May is National Caregiver Month, where we acknowledge and celebrate the 8+ million caregivers across Canada.

Many people become caregivers without realising it, instead identifying themselves as family, friends, or community who are supporting a person they love. Half of Canadians will provide care at some point in their lives as a natural part of being in a relationship with someone you care about.

You are a caregiver if you:

• Coordinate appointments for a family member or friend
• Bring meals to someone you know who many not be able to provide for themselves
• Provide emotional support to someone with a medical condition
• Provide transport to medical appointments or errands
• Help with tasks of daily living such as bathing, dressing
• And more

If any one of these sounds like you, then you are a caregiver and there are supports and resources available to support your care journey.

Millions of Canadians are providing unpaid care every day as the invisible backbone of our healthcare and social systems. This month serves as a reminder of the huge impact caregivers have in the well-being of our communities and offers an opportunity to discuss the challenges they face.

This month we are looking into the impact to mental health, work and care, young caregivers, and financial well-being.

Caregiver Aware 2025 is a national campaign created by the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence.
For resources and information that focuses on B.C, check out Family Caregivers of British Columbia.