Nations must better adapt to greying world: Report

Turnover costs are about $2,500 per vacancy in the U.S., the report calculated.

“High turnover, low quality and low pay do not seem sustainable strategies: Not enough workers may be willing to provide care,” it said.

The report commended Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. for paying caregivers who provided a minimum amount of hours of care.

“Many provinces and territories in Canada have well-established self-managed care schemes, providing eligible users with cash benefits to manage care delivery, including by paying family carers and friends.”

The researchers also noted Canada was among several nations that acted proactively in creating agreements that target recruiting migrant care workers.

The number of caregivers admitted to Canada has climbed steadily over the last decade, from 2,685 in 2000 to 12,885 in 2008.

© Postmedia News

Keywords: elder, long-term care, respite, caregivers, work