Adult-Centred Systems, Youth-Centred Needs: A Qualitative Study of Canadian Caregiving Service Providers' Readiness...

Young caregivers, defined as individuals under 25 years of age who provide unpaid care to a family member(s) with illness, disability, or age-related needs, remain significantly underrecognized in Canada despite their valuable contributions to the healthcare system. Limited awareness, fragmented services, and adult-centred caregiving infrastructures leave them vulnerable to social isolation, disrupted education, and poor mental health. Unlike the United Kingdom and Australia, Canada lacks a coordinated national strategy to identify and support young caregivers. This qualitative study examines caregiving organizations across multiple Canadian provinces, exploring current practices, barriers, and future visions for supporting young caregivers. Group interviews were conducted with 18 service providers from caregiving organizations in Alberta, BC and Nova Scotia. Four themes emerged through analysis: (1) The Landscape of Existing Caregiving Organizations, (2) Barriers and Challenges to Supporting Young Caregivers, (3) Navigating a Pandemic, and (4) a Journey and Vision Worth Supporting. Organizations reported a strong interest in expanding support for young caregivers with a vision for cross-sector collaboration and school-based outreach. However, challenges such as inadequate funding and a lack of formal recognition limits their capacity in building youth programs. Findings from the study highlight the need for systemic reform, including early intervention models, sustainable funding, and formal recognition of young caregivers within policy frameworks. Addressing these gaps will not only uplift young caregivers, but also strengthen Canada's broader caregiving and healthcare ecosystem.