A new government action plan for caregivers has just been released by the Quebec government.
The plan outlines the key priorities and concrete measures aimed at fostering awareness and reinforcing support for caregivers across the province.
For example, these measures seek to:
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- Gain a better understanding of the realities faced by caregivers to improve services and measure outcomes
- Support caregivers throughout their journey in navigating the health and social services network
- Strengthen access to direct services, particularly in the areas of respite care and psychosocial support
- Enhance national and regional collaboration around caregiving to generate tangible benefits for caregivers
- Support better living conditions, particularly in terms of balancing caregiving with work or school
Renewed every five years, this plan is part of the Quebec government’s ongoing commitment to continue coordinated efforts to improve the quality of life, health, and well-being of caregivers.
The Observatoire québécois de la proche aidance (Quebec Observatory on Caregiving) works closely with government, non-governmental organizations, and other caregiving stakeholders to provide reliable and objective information on caregiving through observation, monitoring, analysis and knowledge sharing.
Quebec is the only Canadian jurisdiction with a structured observatory dedicated to caregiving. It acts as a central hub connecting research, practice, and lived experience.
The Observatoire helps to foster a better understanding of the realities faced by caregivers through reliable and rigorous data. It acts as a knowledge hub by connecting stakeholders and combining expertise.
In the government action plan, it contributes to more coherent and better-informed decisions.
“Caregiving is a growing phenomenon that affects a significant portion of Quebec’s population”, says To Nhu Nguyen, Administrative Director of the Observatoire. “The needs of caregivers are expected to increase due to population aging, the rise in chronic diseases and comorbid conditions, as well as changes in family structures. The 2026–2031 Government action plan for caregivers serves as a key building block for strengthening support for caregivers by bringing together stakeholders from multiple sectors around a common goal: to better recognize and support caregivers. The Observatoire québécois de la proche aidance is a valuable resource to support this collective effort.”
