Looking After the Elderly: A Profile of Daughter-Caregivers

Looking After the Elderly: A Profile of Daughter-Caregivers

TORONTO (April 22, 2002) -- A new survey shows that daughter-caregivers are the key informal provider group looking after the elderly at home, and that these duties are taking a physical and emotional toll on them.

According to a provincial survey conducted by the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors (OANHSS), about two-third of all caregivers are women. Of these, slightly more than half (56 per cent) are daughters caring for their elderly parents.

The survey results, released today at the OANHSS Annual Convention, provide the following profile of daughter-caregivers in Ontario:

* their average age is 53 years

* more than half (52 per cent) also work outside the home

* 36 per cent also look after children at home

* they each provide an average of 29 hours of parent care a week

* most are emotionally and physically exhausted

* most devote a year or more to caregiving before seeking outside assistance ... and when they do, they feel guilty about `giving up' care to someone else

The survey also showed that family caregivers in general lack information about available services. As a result, most feel alone and without support, and they are usually unprepared for decisions regarding the care of their loved ones.

"Today, more and more people -- daughter-caregivers in particular -- find themselves looking after elderly loved ones at home. Often they feel isolated and unequal to the task. Yet there have been few places for them to go for assistance," says Donna Rubin, CEO of OANHSS.

In response, OANHSS has established an online resource centre. This unique service provides family caregivers with information about not-for-profit homes, housing and services for seniors available in their community. It explains how to access care, and it answers frequently asked questions.

The online resource centre -- available at www.oanhss.org -- is being funded entirely by OANHSS and is free to everyone. A public service campaign has also been launched in television, print and radio. The spots portray a daughter-caregiver and her elderly mother, and are designed to raise awareness that "now there is help".

The survey was conducted earlier this month. A questionnaire was sent to 187 member organizations of OANHSS, and the results are based on information provided by 105 respondents.

OANHSS members operate over 25,000 long term care beds, more than 5,000 seniors housing units, and numerous community services for seniors -- all not-for-profit -- throughout Ontario.

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For further information, contact:
Debbie Humphreys or 905-851-8821 ext 233

C	ontact OANHSS

Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes & Services for Seniors
7050 Weston Road, Suite 700, Woodbridge, Ontario L4L 8G7
(P) 905-851-8821
(F) 905-851-0744

OANHSS Privacy Policy

OANHSS members include not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and housing for seniors in Ontario.
Members include municipal and charitable long term care homes, non-profit nursing homes,
seniors' housing projects and community service agencies.