There are times when adults in Canadian families are unable to care for themselves or provide care for others due to illness, injury or disability. As a result, they need help with daily activities, ranging from the basics such as eating, dressing or taking medications to the more complex tasks of financial planning and navigating the health care system. Typically, another adult in the family will step in to help fulfill the responsibilities of parenting, caregiving and household management. In cases where adults are unavailable, young family members may be required to take on the role as primary caregiver well before it would normally be expected.

This paper explores the range of personal, social and economic costs and consequences of young caring.
 

Grant Charles, Tim Stainton and Sheila Marshall, School of Social Work, University of British Columbia.