What Is Caregiving? | Groupe Des Aidants du Sud-Ouest

What is Caregiving?

For many years, caregiving was understood in a limited or unclear way. Over the years, organizations dedicated to caregiving have advocated to the government for a broader and more accurate recognition of caregivers. One of their key goals has been to make the definition of a caregiver more inclusive in policies related to home support (Ministry of Health and Social Services, 2003).

  • Do you help a loved one with their daily tasks, such as accompanying them to appointments or helping them with groceries?
  • Do you support a loved one by preparing their meals, organizing their medications, or helping manage their finances?
  • Do you spend time assisting a loved one with tasks they can no longer do on their own, such as taking care of the house or moving around?
  • Do you help coordinate your loved one’s healthcare by accompanying them to medical appointments or ensuring their general well-being?
  • Do you provide moral or emotional support to a loved one going through tough times or with specific needs?

If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, you are likely a caregiver.

To encompass the many forms that this role can take, various organizations, along with Proche aidance Québec, have collaborated to create a comprehensive and inclusive definition:

A caregiver is defined as anyone who provides support to one or more people in their circle who have a temporary or permanent disability, whether physical, psychological, psychosocial, or otherwise, regardless of their age or living situation, and with whom they share an emotional bond, whether family-related or not.

The support provided may be continuous or occasional, short- or long-term, and is given on a non-professional basis, freely, knowingly, and revocably. The goal is to help improve the quality of life of the person receiving care, whether at home or in another living environment. This support can take many forms, such as transportation, help with personal care or household tasks, emotional support, or coordinating healthcare and services. It can also have financial impacts on the caregiver or limit their ability to take care of their own physical and mental health or manage other social and family responsibilities (Bill 56, adopted October 28, 2020).

A Personal and Universal Experience

Did you know that one-third of Quebec’s population is currently caring for a loved one (L’Appui, 2022)? Behind this statistic lies a multitude of unique human experiences. Every caregiving journey is valuable, offering its own key lessons. This is why GASO is proud to share the generous testimonials of some of our members. We hope their words will inspire you, guide you, and resonate with your own caregiving experiences. At GASO, we believe in the strength and significance of each of your stories.

Statistics That Speak

In 2016,

%

of Quebec adults were involved in caregiving for seniors (L’Appui, 2016).

In 2016,

%

of caregivers who identify as such provide between 10 and 19 hours of care each week (L’Appui, 2016).

%

of caregivers hold a job, facing the daily challenges of balancing work, family, their caregiving role, and their personal life (Proche aidance Québec, 2018).

%

of caregivers care for two people simultaneously (Proche aidance Québec, 2018).

%

of caregivers care for three or more people at the same time (Proche aidance Québec, 2018).

%

of caregivers report that they felt they had no choice but to take on this role (Proche aidance Québec, 2018).

Our Journey of Accomplishments

Curious about the impact we’ve made over the years? Take a look at our annual reports and other key publications to gain a deeper understanding of our commitment and growth within the community. These resources offer a detailed look at our achievements and the path we’ve followed since 1995!

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