Family Caregivers can now easily access information about supports and services in their community by calling the new Ontario Caregiver Helpline.
In Ontario, there are 3.3 million caregivers; family members, partners, friends, and neighbours who provide physical or emotional support to someone in need. They are all ages, some as young as 15, and their contribution to the health care system is significant. Family caregivers are enabling people to remain in their homes, providing the personal, emotional, and often medical care needed, regardless of whether they know how or feel confident in their ability to do so. With caregivers investing 11 – 30 hours a week, their contribution based on minimum wage is a minimum of $26B.
The 2019 Spotlight Report, released by The Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) and The Change Foundation, shines a light on the needs of unpaid caregivers. The survey uncovers how caregiving impacts the lives of both the caregiver and the care receiver, how caregivers feel about their role, and what additional supports or informationthey need.
Most caregivers say they are honored to provide care, but they are tired and overwhelmed. More than half find the overall management of caregiving to be stressful, particularly coordinating services, meeting physical and emotional needs, balancing with other responsibilities, and managing emotions. Thirty-seven percent of Ontario’s caregivers say the role has had a negative effect on their mental health. This number increases to 57% for those caregivers who support someone with a mental health challenge.
In addition to the emotional impacts, there are financial hardships associated with caregiving. Three in four caregivers say they have taken time off work to manage their caregiving responsibilities, and one in four caregivers say their relationship with their employer has been negatively affected. Many feel it has hindered their career growth, and some have even lost their job.
The Spotlight Report reveals the reality that caregivers are struggling to cope. Unless we look at new and innovative ways to support family caregivers, they are at risk of becoming patients themselves.
The Ontario Caregiver Organization has a role to play in health system transformation. Its focus is solely on caregivers, and unlike other organizations, OCO is here to support all caregivers, regardless of age, diagnosis or geographical location.
Recently, OCO launched the Ontario Caregiver Helpline — a single point of access where caregivers can speak to a community resource specialist to identify local supports and services for both the patient and the caregiver. For example, caregiver support groups or information related to caregiver tax credits. This was a direct response to what caregivers identified, with 77% saying they want one place to call for information and support.
As the Helpline continues to evolve, OCO is also working on other programs and services that are still needed. OCO’s mandate is to not duplicate anything that is already available but rather to amplify and support the growth and sustainability of the many great programs that already exist. Where there are gaps, OCO will work with caregivers to co-create innovative solutions. Currently, OCO is working on a caregiver peer support program and a new workplace program that will support employers and caregivers in the workforce.
We know caregivers often look to nurses as a trusted source of information, including what supports are available in the community. Now, nurses can provide caregivers with one phone number and website where they can access the information they need. The community resource specialists who answer the phone are certified through the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems and have experience in either health care or social services. They are also trained to understand the complexities of caregiving. Community resource specialists will offer caregivers an additional follow up call to confirm they were able to access the support they need.
The Ontario Caregiver Helpline is available 24/7 at 1-833-416-2273, or live chat Monday through Friday from 7:00 am – 9:00 pm at ontariocaregiver.ca. For more information about the Helpline, the Spotlight Report and other programs and services, visit ontariocaregiver.ca.
