Young Caregivers at the National Caregiver Day Symposium 2026

Written by Oliver, Madalena, Lux, Nick and Rebekah.

Five members of the Young Caregiver Council of Canada traveled to Toronto for the National Caregiver Day Symposium, hosted by the Canadian Home Care Association and the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE) on April 8th, 2026. 

Young Caregivers are Siblings, Children, and Friends

We heard how young caregiving shapes your relationships. Chrissy Sadowski, a woman and parent living with Multiple Sclerosis, who works at the Young Caregivers Association, shared how parents living with disabilities can feel worried as their needs intensify and they wonder how their children are being impacted. And we heard how Oliver’s friendship was restored when a PSW started visiting daily, removing some of the care needs he had previously been covering. 

"Lack of awareness leads to more stigma”

Rebekah spoke about how accessing support for caregiving led her family to interactions with child welfare services. Many young caregivers experience this due to misunderstanding and stigma. The lack of recognition of young carers reinforces stigma, which contributes to young carers' and families’ isolation. Professionals need to understand that young people step up for their families when care and support are lacking or nonexistent. Rebekah mentioned that young carers are not a problem to be fixed and that caregiving at a young age can be a positive experience when everyone in the family is recognized and supported.

It's Time to Get Loud!

Knowing that the population is aging, and that people are living longer with chronic conditions, it is essential to support young caregivers. Vivian Stamatopoulos, a researcher and former young caregiver, pointed out that cuts to health and social programs only increase the pressures on young carers and their families.

We heard multiple calls for action:

• Writing your MPs, and MPPs 

• Including concepts like caregiving in the curriculum, because it affects every Canadian

• Adding young caregiver resources or services, wherever you are talking to families about health (e.g., family doctors' offices, hospitals, etc.)

As Chrissy said, it’s time to get loud! There is momentum building to recognize caregiving across ages and stages of life. That being the theme of the event, and seeing young carers represented in the program, and in the audience, is very encouraging. 

Support for Young Caregivers Starts with You

In terms of support, peer connection was the takeaway. 

Our main call to action? We need more support, in caregiving organizations, health settings, schools, and the community. 

"It should be a part of the regular routine to offer information on young carer support for families facing health crises."

As Rebekah mentioned on the panel, these supports and resources should be co-designed with young caregivers, who have important knowledge and wisdom crucial to building high-quality support. 

We have a long way to go— hardly anyone knows about young caregivers. That means doctors, home care attendants, and teachers aren’t looking out for us. 

You can be the change, by opening up a dialogue about young caregivers, at home, at work, and in your community.

Have you grown up supporting someone who is navigating health challenges? Contact the Young Caregiver Council of Canada to learn how to get involved!