Family Caregivers’ Perspectives on Direct Financial Support Programs: A Qualitative Exploration of Nova Scotia’s Caregiver Benefit

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study examines how intensive caregivers in Nova Scotia who receive the provincial government's Caregiver Benefit interpret and experience the program, particularly in the context of its ambiguous goals. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive methodological design was used to ensure that the reporting of findings remained close to participants' own words and to emphasize the practicality of findings. Twenty family caregivers with experience receiving the Caregiver Benefit participated in a semi-structured interview. FINDINGS: Our analysis captured four themes: (a) caregiving intensity shaping perceptions of the Benefit, (b) financial relief provided by the Benefit, (c) systemic barriers to access, and (d) policy problems. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the firsthand accounts of caregivers' experiences with the Caregiver Benefit in Nova Scotia.