both a Caregiver and a Care Receiver A

Both a Caregiver and a Care Receiver: A Dual Reality for Many Canadians Donna S. Lero Jarislowsky Chair in Families and Work University of Guelph, Ontario Adele D. Furrie Adele Furrie Consulting Inc. Ottawa, Ontario

An invisible population. . . Among 8. 1 M Canadian caregivers …. 1 in 12 (639, 000) also receive help or care for a chronic health condition, a disability, or problems related to aging

Two populations – Caregivers who are also care receivers (CG/CRs) and Caregivers who are not care receivers (CR Only) Characteristics Their experiences providing care and support to family and friends Care-related consequences Are CG/CRs at greater risk for negative outcomes related to their caregiving? Source: GSS 2012 –Caregiving and Care Receiving

CG/CRs and CGs Only – Similarities and Differences �CG/CRs somewhat more likely to provide assistance to more people and to those with a LT health condition or disability ◦ 21% provided help to > 3 people (15% of CG Only) �Similar in types of assistance they provide �CG/CRs less likely to have provided end of life care in last 12 months (18. 2% vs. 31. 3% for CGs Only) �Average weekly hours of care similar (Median = 3) ◦ 20 or > hrs: 12. 8% (CG/CR) 14. 4% (CG Only)

More seniors among CG/CRs 50, 0% 45, 0% 40, 0% 35, 0% 30, 0% 25, 0% 20, 0% 15, 8% 10, 0% 12, 1% 5, 0% 0, 0% 15 -24 44, 4% 40, 2% 28, 7% 26, 0% 21, 7% 11, 1% 25 -44 45 -64 caregiver and care receiver (CG/CR) caregiver but not a care receiver (CG Only) 65+

Conditions Likely to Contribute to Vulnerability Caregiver’s Situation • Lower income • More likely to live alone • Their health condition / limitations Unmet needs for support and assistance Caregiving Stresses

Household Income Lower among CG/CRs Less than $10, 000 to $29, 999 $30, 000 to $49, 999 $50, 000 to $79, 999 $80, 000 or more Household income not provided Caregiver and Care Receiver (CG/CR) 1. 1% 13. 4% 14. 5% 20. 1% 25. 9% Caregiver but not a care receiver (CG Only) 0. 9% 6. 7% 10. 6% 17. 2% 42. 8% 24. 9% 21. 8%

Ratings of Own Health Physical Health Excellent Very good Good Fair / Poor Caregiver but Caregiver and not a care Care Receiver receiver (CG/CR) (CG Only) 18. 1% 22. 8% 31. 4% 27. 8% 31. 9% 34. 1% 27. 4% 6. 5% Mental Health Excellent Very good Good Fair / Poor Caregiver and Caregiver but Care not a care Receiver receiver (CG/CR) (CG Only) 7. 2% 14. 5% 36. 1% 42. 2% 24. 3% 36. 1% 30. 2% 9. 4%

Whether CG/CRs’ own care needs were met relates to their current physical health 40% 38% 35% 36% 31% 30% 27% 24% 25% 20% 17% 15% 10% 5% 13% 8% 5% 2% 0% Excellent Very Good Needs Met Good Fair Needs Unmet Poor

and their view of whether their health suffered as a result of caregiving Health has suffered due to caregiving 60% 51% 50% 40% 30% 23% 20% 10% 0% Needs Met Needs Unmet

The Primary Care Receiver (PCR) PCR considers you his/her primary caregiver? Yes: 51% 39%

Caregiving Consequences – Distress and Isolation During the past 12 months, have your caregiving responsibilities caused you to feel. . 70, 0% 61, 9% 60, 0% 54, 6% 50, 0% 40, 3% 40, 0% 34, 9% 34, 1% 30, 0% 27, 1% 22, 9% 18, 3% 20, 0% 16, 7% 10, 0% …worried or anxious …depressed …overwhelmed Caregiver and care receiver (CG/CR) …lonely or isolated Caregiver but not a care receiver (CG only) …resentful

Caregiving Consequences – Health-related During the past 12 months, have your caregiving responsibilities caused you to. . . . 70, 0% 60, 9% 60, 0% 50, 0% 41, 7% 40, 0% 33, 2% 30, 0% 22, 9% 20, 0% 11, 5% 10, 0% … feel tired? … experience loss of appetite caregiver and care receiver (CG/CR) … experience disturbed sleep caregiver but not a care receiver (CG only)

Effects of Caregiving on Caregivers’ Health Has your overall health suffered because of your caregiving? YES: Only 28% CG/CRs 18. 7% CG

Conclusions Caregivers who are also care receivers may be particularly vulnerable to negative outcomes that can compromise 1. • • 2. Their own health and well-being Their capacities to continue to provide care to those who depend on them Policies and practices must consider caregivers as partners in their own right

For more information Donna Lero dlero@uoguelph. ca www. worklifecanada. ca Adele Furrie adfurrie@rogers. com www. adelefurrie. ca