Brenda Lenahan shares how the arrival of her son, Cole, nearly a dozen years ago, completely altered her life. “It’s been a significant shift, a massive change from everything that existed before him, as is the case for most parents,” she expressed, adding, “But perhaps even more so.” Living in Tahsis, a small village on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Lenahan explained that Cole was born with a neurodevelopmental condition and faces certain health challenges. Despite the difficulties of caregiving, Lenahan, who also serves as the executive director of the B.C. Complex Kids Society, highlighted that the caregiving system is where the issues lie. “Our kids are not the problem,” she emphasized, “The issue is the lack of support from the system.”
This sentiment is echoed in a recent report from the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE), indicating that caregivers in Canada are under immense financial, physical, and emotional stress, reaching a critical point. The study, conducted between August and October 2025, surveyed 2,262 caregivers across the nation, including individuals providing unpaid care for loved ones with various needs. The report also involved 309 paid care providers and 89 individuals who fulfill both roles. The findings revealed that 77% of Canadian caregivers, including those in British Columbia, have experienced adverse effects on their well-being.
In British Columbia specifically, the report highlighted that 74% of caregivers feel overwhelmed or anxious, while 18% report facing depression. Financially, the situation is challenging, with 65% of B.C. caregivers struggling, and one in five spending over $1,000 monthly on caregiving expenses. The report emphasized the dilemma faced by caregivers, stating, “Caregivers find themselves in a cycle of needing to work more to meet financial demands, while also needing to work less to meet the time demands of care.”
Liv Mendelsohn, the executive director at CCCE, described the scenario as a “perfect storm,” with three-quarters of unpaid caregivers expressing distress and 20% unsure if they can continue, while 75% of paid care workers contemplate leaving the field. The report also revealed that B.C. caregivers access public home care services at a lower rate compared to the rest of Canada, with many feeling unsupported by the government.
Despite an increase in home-support services and the hiring of new home-health workers in British Columbia, advocates argue that public support has not kept up with the demand. Barb MacLean, the executive director of the Family Caregivers of B.C., emphasized the need for a robust care system to support caregivers who are also employed. The report outlined the desire among B.C. caregivers for improved access to home-care services, respite care, mental health support, financial assistance, and simplified access to benefits.
The Ministry of Health acknowledged the importance of caregivers in the health-care system and their role in supporting seniors to stay at home but did not directly address the concerns raised by caregivers. Mendelsohn emphasized the urgent need for change across Canada as the aging population grows, with a significant number of caregivers looking after elderly parents. She highlighted that caregiving responsibilities are expected to increase substantially in the coming years.