The Three Ghosts of Poverty

Three ghosts stalk far too many households involved in providing personal care and support to relatives with severe disabilities, or sick and aging parents.  First, many persons with disabilities and seniors live on low incomes and caregivers spend much of their own money for basic food, heat and shelter.  Second, caregivers’ own employment status and income can be jeopardized by the pressures of caregiving responsibilities.  Third, caregivers often pay the additional costs of disability-related goods and services not covered by medicare or private insurance.  The commentary considers various policy solutions: reforming the disability income system, expanding the Compassionate Care Leave under Employment Insurance, providing a modest caregiver allowance, turning caregiver tax measures into refundable tax credits and investing in the supply of disability supports.

ISBN – 1-55382-409-1