The number of young caregivers in Canada is on the rise and they need support to deal with the high levels of anxiety, stress and guilt they’re experiencing, people in Thunder Bay heard during a presentation hosted by Lakehead University’s Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health.
Studies show that just under two million Canadians between the ages of 15 and 29 are acting in a caregiving role, says Lisa Loiselle, associate director of the Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program at the University of Waterloo.
“I’m very surprised,” Loiselle said. “There’s not a lot of people that identify, I believe, as a young carer. A lot of people are born into a situation where somebody in their family has an exceptional need, so it’s a family norm to them.”
This story continues at cbc.ca.