Text Box: The impetus for the project on caregiving arose from the Care Watch PhoneLine, which operated from 1997-99, with support from The Ontario Trillium Foundation. The PhoneLine gave to those receiving in-home care, to caregivers, to concerned family members and others, a confidential way to relate their experiences with the care being provided. An unanticipated finding of the PhoneLine was that in addition to the expected calls from care recipients, there were many calls from caregivers. We did expect, and analysis of our calls confirmed, that family caregiving is preponderantly performed by women and we felt compelled to bring the voices of these and women like them into the policy debate on caregiving. In the summer of 2000, we approached Status of Women Canada for funding to enable us to bring those family caregivers together. Our intention was to give them an opportunity to articulate the needs and concerns that directly impact on their economic security and overall well-being; and to provide them with an opportunity to suggest measures that will address these needs and concerns. The following are the recommendations arising from the study and the conclusion. The full 38-page report is available on our web site: carewatchtoronto.org. Recommendations In looking at many care options we concluded that it is not just a single model, however creative, that is ultimately needed. What is required is a good “system” of care options that address both the changing needs of the caregiver and care recipient in equal balance. Our recommendations to follow reflect these findings and other needs expressed by the participants in this study. We recommend: A publicly funded National Home Care program be created as an extension of the Canada Health Act. A national advertising campaign be undertaken in the media and other sources so that
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