Introduction:
Caregivers can face challenges and obstacles while trying to care for their loved ones. An Essential Caregiver is a person, (friend, family member, neighbour) who provides important personal, social, psychological and physical support to a patient. An Essential Caregiver (a type of essential visitor) is an individual who is designated by the patient and/or their substitute decision maker, and is visiting to provide direct care to the patient (e.g. supporting feeding, mobility, personal hygiene, cognitive stimulation, communication, meaningful connection, etc.). Examples of care partners include friends/family members who provide meaningful connection, a privately hired caregiver, paid companions and translators.
- An essential caregiver doesn't need to have lived with the person they are supporting.
- An essential caregiver doesn't have to be related.
- An essential caregiver can be anyone 18 years and older.
- An essential caregiver can provide support and care for short periods of time (e.g. days) or for extended periods of time.
The purpose of this survey is to help us better understand your experience as a healthcare provider interacting with essential caregivers. We are surveying care providers as well as essential caregivers so that we can work together to provide better support and improve the experience of both care partners and providers.
(adapted from: Change Foundation (2020). Changing Care, Provider Survey.
(adapted from: Change Foundation (2020). Changing Care, Provider Survey.