Women delay care and miss work as gaps in benefits and healthcare deepen across Canada
Out-of-pocket caregiving costs now average more than $5,800 per year, and for some Canadians, those costs exceed $25,000, according to a May 2025 survey by Simplii Financial.
Reported expenses range from daily living and healthcare to in-home and long-term care, with the financial burden already affecting career paths, income levels, and even the next generation’s stability.
As per Simplii Financial, 24 percent of caregivers said their responsibilities have negatively impacted their careers, while 23 percent reported lost income.
One-third (32 percent) believe the financial toll will eventually affect their children.
These findings come as over half of Canadians (53 percent) expect to take on caregiving roles within the next five years.
However, only 38 percent of those with aging parents have the required documentation to manage their affairs. Just 36 percent have had in-depth conversations about long-term financial planning.
The financial strain parallels challenges in healthcare access, particularly for working women.
According to new data released by Maple, 76 percent of women believe Canada’s healthcare system is not designed to meet their needs. Long wait times have pushed 62 percent to delay or skip care.
For 31 percent, caregiving responsibilities have also led them to postpone care for themselves.
Maple’s vice-president of sales and spokesperson Amii Stephenson noted to Benefits and Pension Monitor that many women—especially those in the sandwich generation—are supporting both aging parents and children, often without meaningful benefits support.
“Appointments are hard to book, wait times are really long and the care doesn’t fit with the work or the caregiving schedules,” she said.
Stephenson said that recognition is also lacking.
Many women feel overlooked in critical health interactions, contributing to delays that carry consequences for physical and mental health, family stability, and workplace productivity.
“To the extent that women are delaying or avoiding care, delays aren’t just inconvenient, but they have measurable consequences,” she said to Benefits and Pension Monitor.
As per Maple, 93 percent of sandwich generation caregivers report that their health has suffered.
In addition, 57 percent of women have missed work due to health issues, while 73 percent of those aged 35 to 54—typically in peak career years—have reported time off due to health problems.
Thirty-one percent of women also stated that out-of-pocket costs put pressure on their household finances.
Stephenson argued that Canada's healthcare system, designed in 1984, has not evolved alongside rising life expectancy, increasing mental health demands, and dual-caregiving roles.
She said, “The biggest takeaway for me is how deeply women feel unseen and underserved in the healthcare space.”
Stephenson called for modern benefit designs that reflect real-life conditions.
She stressed the need for caregiver-specific support, perimenopause and menopause care, mental health services, and chronic condition management—stating these are not niche offerings but core necessities.
“I don't think benefits plans can any longer be one size fits all. They have to match the lived experiences of the plan members,” she said.
According to Simplii Financial, 63 percent of Canadians feel confident managing inheritance on their own, but the emotional and logistical toll of caregiving still demands preparation.
The survey advised Canadians to begin open conversations about family finances, organize essential documents such as wills and insurance policies, and prioritise self-care.
Stephenson concluded that bridging health and benefit gaps offers not only a personal advantage for individuals, but also a measurable economic impact.
“Ignoring these gaps isn’t neutral. It’s a missed opportunity and a growing liability,” she said.
She added that supporting women’s health goes beyond addressing individual care gaps—“it's about sustaining that invisible infrastructure that keeps our country running.”
