A Canadian based study (2009) concluded caregivers in all provinces need greater levels of supports. Financial and training were the top two areas identified consistently across all provinces even though programs differ provincially.

As for financial support a great many of caregiver were unaware of the existence of the Compassionate Care Benefit delivered under the Employment Insurance Program. One of it drawbacks however, is once a family is deemed to qualify for benefits there is a 2-week unpaid waiting period before the EI benefits begin to be paid.

Personal support workers, who through outsourced programs are meant to assist caregivers often are lacking in formal training. Currently there are only three provinces; Alberta, Nova Scotia and Ontario, who offer diploma public support workers.

These provinces could play a lead role in developing and implementing a national training curriculum for home care and personal support workers. These efforts would have the added benefits of raising awareness of the value of home care and personal support.

Personal Support Workers can provide home management, such as shopping, house cleaning and meal preparation as well as provide personal care, such as dressing, personal hygiene, mobility and other routine activities of daily living.

Overall, the study concluded that caregivers need support in the day-to-day activities of providing care. Respite services, additional help through the formal home care program, education, information, resources and counseling were a few of the areas of concern. Caregivers also need help finding their way through the complex health and social services systems.

The study emphasized the need for provincial governments to work with personal support and home care workers to establish common training standards and provide mechanism to better equip caregivers to understand the supports available to them.

Bottom line to better prepare for the future of Canadian caregivers, provincial governments need to develop education, creates routes and supports to find information and devices holistic yet adaptable financial supports.