A critical but often invisible segment of the Canadian population is facing a severe health and financial crisis, according to new analysis. Adults in their late mid-life, primarily those between 55 and 64 years old, are shouldering an unsustainable burden of care for both younger and older generations, putting their own well-being and retirement security in jeopardy.
The Invisible Workforce: Millions of Hours of Unpaid Care
Research highlights that this demographic forms one of Canada's most overextended yet under-recognized resources. They provide essential, often unpaid, support to millions, ranging from adult children and aging parents to siblings, frequently while maintaining full-time careers.
The scale of their contribution is staggering. From August 2024 to July 2025, Canadians aged 55 to 64 worked over 100 million hours per month in paid employment across sectors like retail, law, engineering, and health care. On top of this, Statistics Canada estimates they contribute 552 million hours annually in formal volunteering, such as in schools and crisis centers.
Perhaps most demanding is the informal, unpaid care within families. Data shows that baby boomers spent 1,219,000 hours of their 1,342,000 total informal volunteer hours directly helping family members. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many added an extra 20 hours of caregiving per week to their already packed schedules.
The Tipping Point: Anger, Depression, and Financial Strain
The cumulative pressure is pushing many to a breaking point. Experts note that a typical caregiver in this group provides about 35 hours of care per week for more than four years. Research indicates that adding just three more hours per week could be the tipping point leading to anger, depression, or complete withdrawal from caregiving duties.
The financial implications are equally severe. In today's economy, most people work out of necessity, not to fund leisure. For nearly half of Canada's caregivers, full-time work is not optional. Furthermore, six out of ten caregivers struggle to find formal support systems, and four in ten working caregivers worry about paying their bills. It's little wonder many start their days exhausted and anxious.
A Perfect Storm: Extended Families and Concentrated Wealth
Several societal trends are compounding the problem. Elongated caregiving is rising on the home front, with more young adults in their 20s and 30s living with parents. Simultaneously, with individuals aged 55-64 holding approximately two-thirds of all household wealth in Canada, there is increased pressure and expectation to support the financial futures of younger family members under their own roofs.
Demographic researchers observing these patterns warn that the situation is unsustainable. They point out that about one in five mid-life women are caring for a child while more than a third provide care for an adult. This 'sandwich generation' effect forces many to defer their own health needs and retirement planning, risking their long-term security for the immediate needs of others.
The data presents a clear call to action: without greater recognition, support, and policy intervention aimed at this vital cohort, Canada risks exhausting the very group that silently upholds the health and well-being of millions across the country.
