Fewer than 1 in 5 Canadians have a plan to care for aging loved ones, survey finds

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 16, 2026

Photo courtesy: The Globe and Mail

TORONTO, Canada — Many Canadians expect to support their parents or other aging relatives as they grow older, but a new survey suggests few households have made comprehensive plans for what that care could involve.

Only 19% of Canadians surveyed reported having a comprehensive plan to care for an aging or ill family member, according to research commissioned by Sun Life and conducted by Earnscliffe. The finding points to a significant gap between the care families may eventually need to provide and their preparation for it.

The results come as Canada’s aging population places growing demands on families, caregivers, and the country’s health and long-term care systems.

Most families are not fully prepared

The survey also found that 18% of American respondents had a comprehensive caregiving plan, compared with about 30% of respondents in the Asian countries included in the research.

The figures suggest that limited preparation for family caregiving extends beyond Canada, although differences in family arrangements, care systems, and survey populations must be considered when comparing countries.

A comprehensive caregiving plan can involve discussions about where an older relative would prefer to live, who would provide assistance, how medical appointments and household responsibilities would be managed, and how the family would cover expenses.

Without those arrangements, families may have to make important decisions after an older relative develops a serious illness, loses independence, or requires additional daily support.

The financial burden of caregiving

Providing care to an aging family member can mean much more than helping with appointments or everyday household tasks. It can also involve additional spending, reduced working hours, and pressure on personal savings.

Separate research released by Edward Jones Canada on October 14 found that 71% of financial caregivers entered their caregiving role with little or no planning.

The research, conducted with Age Wave and The Harris Poll, also found that 73% of caregivers surveyed were willing to sacrifice their financial security to support a loved one.

Edward Jones estimated that more than 3.6 million Canadians provide financial caregiving support to adults aged 65 or older, with contributions totalling approximately $20 billion annually.

The findings illustrate how caregiving responsibilities can affect not only older Canadians but also the financial stability of those supporting them.

For working adults, balancing caregiving with employment, raising children, and managing household expenses can create additional pressure, particularly when care needs increase unexpectedly.

Growing demand for care as Canada ages

The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) has warned that Canada’s aging population will increase demand for health and long-term care services.

In a report published in February 2026, CIHI said the number of Canadians aged 85 and older could triple over the next two decades.

As the population ages, more people are expected to experience health challenges that require additional assistance, placing greater demands on care providers and support services.

The challenge is not limited to finding residential care facilities. Many older adults want to remain in their homes, making access to home care, transportation, community programs, and family support increasingly important.

A separate survey by the National Institute on Ageing found that 81% of Canadians aged 50 and older wanted to remain in their existing home or a smaller home as they aged. However, 62% had made no plans or modifications to help them age in place.

Why planning ahead matters

The findings highlight the importance of discussing caregiving responsibilities before an urgent need arises.

Families may need to consider their loved one’s preferences, financial resources, available public services, and the responsibilities different relatives can realistically manage.

Planning can also involve reviewing legal documents, identifying emergency contacts, and understanding which home-care or long-term care services are available in their province.

For families supporting relatives across different cities or countries, coordinating care can add another layer of complexity.

Early conversations do not eliminate the challenges of aging or illness, but they can help families understand their options and make decisions with a clearer picture of the support available.

With Canada’s population continuing to age, the surveys point to a growing concern: millions of families may eventually face significant caregiving responsibilities, even as comprehensive preparation remains uncommon.