A new study by the University of Alberta shows that live in caregivers have a difficult life. The U of A study covered approximately 60 live in caregivers and it shows that these professionals make many sacrifices and face high financial and emotional costs. A majority of caregivers in the Fort MacMurray and Wood Buffalo area come from other countries, and they take these positions in order to come to Canada and stay. These professionals leave their own families far behind and travel to a new and foreign country in order to provide live in care. Many live in caregivers are at a high risk for economical and even physical abuse and workplace violations are common in this industry. The latest study also showed that most caregivers having a post secondary degree in their field.
The author of the U of A study on live in caregivers, associate sociology professor Sara Dorow, wrote “The socioeconomic footprint of live-in caregivers is more extensive than most realize, and yet the full realization of their contributions, now and into the future, is threatened by multiple challenges and policy barriers unique to their status as foreign workers.” These individuals often face additional fees and costs once they arrive in Canada. Dorow estimated that around $3,000 is paid by local employers just for airfare and required processing fees. Dorow reported that “Live-‐in caregivers generally invest more to come and work in Canada than their employers to do hire them. Live-in caregivers reported working an average of 7.7 overtime hours per week. However, our calculations based on start and finish times indicate that they might actually work 10.4 overtime hours a week on average. In short, the actual percentage of work devoted to overtime hours is most likely higher than reported.”