New data offer a snapshot of the scale of informal caregiving across Quebec and the people most likely to shoulder that responsibility.

More than one in four Quebecers aged 15 and over identify as informal caregivers, most supporting someone aged 65 or older. The findings show that women and adults aged 45 to 54 are more likely to take on these roles. They also highlight the reality that caregiving is often balanced with paid work, with most caregivers remaining employed.

These are the findings from the initial results of the Québec Survey on Caregiver Health and Well-being 2024-2025.

McGill University experts are available to comment:

Sylvie Lambert is an Associate Professor at the Ingram School of Nursing and the Canada Research Chair in self-management interventions for patients and their caregivers. She can speak to the growing pressures facing caregviers and how patients often rely on informal support to access and continue certain treatments.

sylvie.lambert [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)

Claire Webster, Founder, Dementia Education Program and Certified Dementia Care Consultant, brings both professional and lived experience as a caregiver. She can speak to the emotional, physical and financial toll of caregiving, as well as the need for greater support and policy change to reduce the burden on caregivers.

claire.webster [at] affiliate.mcgill.ca (English, French)