Appendix D: Caregiver supports in other jurisdictions

Nova Scotia

Caregivers Nova Scotia is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors, and staffed by an Executive Director, Research and Operations Coordinator, and five Regional Support Coordinators located throughout the province. The main activities of Caregivers Nova Scotia include:

• Providing information and navigating caregivers to the services they need.
• Providing support to caregivers through one-on-one phone conversations, face-to-face support groups and group phone conversations.
• Providing education through workshops that they develop or co-develop with other organizations.
• Advocating for caregivers to government, on committees, to the media, and others.

Founded over 20 years ago by a group of caregivers, Caregivers Nova Scotia now receives annual operational funding from the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness, and project funding from the Nova Scotia Department of Seniors^{footnote 5[5]}.

Alberta

Caregivers Alberta is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors, and staffed by an Executive Director, three coordinators who oversee education, caregiver navigation and projects, and an office manager. The goals of Caregivers Alberta include:

• Providing programs that meet the information, education, support, networking and advocacy needs of individual caregivers (e.g., one-on-one support and advice over the phone, by email and in person; COMPASS education program; caregiver information sessions).
• Influencing system change at all levels to recognize caregivers and address their needs.
• Raising the profile of and public support for caregivers, their issues and Caregivers Alberta.
• Expanding the reach of Caregivers Alberta to support communities and their caregivers throughout Alberta.

Founded in 2001 by a group of caregivers and focused in Edmonton, Caregivers Alberta has been expanding its reach using partnerships and community collaborations since 2009. In 2013, the organization received a Ministry of Health grant which makes its program available in more than 30 communities across Alberta^{footnote 6[6]}.

Sweden

In Sweden, caring for elderly people is believed to be a social responsibility. In the 1990s, Sweden promoted policies and legislative changes to support family caregivers (Johansson et al. 2011). In 2009, the Swedish Parliament passed a new law obliging municipalities to offer support to persons caring for people with chronic illnesses, elderly people, or people with functional disabilities. National grants have been made available to stimulate the development of municipal-level caregiver services and supports (Johansson et al. 2011).

United Kingdom

Carers UK began as a grassroots movement to make the lives of caregivers better (note: Carers UK uses the term “carer” rather than “caregiver”). As the movement grew, support for caregivers became more formalized. For example, a large group of caregiver organizations compelled government to introduce the Care Act, 2014 which legislates local health authorities to assess caregivers who appear to need support now or in the future (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/23/section/10).

The organization, Carers UK, is a national membership charity for caregivers governed by a board of trustees. Staff include a CEO; Directors in the areas of policy and public affairs, business development and innovation, fundraising, finance and resources; and Directors of Carers in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Carers UK:

• Provides advice, information and support to caregivers by phone and online.
• Connects caregivers to caregiver groups and volunteers in local communities.
• Advocates for caregivers.
• Works with local authorities and other organizations to improve services for caregivers^{footnote 7[7]}.