Abstract
Canada is unique among the countries included in this volume with regards to the immigration status of care workers; they
are much more likely to be immigrants or permanent residents rather than temporary workers (migrants). One program specific
to Canada that enables care workers to migrate to Canada is the Live in Caregiver Program (LCP). Through this program workers
are able to migrate without having to meet the qualifications of the immigration points system or family sponsorship. One
of the key requirements is that they work for at least 24 out of 36 months as a care worker in the home of their client who
in turn is their immigration sponsor. Though this has typically been a means to bring in care workers to work with children,
increasingly care workers are attending to elderly clients. Interviews we conducted with 19 immigrant care workers in the
home and long-term care sector who came to Canada through the LCP, contributed to a broader understanding of the way in which
this recent shift in focus can help to address the growing need for care of older persons in their home. However, it has been
implemented with little of the additional resources needed for this increasingly complex clientele. This program holds clear
potential, but not without it being better customized to meet the needs of older persons and their care workers.
are much more likely to be immigrants or permanent residents rather than temporary workers (migrants). One program specific
to Canada that enables care workers to migrate to Canada is the Live in Caregiver Program (LCP). Through this program workers
are able to migrate without having to meet the qualifications of the immigration points system or family sponsorship. One
of the key requirements is that they work for at least 24 out of 36 months as a care worker in the home of their client who
in turn is their immigration sponsor. Though this has typically been a means to bring in care workers to work with children,
increasingly care workers are attending to elderly clients. Interviews we conducted with 19 immigrant care workers in the
home and long-term care sector who came to Canada through the LCP, contributed to a broader understanding of the way in which
this recent shift in focus can help to address the growing need for care of older persons in their home. However, it has been
implemented with little of the additional resources needed for this increasingly complex clientele. This program holds clear
potential, but not without it being better customized to meet the needs of older persons and their care workers.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s12062-010-9032-2
- Authors
- Ivy Lynn Bourgeault, CIHR/Health Canada Research Chair in Health Human Resources Policy, Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON RGN 1118, Canada
- Rishma Parpia, CIHR/Health Canada Research Chair in Health Human Resources Policy, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON Canada
- Jelena Atanackovic, Department of Sociology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada
- Journal Journal of Population Ageing
- Online ISSN 1874-7876
- Print ISSN 1874-7884