A new study using data from the 2012 General Social Survey found that the proportion of Canadians receiving care was similar across the country. The only exceptions were Newfoundland and Labrador, where the proportion was higher at 9%, and Alberta, where it was lower at 5%.
Overall, seniors aged 75 and older were the most common care receivers, accounting for one in four Canadians receiving help at home. Younger seniors, aged 65 to 74, represented 13% of care receivers, a proportion similar to that of Canadians aged 55 to 64.
Young adults under the age of 25 accounted for about 10% of all care recipients. Unlike seniors, who were most often coping with aging needs, young care recipients were most often dealing with mental illness, such as depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.
A slight majority (56%) of care receivers were women, partly reflecting their longer life expectancies and corresponding greater representation as seniors. Their reasons for care paralleled those of men, though they were more often receiving care for aging needs and arthritis.
To view the full study, please visit Statistics Canada.
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