Seniors Advocate says B.C.’s ‘angels of mercy’ need support from government

VICTORIA – Selfless relatives who endure the emotional toll of caring for elderly loved ones require support and need to know where to get that help, says Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie.

Stress levels for the more than 20,000 husbands, wives, sons, daughters, grandchildren, friends and neighbours who volunteer their time to help B.C.’s most vulnerable seniors are among the highest in Canada, said Mackenzie in a report released Monday.

“Without these angels of mercy giving up 19 hours a week or more of their own time our emergency rooms and residential care facilities would be flooded with seniors who cannot live alone without some help,” Mackenzie said at a news conference.

Her 20-page report, Caregivers in Distress, More Respite Needed, concluded unpaid caregivers are not getting the aid they need from government programs set up to provide relief.

The report, which examined health assessments for more than 30,000 B.C. seniors three years ago, found 29 per cent of their caregivers were in distress and that rate rose to 38 per cent for people who care for seniors with complex needs.

But her report also said that most caregivers are not using government-funded programs that aim to offer respite care. The services include adult day-use programs, 30-day respite care stays and home supports where care aids stay with a senior to allow caregivers to run errands and complete tasks beyond helping their loved ones.

The report said 54 per cent of caregivers are looking after people with complex needs and they would benefit from the available government services. However, at the time the survey was taken, only eight per cent used an adult day program in the last seven days, about 50 per cent used home support that week, and only 11 per cent used respite care in past year, the report said.

“We know we are not connecting our distressed caregivers with these programs and the gap between utilization and those who could benefit is stunning,” Mackenzie said.

She said more beds and program spaces may be needed, “but we must ensure that whatever programs we do have that we are connecting the people who need the services with the services we provide.”

Health Minister Terry Lake, was unavailable for an interview, but said in a statement that his ministry is examining the report to determine ways to improve care for seniors.

Opposition New Democrat seniors critic Selina Robinson said caregivers must be made more aware of the services available to them.

“Some of this is about government taking some leadership and making clear what the expectations are and what the priorities ought to be,” said Robinson. “They haven’t done that.”

Mackenzie’s report said data from other provinces indicates enhanced adult supports can cut hospital visits by almost 50 per cent.