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Financial Compensation or Home Help Services: Examining Differences among Program Recipients*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Janice M. Keefe  and
Pamela Fancey
Janice M. Keefe
Affiliation:
Mount Saint Vincent University
Pamela Fancey
Affiliation:
Mount Saint Vincent University
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Abstract

Financial compensation for family members who provide informal care to elderly kin has frequently been discussed but rarely implemented in Canada. One exception is the Nova Scotia Home Life Support Program, which financially compensates family members for the care of the elderly. This study explores differences among caregivers who receive formal services, specifically, financial compensation or home help services. Financially compensated caregivers tend to be younger females who live in non-urban areas and co-reside with the care receiver. In comparison to caregivers who receive home help services, these paid caregivers report a reduction in financial worry but have greater involvement in the care of the elderly and higher levels of time dependence burden. Before implementing financial compensation policies, research which specifically investigates the effect of these programs on caregivers is needed.

Résumé

L'octroi d'une compensation financière aux membres de la famille qui assurent des soins à des parents âgés a fait l'objet de fréquents débats au Canada, mais n'a été implanté qu'en de très rares occasions. L'une de ces exceptions est le Nova Scotia Home Life Support Program, qui accorde une compensation financière aux personnes qui doivent s'occuper d'un parent âgé. La présente étude explore les différences entre les soignants qui bénéficient de services officiels, soit une compensation financière ou des services de soutien à domicile. Les soignants rémunérés sont dans la plupart des cas des jeunes femmes qui habitent hors des zones urbaines et qui résident avec la personne qui reçoit les soins. Comparativement aux soignants qui reçoivent des services d'aide à domicile, les soignants rémunérés signalent une atténuation de leurs inquiétudes de nature économique, mais sont engagés plus à fond dans les soins prodigués et ont une charge plus élevée quant au temps consacré aux soins. Avant d'implanter des programmes de compensation financière pour les soignants, il faudra done procéder à des études portant expressément sur l'impact de ces programmes sur les soignants.

Keywords

Paid CaregiversFinancial Compensation ProgramsHome Care PolicySoignants rémunérésprogrammes de compensation financièrepolitique de soins à domicile
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 16 , Issue 2 , Été/Summer 1997 , pp. 254 - 278
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1997

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