The Honourable Eric Hoskins
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Hepburn Block, 10th Floor
80 Grosvenor Street Toronto ON M7A 2C4

April 21, 2017

Dear Dr. Hoskins:

I am pleased to submit my interim report on expanding caregiver supports which is one of the ten steps in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s “Roadmap to Strengthen Home and Community Care“. I was asked to examine how to strengthen caregiver supports, particularly whether a new provincial caregiver organization would benefit Ontario’s caregivers and, if so, what would it look like. I will be providing a final report in May but wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that I will be recommending a number of enhanced and/or new supports for Ontario’s caregivers, as well as the creation of a caregiver organization.

Caregivers provide unpaid care to their family, friends and neighbours of any age who have physical and/or mental health care needs. Caregivers experience high levels of stress and need support to be able to continue caring. Although Ontario is fortunate to have many valuable organizations that help support caregivers, they still face challenges finding and accessing appropriate information and supports.

The contribution and value of caregiving are significant and growing. Caregivers augment our taxpayer-funded services, are an intrinsic part of our health care system, and contribute significantly to the health and wellbeing of Ontarians. I believe that Ontario needs to invest in supporting its caregivers, and that a made-in-Ontario approach would be welcomed and highly beneficial. My advice is based on a solid foundation that includes previous reports, studies and consultations on the needs of caregivers. In addition, I consulted on the supports that caregivers need and how best to provide these. Almost 200 caregivers, representatives of home and community care organizations, and caregiver support organizations elsewhere gave their input.

My recommendations will focus on the supports that caregivers need and a structure for providing these supports. My advice takes the caregiver’s perspective and aims to benefit caregivers.

The supports that caregivers need

There was widespread agreement during the consultations that effective caregiver support must include initiatives at the individual, organizational and system levels.

  • Individual level supports should include one access point where caregivers can receive information and be connected to available services and supports. Caregiver education and programs will also address individual level needs.
  • Organizational level supports should identify caregiver support gaps within and between LHINs – as well as among organizations that support caregivers – and advise on opportunities to address gaps, standardize services, make better use of collective resources, expand excellent programs, and improve equitable access to supports. This will help reduce inequitable access to services.
  • System level supports should include public education and awareness campaigns about the value, importance and challenges of caregiving; increased knowledge of health care and other service providers (such as EMS and police) about the role and value of engaging caregivers; opportunities to improve and align caregiver support policies and legislation at the municipal, provincial and federal levels; and opportunities for caregiver and best practices research.

Structure for providing caregiver supports

Over the course of the consultations, there was agreement that, currently, Ontario does not have an organization or entity that can deliver the full range of caregiver supports and reflect the unique culture of caregiving. There was widespread support from caregivers for the creation of an organization dedicated to meeting their broad needs. Although opinions varied widely on the best structure, it was agreed that the structure should deliver on the supports identified above, and be cost responsible. I believe it will be important to respect the critical role played by existing organizations that have a strong track record supporting care recipients and caregivers, such as those that focus on particular diseases, home and community care provider organizations, patient and caregiver associations, and other parts of the health care system. Their input has been invaluable and, going forward, we need to draw on their experience and expertise, and leave room for their ccontinued support to caregivers.

In closing, I have found widespread agreement about the need for enhanced supports for caregivers and the need for an entity to provide or facilitate access to these supports. Consequently, I will be recommending the creation of a provincial caregiver organization. Currently, I am considering organizational options and anticipate having a proposal for your consideration in May.

Minister Hoskins, it has been a great honour and a humbling experience to explore with caregivers their needs. I look forward to moving forward with you and your government to provide the support that will help caregivers thrive.

Sincerely,

Janet Beed