Canadians care: How willing and able are Canadians to help those with a life-limiting illness

The Canadian population is aging. In 2021, Canadian seniors (65 years and older) constituted almost one-fifth (19%) of the overall population. In addition, the number of people living with life-limiting illnesses, including cancer, is increasing. 

Consequently, the demand for health and social care services is rising. However, the health and community care workforce is struggling to keep up with the growing demand, especially as it relates to end-of-life care. In the winter of 2024, Statistics Canada’s Canadian Social Survey (collected from January 26 to March 10, 2024) included a module on Compassionate Communities. We asked Canadians what types of help they can or would be willing to provide to a close family member, a friend or a member of their community living with a serious illness. This is what they told us. 

Almost 1 in 10 Canadians provide care to someone with a serious illness 

Almost 1 in 10 Canadians (9%; 2.8 million people) reported having a serious illness in early 2024 and over one-quarter (28%; 9.3 million people) knew someone with a serious illness. Meanwhile, 1 in 10 (10%) Canadians said they were providing care to someone who has a serious illness in early 2024, while one-third (33%) had provided unpaid care or support for someone in the past with a serious illness. 

Approximately three in four Canadians willing and able to provide care for a close family member with a serious illness

Most Canadians reported being willing and able to provide care for a close family member with a serious illness. Helping out with household activities (77%) was the leading type of support Canadians were willing and able to provide, followed by meal preparation (73%) and managing care (73%). Men were most likely to provide transportation (76%) while women were most likely to prepare food (76%).

About two-thirds of Canadians willing and able to provide support to a close friend with serious illness

Approximately two in three Canadians reported that they were willing and able to provide care for a close friend with a serious illness, although the types of help differed.

Canadians were most likely to report being willing and able to provide transportation (67%), psychological/emotional support (65%) or lend a hand around the home (63%) for a close friend if they were living with a serious illness.

Just over two in five Canadians willing to offer a ride to someone in their community with a serious illness

Fewer Canadians expressed a willingness and ability to provide care for someone in their community with a serious illness, including providing transportation (41%), psychological/emotional support (38%) or helping out around the home (35%).

Not having enough time is the biggest challenge Canadians face when caring for someone living with a serious illness

We also asked Canadians what barriers or challenges they faced when providing care for someone living with a serious illness. Not having enough time (38%) was the leading response, followed by work demands and other responsibilities (36%) and financial costs (35%). 

Women (55%) were more likely than men (45%) to strongly agree or agree that they have flexibility in their schedule to care for someone living with a serious illness.

More than half of Canadians not aware of the support available to help them care for someone with a serious illness

Just over three in five (61%) Canadians disagreed or strongly disagreed that they were aware of the support available in their community to help those living with a serious illness.

More than half (52%) of Canadians said the first person they would reach out to if they had questions regarding the support they were providing to someone with a serious illness would be a friend or a relative.

Just under half (47%) of Canadians reported that easy access to home care services for those with a serious illness would be the most useful support in helping them care for someone with a serious illness.

Over two in five (44%) Canadians reported that it would be useful to receive education and training to care for someone with a serious illness.

Over three in four Canadians strongly agree or agree that caring for those who have a serious illness is a government responsibility

Almost all (98%) Canadians strongly agree or agree that it is important for those living with a serious illness to have support from their family and friends. Nevertheless, over three in four (77%) Canadians strongly agree or agree that caring for those with a serious illness is primarily the responsibility of the government. 

While most Canadians believe that providing care for someone with a serious illness is primarily the role of government, individuals are also stepping up to provide care. Understanding people’s views, abilities, and willingness to provide help to someone with a serious illness can help communities and organizations in implementing Compassionate Community models across Canada. These insights will also help the government to identify areas where supports are needed.