Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

The population of Canada is aging rapidly; the number of adults aged 65 and over will approach 5 million by 2011 and may exceed 9 million by 2031. Most of these older adults will develop health issues, but despite these health issues, various levels of government acknowledge that seniors should be supported to 'age in place'. However, to age in place seniors with health issues require assistance, a large component which is provided by family and friends, the so-called 'informal caregivers', many of whom are seniors themselves. At this juncture we do not need to debate, or prove further, that caregiving creates considerable strain on a large segment of the senior population. The crucial next steps should be directed at supporting caregivers. From a public health perspective, there have been a number of suggestions to ensure the health of caregivers, including national programs (such as a national respite program) as well as health promotion interventions. This would enable caregivers to best support the care recipients, rather than relying on reactive approaches to restore caregiver health. We will host a Café to discuss these issues with the general public. The objectives of our Café are to: -Engage audience members in a discussion about caregiving, including: -the importance of caregiving -how caregiving impacts on the health and well-being of Canadians -Examine how communities can best support the needs of caregivers -Identify knowledge gaps