“Working Age Caregivers of Quebec’s English-speaking Elderly”: A Profile of Four CSSS Territories in the Montreal Region: Ouest de l’Île, de la Montagne, Cavendish and Dorval-Lachine-Lasalle

According to a 2005 survey, 82.7% of Quebec's English-speakers turn to family and friends in event of illness. The rate of aging is high among Quebec's English-speaking communities. These communities lead all other Canadian official language minority communities in rate of unpaid assistance to seniors. In 2005, there were 78,795 English speakers living in the Montreal region who were 65 and over. Of these, 53,985 lived in the four CSSS territories (Ouest de l’Île, de la Montagne, Cavendish and Dorval-Lachine-Lasalle). For many of Quebec's English-speaking communities, the growing number of seniors coincides with a shrinking middle aged "caregiver generation" resulting in greater caregiving responsibilities falling on fewer shoulders. Emotional, mental and physical health problems arise from complex caring situations and the strains of caring for frail relatives without sufficient formal support. Higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression are common among family members who care for seniors, and caregivers are less likely than non-caregivers to engage in preventative health practices.

August 2010

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