Caring for a family member in a new country: a reality shaped by layered challenges

Like all caregivers, those with an immigrant background may see their professional life, health, and social networks weakened. But on top of these challenges, there are additional factors, especially for those who have recently arrived in Quebec.

“What’s important to understand is that there are factors that make this experience more complex for immigrant communities,” explains Marie-Ève Samson, project lead in caregiving at the Sherpa University Institute of the CIUSSS West-Central Montreal. The institute’s mission includes conducting research on caregiving among people from immigrant and ethnocultural backgrounds. It also works to improve practices and promote better access to resources and services within the health and social services system, with a focus on the health and well-being of immigrant communities.

Just like caregiving journeys, every immigration story is different. In some cases, migration happens under pressure, especially for those who have to leave their country quickly. In others, it is a planned process that still comes with its own share of stress. “Even when immigration is planned, it still requires adjustment, especially when it comes to employment,” she points out. “It can take a long time to have credentials recognized, and some people never do. They may end up working in jobs that are much more precarious than what their qualifications would normally allow.”

There is also the question of social networks. When Jean-Pierre Perouma and his family arrived in Quebec in 2014, they were warmly welcomed by people they now call their adoptive grandparents. “Me, I’m Mamie Fernande,” their Rimouski grandmother said as she served them breakfast on the morning they arrived. Even with those meaningful connections, Jean-Pierre, like many immigrants, felt the impact of a smaller social circle. “You feel extremely isolated when dealing with illness. Even more so as an immigrant living outside a major city.”

Immigrants make up 15% of Quebec’s population. A Canadian study found that one in five caregivers is an immigrant, and one in four is a racialized person (CCEA, 2024). According to Marie-Ève Samson, the high number of caregivers from immigrant backgrounds is partly because their support networks tend to be smaller in Quebec, leaving fewer people to share the responsibility. It can also be harder for them to access services, especially for those who have arrived more recently.

During the five difficult years of his partner’s illness, Jean-Pierre was fortunate to find support and a space to talk through a men’s discussion group. Still, Marie-Ève Samson notes that it is often challenging for people from immigrant or diverse backgrounds to find services and access support.

Despite significant needs, caregivers from immigrant backgrounds are less visible in social and community services. Yet a Canadian study shows that they are actually more likely to take steps to seek help (CCEA, 2024). So why don’t these efforts lead to results?

Several barriers get in the way: limited familiarity with the system, language barriers, and mistrust of institutions. “If someone has had a negative experience in the past, it can take longer before they reach out for services again,” explains Marie-Ève Samson.

A persistent myth also makes the situation more difficult: the idea that these individuals are not interested in formal services. “It’s not because fewer immigrants show up in our services that they’re not interested,” she says. “It’s a myth with real consequences. It creates a kind of vicious cycle when people assume that’s the case.” According to several studies, including those conducted at the Sherpa University Institute, this misconception can actually lead to fewer services being offered to these communities.

This myth is partly rooted in certain cultural values or norms. “Yes, there can be a strong sense of responsibility toward family, although we have to be careful not to generalize,” Marie-Ève Samson explains. “Support and intervention can play an important role, because even when someone is fully committed to caring for a family member, the reality in Quebec can make it harder. For example, when someone is juggling multiple jobs or doesn’t have a support network. Others would prefer to be less involved but feel they have no choice because appropriate services aren’t available. That’s where access to formal support really matters.”

In this context, Marie-Ève Samson encourages professionals in the field to take a more proactive approach in supporting these caregivers. That means helping them express their needs, recognizing the value of their role, and treating them as true partners, even when they don’t identify with the term “caregiver.”

“There may be differences, but if we approach things with openness and dialogue, we can find a balance that respects everyone’s perspective and makes support possible,” she concludes. “It’s about getting back to the basics of care, of being present, and of human connection.”

Today, Jean-Pierre Perouma’s partner has regained her health. After five years shaped by illness and caregiving, the family is finally catching its breath. The experience has brought them closer, but it has also left its mark: a heightened sense of vigilance and a deeper awareness of how fragile things can be.

What Jean-Pierre takes away most is a reflection on the fragility of both people and systems: “Caregiving brings forward the vulnerability of individuals and of systems. When that vulnerability shows, it shouldn’t be taken as an accusation. Without solidarity, without people, we won’t get through it. It’s by taking care of the most vulnerable that we build a stronger society.”

Many thanks to Marie-Ève Samson from the Sherpa University Institute and to Jean-Pierre Perouma.

• Study: “Caring in Canada: Survey insights from caregivers and care providers across Canada”, Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, CCCE, 2024

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