Informal caregivers for the elderly and their ethnocultural background in Quebec: the contribution of a quantitative analysis

Abstract

The number of informal caregivers is expected to increase along with global aging, particularly in countries struggling with shortages of health care professionals, such as in Quebec (Canada). In a society built on immigration, it is more than relevant to question the prevalence of the role of informal caregivers among ethnocultural communities of immigrant origin. To the best of our knowledge, no study has quantitatively studied ethnic informal caregivers for these communities in Québec. Our exploratory research aims to fill this gap. This research aims to explore the influence of ethnocultural affiliation in a minority and immigration context, on the probability of becoming a caregiver in Quebec in a minority and immigration context. The chances of becoming an informal caregiver are high for those born in Canada who participate in religious activities and are female. There is a statistically significant association between being an informal caregiver and birth location. Those born outside of Canada have fewer chances of being an informal caregiver, reflecting biases in Canadian immigration policies.