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The Ontario Caregiver Coalition (OCC) is a group dedicated to bringing issues related to family caregiving to the policy table.
Family caregivers care for spouses, children, parents and other extended family members in need of support due to age, debilitating medical conditions, chronic injury, long term illness or disability. Although they are largely invisible, family caregivers supplement and complement Ontario’s health care system.
Studies have shown that caregivers are under considerable psychological, physical and financial stress (despite enjoying the inherent satisfaction of caring for their loved ones). They frequently succumb to illness - rendering them no longer capable of providing care to their loved one, and often necessitating placement of the loved one in a health care facility. With rising costs of the health system, escalating health human resource shortages, and a growing aging population, the continuing contribution of caregivers is essential.
The Ontario Government supports family caregivers with several programs and services. Most recently this support has been evident in the Aging at Home Strategy and in the Emergency Room Wait Time Strategy (Alternate Level of Care). However, a broader range of policies and programs are needed to support caregivers in Ontario and to reduce their burden of care.
The OCC believes that caregiver policies should:
- Provide recognition of family caregivers and the caregiving role
- Provide program choices so that caregivers can select programs that meet their particular needs and family situation
- Be flexible in order to meet caregiver needs
- Provide opportunities for caregivers to network and support each other
- Allow opportunities for caregivers to provide input into the development and evaluation of policies
