Caregiver Campaign kicks off with event in Charlottetown

CARP’s new Vice President, Advocacy, Wanda Morris, is embarking on a cross-Canada tour visiting the volunteer-led CARP Chapters in 50 communities from coast to coast and will be speaking at a public meeting in Charlottetown next Wednesday Aug 31st.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

Date: Wednesday, August 31st, 2016

Time: 4:30pm to 5:30pm

Location: Rodd Hotel , 75 Kent St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 1N1, Meeting in the Kent Room.

Admission is free. Refreshments will be served. 

Incorporated as the Canadian Association of Retired Persons 40 years ago, CARP is a national, not for profit, non-partisan membership association advocating for a ‘new vision of aging’ for Canadians.

CARP has 300,000 members nationally with 1000 of those residing on Prince Edward Island.

Wanda_MorrisYou may recognize Wanda’s name as the former CEO of Dying with Dignity Canada.

Wanda joined CARP in the spring of 2016 and is going across the country to meet and hear from seniors on the issues that are affecting them in their own communities.

Her presentation will highlight the issue of Caregiving and CARP’s campaign to support them:

 

CARP has recognized the issue of under serviced caregiver supports as a priority amongst our members. That is why we are launching our Caregiver Campaign this fall. We need your voice to help call on federal and provincial governments to step up and do the right thing: increase financial benefits for caregivers in Canada.

Over 8 million Canadians provide unpaid care to family members and friends with health issues including chronic conditions and disabilities and that will continue to grow as our society ages. Though caring for a loved one can be a rewarding experience, it can also be traumatic and all- encompassing, creating a perfect storm for caregiver burnout: emotionally, financially and physically. At CARP we believe we are long overdue for improved financial benefits for caregiver supports.

We are asking our Federal and Provincial governments for three things:

  1. A Rebate not a Tax Credit.

Caregivers are entitled to a federal Family Caregiver Tax Credit. But tax credits only help those who pay taxes. Those who most need relief – individuals who have given up their employment to provide care – receive no benefit. Changing this Federal tax credit to a rebate would ensure all caregivers can obtain this financial relief.

  1.  Support for caregivers of the chronically ill as well as the dying.

Right now, individuals can claim Employment Insurance (EI) if they care for a family member expected to die within 26 weeks. But many caregivers miss work to assist loved ones with chronic illnesses who are not imminently dying. EI needs to be expanded so these caregivers can benefit too.

  1. Allowances for those providing extraordinary care. Sometimes family members want to provide care, but lack the financial resources. A means-tested allowance paid directly to the caregivers would enable them to make ends meet while allowing their loved ones to stay in their home and community.  Sweden, Australia, the UK and Nova Scotia have such programs. All Canadian caregivers deserve the same.

Report from StatsCan:  Family caregiving: What are the consequences? http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/75-006-x/2013001/article/11858-eng.htm

CARP has developed a top ten list of priority issues on which we are advocating on behalf of our members, and older Canadians in general.

http://www.carp.ca/advocacy-priorities/

 

For further information email [email protected]