NO ONE WALKS ALONE, WE WALK WITH YOU
In 2012, approximately 11 million (38%) Canadians aged 15 and older had at least one immediate or extended family member who had a mental health problem, defined as problems with their emotions, mental health or use of alcohol or drugs. About 1 in 5 (22%) Canadians had more than on immediate or extended family member with a mental health problem – Source: Statistics Canada, Health at a Glance, October 2012
75% of care is provided by unpaid caregivers, which equates to approximately $26–$72 billion in unpaid work per year. This reduces costs to healthcare systems, reduces pressure on home and community care services and allows individuals to receive the care they need in their own homes. It is clear that without caregivers, Canada’s healthcare and social systems would collapse – Source: Caregiving in Canada: Petro Canada Caremakers Foundation Some facts regarding caregiving in Canada –
8+ million Canadians are caregivers that provide the equivalent support of 2.8 million full-time paid care providers each year – Source: Canadian Caregiver Summit, November 2023
The Mental Illness Caregivers' Association (MICA) believes more needs to be done to ensure people living with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders have access to a safe place to live while allowing them to make choices that meet their needs and personal wishes
Based on what we heard, we propose a caregiver-focused approach … click here for more
The challenges are significant: affordable housing is extremely hard to come by, is hard to maintain for people living on the margins, there are few new listings, the average rental is too expensive, demand outstrips supply because there are many unhoused and untreated people, waiting lists are interminable, and funding is inadequate.
The last year or so, we invited caregivers to share both their stories and their concerns regarding the need for sustainable housing options for those they care for - based on what we heard, we propose a caregiver-focused approach including a third-party resource that supports caregivers planning for the housing needs of those they care for – now and when they are gone !
What is at risk? - the collapse of supports critical to the mental and physical well-being of those we care for!
As the current mental illness caregiver community ages, most would agree that it is becoming increasingly more urgent to plan for "when they are gone" … click here for more
As the current mental illness caregiver community ages, most would agree that it is becoming increasingly more urgent to plan for “when they are gone” In many cases, the caregiver is the only source of supports and without a plan going forward now and for when the caregiver is gone, our most vulnerable are at risk of increased: 911 calls, visits to ER, hospitalizations, substance abuse, isolation and loneliness, food insecurity, homelessness, contact with the law, arrest, and incarceration.
OUR ASK - We invite you to engage in a dialogue focused on doing what we can to ensure all caregivers caring for persons living with mental illness and/or substance use disorder have a housing plan
Let us get things started by asking you to share your comments regarding the proposed caregiver-focused approach … click here for more
Let us get things started by asking you to share your comments regarding the attached and as summarized below:
Establish a third-party resource that supports caregivers in the development of a housing plan and its implementation when the caregiver is gone including planning focused on:
What next - it is now more urgent than ever for the Ministries of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Health and Long-Term Care and Children, Community and Social Services to work together to ensure all caregivers have a housing plan that addresses both current and future housing needs of the most vulnerable in our community
Based on the response to our ask we will prepare a report based on what we heard and seek the support of the Ministries of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Children, Community and Social Services and Health and Long-term care … click here for more
Based on the response to our ask we will prepare a report on what we heard and seek the support of:
A Third-party resource with a mandate to support caregivers caring for persons living with mental illness and or substance use disorder planning for - now and when they are gone
A mandate that provides those they care for continuing access to safe and secure housing and on-going personal supports
Knowledge management
Supporting efforts among selected partners directed at identifying evidence based best practices in support of persons living with a mental illness and/or substance use disorders
Crisis management
Establishing a network of ‘first response’
Partnerships, collaboration and integration
Supporting efforts focused on partnerships, collaboration and integration
Awareness, understanding and empowerment
Ensuring all concerned understand and are aware of the needs of and challenges being faced by caregivers and those they care
Supporting documents:
For a more detailed discussion of the proposed mandate click here
Seeking the support of our community ….
We reached out to several organizations in our community asking them to consider entering into a collaborative partnership with us as we advocate for the support and participation of the provincial government
Links to other initiatives ….
Going forward our intent is to link our efforts to initiatives focused on the inclusion of caregivers in the circle of care as essential care partners and as formally recognized through a caregiver identification (ID) tool
We would welcome your comments and your support as we all do what we can to support caregivers planning for when they are gone
Supporting documents:
Please share your comments/thoughts with us and then click SEND
MICA