BC’s sandwich generation facing challenges: poll

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Chances are you are part of the sandwich generation, and it’s not very easy. An Insights West survey suggest the majority of British Columbians fit the demographic and it includes anyone who is sandwiched between taking care of their kids and their aging parents.

Daniel Fontaine, CEO of the BC Care Providers Association says there’s a need for more investment in BC’s seniors’ care system. “The people who are providing that care are really challenged. and in fact only one in about 10 that were surveyed, did not indicate that they were having any challenges, so that’s fairly significant,” says Fontaine.

“It just confirms what I’ve been hearing in social settings and it’s very hard to go anywhere today without somebody recounting a story about having to try to navigate the seniors’ care system, and trying to find a place for mom or dad, or trying to find additional home care or long-term care”

The BC Care Providers Association is planning to release a report and recommendations next week.

The following survey data is drawn from a BCCPA factum:

Are you aware of anyone in your personal network who is juggling both caring for their children and aging parents?

– Almost half of respondents (48%) know someone who is in this situation, with a higher proportion observed among those aged 35-54 (54%) and those in the highest income bracket (57%). Over the course of the next ten years, do you anticipate taking care of both a child (under 19 years of age) and an elderly parent?

– Three-in-ten respondents (29%) anticipate taking care of both in the next ten years, with a higher proportion observed among those aged 18-34 (48%) and Metro Vancouverites (35%).

Based on your awareness of your friend or acquaintance juggling both the care of children and aging parents, which of the following best describes how well do you think they are coping?

– Two thirds of respondents (65%) say their friend or acquaintance is doing “not too well” or “not well at all”—including 73% of those in the Fraser Valley.

How confident are you that the care you might need for a parent in the future will be available when you need it?

– More than half of respondents (56%) are “not too confident” or “not confident at all” that the care they might need in the future will be there for them. Thinking about your current situation, how likely is it that you or your loved one will have access to a publicly funded bed in a care home or home care when it is needed?

– Only 29% think it is “very likely” or “somewhat likely” that they will have access to what they might need—a proportion that drops to 24% among men, 22% among those aged 18-to-34 and 19% for residents of Northern BC.

As a person who is currently taking care of a child (under 19 years of age) and a parent, are you experiencing any of the challenges described below?

– More than half of respondents say they have difficulty in finding time to visit due to work/busy schedules (64%), keeping informed about the health status of a parent (60%) and affording the costs associated with caring for an aging parent (56%).

– Fewer than half of respondents also mention long wait lists to access a care home or for home care (40%), difficulty getting access to a care home located close to where you live (36%) and inadequate access to a care home for seniors (28%).”

In reference to the upcoming provincial election, will the development of a comprehensive plan to address the aging population impact the way you vote?

– About three-in-five British Columbians (58%) say this plan will influence the way they vote, including 70% of those aged 55 and over and 67% of those in the Fraser Valley.

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