Abstracts Economics

Labour Supply Outcomes of Informal Home-based Palliative Caregivers

by RuthAnne Kavelaars

Introduction: Informal palliative caregivers provide ongoing care and support to patients and are at increased risk to reduce their labour supply and to modify their labour market behaviours. Objective: The purpose of this thesis was to assess the relationship between the supply of informal palliative caregiving and labour supply outcomes over the care trajectory. Methods: This study used prospective longitudinal cohort data of palliative care caregivers in Ontario from 2014-2017 obtained through interviews with informal caregivers. Regression models were used to estimate the effects of informal caregiving on labour supply outcomes. Results: There is a negative association between informal palliative caregiving and labour supply intensity and propensity. Caregivers providing more than 58 hours of care bi-weekly experienced the steepest decline in labour force participation. Conclusion: Support and workplace legislation that encourages flexibility for caregiving-labour arrangements may improve economic outcomes for families and employers.