Facts and figures
More than 8 million Canadians provided informal care to family member or friend.1
More than 1 million caregivers are older than 65.2
44% of caregivers between the ages of 45-64 care for both a parent and children.3
The number of seniors requiring care is set to double over the next 15 years.4
39% of caregivers look after the needs of their parents, 8% care for a spouse.5
35% of Canada’s workforce provides informal, unpaid work while working.6
1.6 million caregivers took time off work to provide care.7
One-in-ten caregivers spend more than 30 hours per week providing care.8
80% of all care given to seniors in the community and 30% of services to seniors in institutions are provided by informal caregivers.9
The economic value of caregivers is astounding: caregivers who look after seniors save Canada’s health care system between $24 to 31 billion annually.10
CARP members care
41% of members surveyed reported acting as a caregiver.
57% of CARP members who provide care do so at home.
More than half reported providing 20 hours or less of care per week, but three-in-ten provide full-time care with more than forty hours per week dedicated to caregiving.
62% of CARP members reported that they would not be prepared if they found out they would suddenly have to become a caregiver.