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Caregiver distress: A crisis grows

A conversation between Anna Greenberg, Interim President and CEO of Health Quality Ontario, and Craig Lindsay, an individual who has had significant experience as a caregiver. Anna and Craig discuss both the broader issue of caregiver distress and the very personal challenges that an individual caregiver can face.

Anna Greenberg: Three years ago, Health Quality Ontario released The Reality of Caring, a report that documented the increased percentage of unpaid caregivers (caring for home care clients) reporting stress and burnout. Since the release of that report, the situation has become worse - not better. The most recent data indicates 44% of home care clients with an informal/unpaid caregiver reported at least once that their caregiver was experiencing distress, anger or depression related to their role and/or were unable to continue their caregiving activities. This is a 21% increase in a 2-year period.

Craig Lindsay: From personal experience I can attest to this. My mother, Lois, lived alone for the last 16 years of her life. She needed some minimal support; someone to go to appointments with her, help with understanding her medications, general housekeeping, and keeping her home safe and accessible. I could do that, and my brothers helped too. As she aged her needs changed. Unfortunately, mine did too. My kidneys failed and I started dialysis three times a week. My ability to support her care, after she received the diagnosis of terminal lung cancer, was not what it should have been. For those last weeks I struggled to help her die comfortably at home. Juggling these responsibilities inevitably led to stress and I know I am by no means unique.

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