The Nanny Pages Blog

Kamala Harris has proposed expanding Medicare in the U.S. to cover home care for seniors, reducing reliance on expensive nursing homes. This would ease the burden on families and caregivers while improving wages for home care workers  .

In Canada, publicly funded elder care varies by province, and many families face long wait times or pay for extra services. Expanding government-paid home care, like Harris’s proposal, could reduce hospital overcrowding by preventing avoidable health issues among seniors, thus easing pressure on the healthcare system .

By increasing home care funding, both countries could improve senior care while reducing strain on hospitals and healthcare workers—a win-win for families and the system.

In Ontario, nannies and caregivers are generally covered under the Employment Standards Act (ESA) as “domestic workers.” They are entitled to three unpaid sick days per calendar year. This is part of the three days of unpaid sick leave allowed for employees who have been employed for at least two consecutive weeks.

However, some employers may choose to offer additional paid or unpaid sick days as part of their employment contract. It’s also important to note that if the nanny is working under a specific contract, it may include terms that provide more generous sick leave benefits.