Informal Caregiver

On October 28, 2020, Bill 56, known as the Act to Recognize and Support Caregivers, came into force. It is the first bill to recognize informal caregivers in Québec!

If you provide support to a member of your immediate circle:

• With whom you share a family connection or an emotional bond;
• Who has an incapacity, whether physical, psychological, psychosocial or other…

And if the support is offered:

• Temporarily or permanently
• Occasionally or continuously
• Short- or long-term
• On a non-professional and volunteer basis
• In a free, enlightened and revocable manner…

And if the support is provided in their home, a seniors’ residence, a long-term care centre, an alternative home or a hospital centre, YOU ARE AN INFORMAL CAREGIVER!

Various professionals within the health and social services sector can attest to an individual’s status as an informal caregiver, including:

• Dieticians/nutritionists
• Occupational therapists
• Nurses
• Physicians
• Speech language pathologists
• Physiotherapists
• Psychoeducators
• Psychologists
• Midwives
• Marriage and family therapists
• Physical rehabilitation therapist
• Social workers

A guide entitled Caregivers: Practical Legal Tools is available on the Éducaloi – Caregivers website. Aimed at caregivers, it contains useful tools and resources on a wide range of topics (reconciling work and caregiving responsibilities, consent to care, access to medical records, assistance measures, etc.).

1. Government of Québec: Webpage that outlines what it means to be a caregiver and that provides information on provincial government resources and support services as well as government caregivers initiatives such as the Act to Recognize and Support Caregivers.  
2. Curateur public du Québec – Assistance measure: The assistance measure allows a person experiencing difficulties to receive assistance, free of charge, from one or two people of their choice. Officially recognized by the Curateur public (public curator), assistants may help adults who require assistance.
3. Commission des normes de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST – Natural caregivers): Information regarding certificates for informal caregivers and workplace support measures.
4. Employer-caregiver work conciliation – Website that provides practical information for caregivers on how to better balance their responsibilities as caregivers and their work life as well as information on financial benefits and assistance programs.
5. L’Appui:The mission ofL’Appui pour les proches aidants is to improve the quality of life of caregivers. In addition to offering direct services to caregivers across Québec, the organization supports the community and the social economy in an effort to broaden and improve the support measures offered to caregivers.
6. Government of Canada – Employment insurance caregiving benefits: Tax credits are available to limit the impact of your role as a caregiver on your personal finances. While there may be similarities between them, each tax credit has its own eligibility requirements and formalities.
7. Proche aidance Québec – Coalition of organizations committed to informal caregivers: Their mission is to improve the quality of life of caregivers across Québec.
8. Éducaloi– Caregivers: Website that addresses various topics such as reconciling work and caregiving responsibilities, consent to care, access to medical records, etc.

• CIUSSS de l’Ouest :