Issue link: http://clhia.uberflip.com/i/206673
place greater demands on the long-term care system, including informal caregiving. While new generations of older Canadians may be relatively active and healthy in comparison to past generations, they are nevertheless more prone to multiple and chronic ailments. Compassionate care benefits protect an employee's position and through employment insurance pays up to 6 weeks of leave to provide end-of-life care to a family member, extended family or close friend or neighbor. The federal government offers several tax credits options depending on individual circumstances. The provinces and territories offer a variety of tax credit programs where the eligibility and total amounts vary depending on factors such as age, relationship with care receiver, time spent caring and income. However, we believe that the current benefits available are not sufficient to appropriately support caregivers and the costs they incur in caring for a loved one. Therefore, policy action must be taken to provider greater support to caregivers and must recognize the challenges experienced by caregivers, both financially and emotionally, and those being cared for to ensure neither will experience undue financial setbacks. Respite services provide an important break to caregivers through a range of services such as adult day care, in-home respite care, and overnight or longer-term respite stays in facilities. While many Canadians have access to respite programs, the availability and accessibility vary widely across the provinces. In addition, caregivers may have limited support to help them to identify and meet their needs. Given the critical role they play, greater access to respite services and support services in general would benefit informal caregivers, those being cared for and the health care system. Recommendations The CLHIA recommends that federal provincial and territorial governments provide greater tax relief for Canadians that incur expenses to support the long-term care needs of others through informal care. This could include allowing tax credits for expenses incurred to provide informal care. The CLHIA recommends that federal, provincial, territorial governments and stakeholders work collaboratively to provide greater access to and awareness of respite care services for informal caregivers to help manage the important and challenging role they play. Private delivery of these services will help to address shortages being faced. Unlocking the Power of Volunteerism The baby boomer generation represents a very large potential pool of energetic and capable human resources to help provide support to individuals and their communities. This can be through volunteering or through continued paid work. Seniors themselves benefit from a strong voluntary sector both as contributors and beneficiaries. Given the aging demographics of Canada it is reasonable to expect that there will be a growing number of seniors that will want to remain active and will be looking for ways to help others. For example, in 15