Not only adults take on the role of carer, but there are few initiatives in schools that support young people in their responsibilities.
• Also read: One third of Quebec’s population is a caregiver
• Also read: Caregivers are becoming increasingly financially precarious
“Being a caregiver means supporting someone who has a temporary or permanent disability,” a definition that covers several types of situations, explains Nathalie Déziel, director general of the Regroupement des aides et caregivers natural de Montréal.
In Quebec this is the case with an average of three young people per class and in Canada it is the case with 28% of young people between 15 and 24 years of age.
Ms. Déziel believes that this situation is little known “because it is generally difficult to identify with it; We are in a childlike role towards our father, our mother, our brother, our sister. We don’t necessarily feel like we’re in a helping relationship.”
“Young people often find themselves in the role of secondary carers, either assisting them with transport, accompanying other children, etc. These are tasks that are slightly more important than those that a young person would normally undertake.
Are you a caregiver? See the documentation below.
– Financial support, Government of Quebec
– Caregiver Benefits, Government of Canada
– Caregiver Tax Credit, Revenu Québec
– Support for caregivers
– Éducaloi: How the law equips you