Receiving care at home

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by Maire Sinha and Amanda Bleakney

[Highlights]

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• Just over 2 million Canadians received care in 2012
• Most care receivers are women
• Mental illness was the single most common reason for care
• Men and women report similar conditions as reasons for care
• Four in ten care receivers report their health condition as severe
• Family and friends most common source of support
• Professional help more common for fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s disease and mental illness
• Types of care from family and friends differ from professional services
• Care receivers typically receive help with many different types of activities
• Care recipients typically receive 7 hours of weekly care from family and friends
• Intensity of help highest for spousal care
• Care recipients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia received the most hours of care
• Severity increases hours of family or friend care, but less so for professional care
• Most care receivers have been receiving help for over a year
• Emotional support not as common for those relying solely on professional care
• Most care receivers reported enough help, but not always from the source of their choice
• Summary
• Data source
• References
• Notes

Text begins

In recent decades, there has been a growing shift away from institutional forms of care for Canadians with chronic health conditions or aging needs to an increased reliance on care within the home (Keefe, Hawkins and Fancy 2013). This emphasis on home care has accompanied changes in Canada’s age structure, with seniors representing a growing segment of the population, combined with the emergent preference for ‘aging in place’ - remaining at one’s home regardless of age or ability (Pynoos, Nishita, Cicero, and Caraviello 2008).

Receiving care at home is often considered a desirable option for Canadians requiring chronic, palliative or rehabilitative care. Many times, this is because they feel more at ease in familiar surroundings and are able to maintain some sense of independence (HHCA 2010). While the extent and nature of help needed and received can vary, so too can the source of care. Some care recipients^Note 1 receive help exclusively from family members, friends and neighbours, while others will combine this care with professional services. Finally, another segment may solely rely on professional help to meet their needs.

Using the 2012 General Social Survey (GSS), this report profiles care receiving in Canada, providing an understanding of Canadians who rely on care in the home.^Note 2 Included in this discussion is an examination of the reasons for care, the types of people providing help, and the nature and intensity of care. The report concludes with a short discussion of satisfaction with the care received.

Just over 2 million Canadians received care in 2012

According to the 2012 GSS, 8% of Canadians aged 15 years and older received some form of care at home in the previous 12 months. This translates to 2.2 million Canadians relying on help to cope with a long-term health condition, disability or age-related needs.  

These Canadians are a diverse group. They are not only seniors but also young and middle-aged adults.  In 2012, just under one-third (29%) of care receivers were less than 45 years of age. Among this group were young under 25 years of age. They accounted for one in ten Canadians receiving some type of assistance in their own home (Chart 1). Another one in ten care receivers were between the ages of 25 and 34 years.   

Nevertheless, as with previous findings, care receivers were still most commonly in their later years. One-quarter (27%) were in their mid-70s or older, with just less than half of this group aged 85 years or above.  

Description for Chart 1

Most care receivers are women

A slight majority (56%) of care receivers were women, partly reflecting their longer life expectancies and corresponding greater representation as seniors. Women accounted for 58% of all care receivers aged 65 to 74, and 65% of care receivers aged 75 and older.

Women’s higher representation as care receivers was not restricted to the senior years. Women represented the majority of care receivers for nearly all age groups, with the exception of the youngest. Between the ages of 15 and 34, men represented the slight majority of care receivers at 55%.

Mental illness was the single most common reason for care

The reasons underlying the need for care can vary.^Note 3In 2012, mental health issues were the single most common, with one in seven Canadians (14%) reporting receiving care as a result of depression, schizophrenia, or other mental illness (Chart 2). Other common reasons for care included accident-related injuries (10%), aging needs (9%), cardio-vascular disease (9%), arthritis (8%), and cancer (8%). 

Description for Chart 2

Somewhat different reasons for care emerged for younger and older care receivers. Mental illness became much less common as people aged, with the reasons for care diversifying. For instance, while over one-third (35%) of care receivers under 25 years of age identified mental illness as the leading reason for care, this was the case for 12% of care receivers aged 55 to 64. This older group was equally as likely to say they were getting help to deal with cancer (13%).

Furthermore, mental illness was rarely mentioned as a reason for care among the senior population (2%^E).  Aging needs was the single most common reason for care among care receivers aged 65 years and older (23%).

Men and women report similar conditions as reasons for care

Men and women had similar reasons for receiving care. Notably, they were equally as likely to be receiving care for the two most common health conditions: mental illness and accident-related injuries.

A few gender differences were evident, yet these could be explained by age-related illnesses and gender-specific health conditions. Women were more likely than men to be receiving care for aging needs and arthritis, both related to the greater share of women as seniors. Other gender differences in reasons for care may be explained by differences in risk of health conditions. For instance, fibromyalgia, a condition typically affecting women, was almost exclusively a reason for care among women, while cardiovascular disease was a more common reason for care among men.

Four in ten care receivers report their health condition as severe

Canadians receiving care for a long-term health condition^Note 4 were asked about the severity of their condition. This could be related to their level of pain, prognosis, the chronic nature of the condition, and/or physical or mental capacity. Few care receivers reported a mild condition (18%) and most indicated that their condition was either moderate (38%) or severe (42%).  The proportion reporting a severe condition was higher for certain health conditions, including fibromyalgia (67%), back problems (61%), arthritis (48%) and cancer (48%).

Family and friends most common source of support

Receiving care can come from a variety of sources.  Most times, care receivers relied on the help of family and friends (88%), though half of these care receivers also received professional services. Relatively few Canadians (12%) relied on professional services alone.

For those relying on family and friends, nearly seven in 10 had more than one person helping them. Not unexpectedly, the closest family relationships were most often identified as the primary sources of care. In 2012, 39% of Canadians were primarily receiving help from a spouse or common-law partner, while 24% were receiving care primarily from a grown child and 19% from a parent (Chart 3). The least common caregivers were extended family members or siblings at 10%, and friends or neighbours at 8%.

Description for Chart 3

Overall, seven in ten care receivers lived in the same home as their primary caregiver. Virtually all spouses (98%) lived together, as did 78% of those primarily receiving care from a parent, 46% receiving care from a grown child and 33% receiving care from a friend.

Professional help more common for fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s disease and mental illness

The use of professional services, namely paid workers or organizations, may be influenced by an array of factors, such as need, availability of family and friend supports, cost and financial assistance. In general, professionals can be either licensed health professionals, such as nurses and physical therapists, or non-medical personnel whose role is to provide help with ‘activities of daily living’ (World Health Organization n.d.).

According to the 2012 GSS, professional services were generally more common for care receivers with certain health conditions. Care receivers with fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and mental illness were most likely to have used professional services in the previous year, while those with back problems were the least likely to have done so (Chart 4).

Description for Chart 4

There was no difference in the use of professional services depending on the severity of the health condition. That is, care receivers with a severe or mild condition were equally as likely to receive professional help (61% versus 58%).

Types of care from family and friends differ from professional services

In addition to the source of care, care receivers were asked about the types of care they received. These responses were provided separately for family or friend-based care and professional services, due to the distinct differences in these two sources of support.

For family or friend-based care, receiving help with transportation topped the list of helping activities. Eight in ten care receivers (83%) had assistance with travel for running errands, attending medical appointments, or participating in social events. Help with indoor domestic tasks, as well as home maintenance or outdoor work were also very common, at 67% and 53%, respectively (Chart 5).  

Description for Chart 5

In comparison, the types of help received from professional services were more often medical in nature. Half (49%) of those receiving professional help had help changing bandages, measuring blood pressure, performing heart monitor tests, or other medical tests or treatments. Professional help for indoor domestic tasks, such as meal preparation and laundry, was a distant second at 30%, followed by receiving help with personal care, such as bathing, dressing or hair care (22%).

The home care services provided by professionals likely reflect their distinct roles and mandates, which may place limits on the types of help provided. For instance, help with transportation is often beyond the scope of their prescribed duties, and such activities may not be covered by employer insurance.  

Care receivers typically receive help with many different types of activities

Receiving care often involved help with more than one type of activity. Typically, Canadians receiving help from family and friends had assistance with a median of three different activities, such as a combination of help with transportation, indoor domestic tasks, home maintenance and personal care. Seldom did family or friends help with a single task (16%). In fact, over half of care receivers (53%) reported having help with two to four tasks (Chart 6). Another 31% had help with five or more tasks.

Description for Chart 6

Generally speaking, professional services provided help with fewer activities. Care receivers typically had help with a median of two activities from professionals. Indeed, help with a single activity was by far the most common for professional care, with half of care receivers (49%) reporting assistance in one area, such as medical or personal care. With each additional task, the share of professionals consistently decreased, meaning that very few care receivers (6%) were receiving professional help with five or more activities.

Care recipients typically receive 7 hours of weekly care from family and friends

Often closely tied to the number and range of tasks is the intensity of care, that is, the number of weekly hours of care. Overall, a median of 7 hours of care per week was reported by recipients of family or friend-based care. This weekly commitment of family and friends rose to 9 hours per week when care receivers had assistance with four types of tasks, and to 20 hours per week when care involved at least five or more different types of tasks.

Overall, professional care involved fewer hours of care than family or friend-based care. A median of 2 hours per week of professional care was reported by Canadians relying either partly or fully on professional services. No difference in the hours of professional care emerged whether the care recipient exclusively relied on professionals or supplemented this care with help from family and friends.  

A number of factors may explain the difference in intensity of care provided by family and friends, and professionals. Care from family and friends typically involves a greater number of tasks, the caregiver may live in the same home, the caregiver may be more likely to have emotional bonds and/or perceived or actual obligations, and this care often involves multiple family and friend caregivers. In addition, the care receiver may not have financial resources for greater professional care.

Intensity of help highest for spousal care

For those receiving help from family and friends, variations in intensity existed based on the care receiver’s relationship with their primary caregiver. The hours of care were highest for spousal care. A median of 9 hours per week was reported by those receiving spousal care, 2 hours more than the median for family and friend care. Parents and children of caregivers reported the next greatest number of hours at 6^E hours per week, followed by other family members, such as siblings and extended family (4^E hours per week), and friends (4^E hours per week).

Care recipients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia received the most hours of care

The number of weekly hours of care was much higher for  Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Care recipients typically reported 37^E hours a week of family or friend care. On the other hand, mental illness had below average weekly hours of family or friend-based care,  at 3 hours.  Part of the lower hours of care may be explained by need, as well as the supplementation with professional services. When care receivers did not have any help from professional services, the median hours of care from family and friends increased to 7^E hours for those with mental illness.

Mental illness also had the lowest intensity of professional care, despite being a condition with a higher than average likelihood of professional care overall.  There was no significant difference in the hours of professional services based on whether this care was combined with help from family or friends.

Severity increases hours of family or friend care, but less so for professional care

The severity of the health condition generally meant more hours of family or friend care. Overall, care receivers identifying a mild health condition reported about 4 hours of care per week, rising to 7 hours per week for a moderate condition, and 10 hours for a severe health condition. The severity of the health condition had a slight impact on hours of professional care. Those with a mild health condition received a median of one hour^E of care per week, which rose to two hours of care for those with a severe health condition.

Most care receivers have been receiving help for over a year

While the intensity of care was measured in relation to the preceding 12 month-period, the vast majority (91%) had been receiving some form of help from family or friends for more than a year. In fact, about one in three care receivers (29%) had been receiving care from their primary caregiver for a decade or more. Receiving care for this period of time was more common among care receivers suffering from neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (46%) and those dealing with age-related needs (39%).

Emotional support not as common for those relying solely on professional care

Coping with a long-term illness or the challenges associated with advanced age can be emotionally difficult. Care receivers were asked whether they received emotional support. Overall, three-quarters (74%) indicated that a family or friend spent time with them, engaged in conversation, cheered them up or provided other forms of emotional support. Those receiving care from a combination of family, friends, and professionals were most likely to say that they were emotionally supported (80%), closely followed by those receiving care exclusively from family members and friends (75%).

For Canadians receiving help solely from professionals, emotional support was not as common. Over half (54%) said that they did not receive any emotional support from family and friends in the last 12 months. They were also unlikely to say that emotional help came from professionals, with just over one-quarter (28%) reporting that their professional caregivers were a source of emotional support.

Most care receivers reported enough help, but not always from the source of their choice

Regardless of the source of care, most care receivers (84%) felt that they received the care or help they needed in the past 12 months. At times, however, care receivers expressed a desire for another source of care. In 2012, 20% of those exclusively receiving care from family and friends would have rather had professional help and 15% of those exclusively receiving professional care would have rather had family or friend support.

Although the overall satisfaction with the balance of help from family, friends and professionals care was high (82%), care receivers who were dissatisfied stated that they would have preferred more professional help. In particular, 79% of dissatisfied care receivers said they needed more professional help. Another 18%^E said they would have preferred more assistance from family and friends.

Summary

Receiving care at home was a reality for 2.2 million Canadians or 8% of the Canadian population aged 15 years and over. Senior care receivers represented the largest segment of care receivers. Unlike their younger counterparts who were most often coping with mental illness, senior care recipients often received help to deal with age-related needs.  Overall, mental illness was the most commonly reported reason for care, followed by accident-related injuries, age-related needs and cardiovascular disease.

In most cases, care receivers relied on the help of family and friends, though they often combined this care with help from professionals. Few Canadians relied on professional services alone. In general, care from family members or friends tended to differ from help from professionals, involving a greater range and number of tasks, and differing in nature and intensity.

Most felt that they received the care or help they needed in the past 12 months and did not prefer other sources of care. However, a need for greater professional services was mentioned for those who were dissatisfied with the balance of help from family, friends and professionals.

Data source

This article is based on Cycle 26 of the General Social Survey (GSS) on “Caregiving and Care receiving”. The objectives of this survey are to provide estimates of caregiving and care receiving in Canada and the characteristics of care receivers and caregivers.

Sampling

The target population included all persons 15 years and older living in the ten provinces of Canada, excluding full-time residents of institutions. In 2012, all respondents were interviewed by telephone. Households without telephones or with only cellular phone service were excluded. Based on the most recent Residential Telephone Services Survey, conducted in 2010, these two groups combined represented approximately 14% of the target population. This proportion may be higher for 2012 due to the likely increase in cellular-only households. Survey estimates were adjusted (weighted) to represent all persons in the target population, including those without telephones. Once a household was contacted, an individual 15 years or older was randomly selected to respond to the survey. The sample size in 2012 was 23,093 respondents.

Data collection

Data collection took place from March 2012 to January 2013 inclusively. Computer assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) was used to collect data. Respondents were interviewed in the official language of their choice. Proxy interviews were permitted. These represented 4% of all interviews.

Response rates

The overall response rate was 65.7%. Types of non-response included respondents who refused to participate, could not be reached, or could not speak English or French. Survey estimates were weighted to represent the non-institutionalized Canadian population aged 15 years or over.

Data limitations

As with any household survey, there are some data limitations. The results are based on a sample and are therefore subject to sampling error. Somewhat different results might have been obtained if the entire population had been surveyed. This article uses the coefficient of variation (CV) as a measure of the sampling error. Any estimate that has a high CV (over 33.3%) has not been published because the estimate is too unreliable. In these cases, the symbol ‘F’ is used in place of an estimate in the figures and data tables. An estimate that has a CV between 16.6 and 33.3 should be used with caution and the symbol ‘E’ is referenced with the estimate. Where descriptive statistics and cross-tabular analysis were used, statistically significant differences were determined based on a p value of 5%.

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Notes