Canada lags behind OECD on homecare, caregiver supports

When it comes to keeping vulnerable seniors safe, there’s no place like home.

96% of CARP members tell us they want to age in place, and nearly a quarter have admitted to supplementing publicly funded home care with private alternatives.

CARP is urging governments to recognize that home care and community-based care solutions are critical to resolving the long-term care crisis.

Compared to other Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, Canada spends significantly less of its long-term care spending on home and community care vs. nursing home care, ensuring the status quo remains unchallenged

 As our country ages, we need to making crucial investments in home care and in our caregivers. This doesn’t just make economic sense, it is necessary if we want to allow Canadians to live with dignity as we age.

CARP is calling on governments to better support Canadians living in their homes for longer:

  • Increase support for front line home care, respite care, and day programs to enable aging in place;
  • Increase funding and use of technology-enabled home care solutions to better support individuals living safely and autonomously, and ensure tax breaks for home accessibility;
  • Attract qualified personnel to home and community care;
  • Expand tele-health care solutions to support patients and families, and maintain options for physicians to continue with remote consults via phone or video conference;
  • Ensure all caregivers have access to financial relief through the federal Family Caregiver Tax Credit by making it refundable or a rebate;
  • Ensure resources and services are sensitive to the particular challenges of vulnerable older populations such as racialized communities.