At some time, now or in the future, most of us will need some kind of care and support—whether as a patient, a caregiver, or a loved one. There are many Canadians of all ages living with a life-limiting illness who rely on our health care systems, as well as the support of unpaid caregivers and loved ones.
Life-limiting illnesses, also referred to as “serious illnesses” throughout this article, are diseases or conditions that cannot be cured and will ultimately shorten a person’s life.
New study launched
Statistics Canada is currently conducting a study, titled “Living with a Life-Limiting Illness: Access to Care and Related Experiences,” to collect important information on the physical, social and emotional needs and experiences of individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their unpaid caregivers in Canada.
Your participation is important
With increasing demands on Canada’s health care systems, it becomes even more important that we understand the care experiences and support needs of some of the most vulnerable in our society: those living with a serious illness.
If you are living with a life-limiting illness or if you have provided unpaid care for someone with a life-limiting illness in the last two years, we want to hear your story.
Your input will help provide information and data for policy makers and researchers to make decisions that improve care, now and in the future.
To participate in the study, please complete the Living with a Life-Limiting Illness: Access to Care and Related Experiences (LLLI-ACRE) electronic questionnaire.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is provided to someone with a life-limiting illness and encompasses all aspects of their care, from pain and symptom management to the emotional and spiritual needs of the person who is ill, their family and loved ones. It is tailored to the individual’s wishes and circumstances and can be provided at any time after diagnosis and while still seeking a cure for disease.
Palliative care is not only for patients approaching the end of life: it can also improve quality of life for patients, and families, at any point in their health care journey.
The Canadian Institute for Health Information found that among those who died in 2021 and 2022, 58% had access to end-of-life care that was considered palliative. This is a fraction of the 2.8 million Canadians who reported having a serious illness in early 2024 and might benefit from a palliative approach to their care aimed at improving their quality of life, even while seeking a cure for their disease and treating their medical symptoms.
Life-limiting illnesses and unpaid care
The number of people living with life-limiting illnesses, including cancer, is increasing. In 1997, there were 126,960 cases of cancer diagnosed in Canada compared with 211,440 in 2017. In addition, the Canadian population continues to age, with seniors (65 years and older) making up 19% of the overall population in 2021, also contributing to the increasing share of Canadians living with a serious illness.
Across Canada in early 2024, 9.3 million people reported knowing someone with a serious illness, while 10% of Canadians said they were providing care to someone who has a serious illness and 33% had provided unpaid care or support for someone in the past with a serious illness. While their work is often invisible, unpaid caregivers play a crucial role not only in the lives of those they care for, but also in the overall Canadian economy and society. A palliative approach to care ensures that they too are supported.
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Contact information
For more information, contact the Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).