Caregivers

What is a caregiver?

According to the Quebec  Act to recognize and support caregivers:

A caregiver is any person who provides support to someone in their immediate circle who has a temporary or permanent incapacity and with whom they share an emotional bond, whether as a family member, friend, neighbour, or otherwise. The incapacity may be physical, psychological, psychosocial, or of another nature, regardless of the person's age or living environment.

This support may be provided on a continuous or occasional basis, for a short or long period of time. It is offered informally, outside a professional role, and free of charge.

Caregivers provide support in many ways, including:

  • transportation
  • assistance with personal care and housekeeping
  • emotional support
  • coordination of care and services

Examples of caregiving:

  • A teenager who helps her grandmother each week by doing her grocery shopping.
  • A son who lives with his elderly mother who has dementia and provides daily support and supervision, helping her remain at home as long as possible.
  • A mother who visits her adult son every day to prepare meals and support him with daily living activities.
  • A young woman who checks in on her cousin every day, messages him regularly, and visits him while he is experiencing depression.
  • Parents who help their child who is living with autism spectrum disorder maintain a stable and predictable living environment.

The terms natural caregiver, informal caregiver, and family caregiver are sometimes used to emphasize that the support provided is based on a personal and emotional bond with the person receiving support, whether they are a family member or not. When support is provided as part of paid employment, the individual may be referred to as a care worker or professional caregiver.

Caregivers play an essential role in helping people maintain their independence, quality of life, and connection to their community. Their support often enables individuals to remain at home or in their community for as long as possible. These contributions have a significant impact on families and communities throughout Nunavik.

What challenges can caregivers face?

The support provided by caregivers may have financial repercussions for themselves and/or limit their capacity to take care of their own physical and mental health or fulfil their other social and family responsibilities. In Nunavik, caregiving responsibilities can be especially demanding due to challenges affecting the availability of home care and support services in many communities.

Caregivers contribute enormously to the well-being of Nunavik communities. Their work often goes unseen, yet it is essential. Without their support, many people would be unable to remain in their homes and communities. Many Elders who benefit from caregiver support carry important knowledge, language and cultural traditions that strengthen community life.

Challenges for caregivers often include:

  • worry
  • stress and anxiety
  • fatigue
  • impatience and frustration
  • risk of mistreatment
  • feeling overwhelmed
  • isolation
  • tardiness and absence at work or school
  • reduction of working hours
  • financial issues
  • limitations in their ability to take care of their own physical and mental health
  • limitations in their ability to tend to other social and family obligations
  • change in the dynamic between caregiver and the person being cared for
  • burnout: a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion

Given the challenges caregivers can face, they may also need support to continue providing care in a sustainable way.

What support is available for caregivers?

Since 2020, the Quebec Government adopted the Act to recognize and support caregivers in the province. This Act led to provincial action plans aimed at recognizing, supporting and improving services for caregivers across Québec. These provincial initiatives also had an impact in Nunavik, leading to new funding opportunities and a commitment to develop services that better support caregivers.

The creation of the Nunavik Access Point for Special Care programs is a result of these efforts in Nunavik. With the different programs available through the Health Centre and the APSC, following an assessment, caregivers may have access to various forms of support, including:

Can caregivers be paid for the support they provide?

In some situations, caregivers may now receive compensation for certain support services provided to a loved one. Through the Home Autonomy Allowance Program, eligible individuals living with a functional limitation may hire a care worker of their choice, including, in some cases, their main caregiver.

Eligibility is determined through an assessment completed by home care or social services staff. The support that may be compensated includes personal care, assistance with daily living activities, meal preparation, housekeeping and other home support services.

Contact:

Email: Access.specialcareprograms.nunavik@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Facebook: Nunavik – Access Point for Special Care Programs

In addition, caregivers can also reach out to other regional or national resources: