People who care for Canada's disabled veterans often face overwhelming demands and financial pressures, according to a study prepared for Veterans Canada.

The study by the University of Alberta's human ecology department indicates the families of Canadian soldiers released from active duty with severe disabilities suffer long-term financial burdens, as well as high rate of emotional stress and health issues.

The study, titled Wounded Veterans, Wounded Families, was based on phone interviews in the fall of 2007 with of 142 wounded soldiers and 115 of their caregivers. It was aimed at evaluating the experiences of family members and friends who support those with service-related disabilities.

Almost 40 per cent of spouses had been providing support to their disabled partners for between 10 and 19 years, while another 24 per cent had been providing support for more than 20 years, according to the study. Some 55 per cent of caregiver respondents reported spending five or more hours every day helping the veteran.

More than 40 per cent reported they were earning less money and experiencing financial hardship, while several spouses spoke of the high toll of taking care of their loved one exacted on their own health, as well as the strain on their relationships with other family members.

“Everything is affected because I have to do things for him that he can't do for himself, so everything that I would do otherwise is decreased," the study quoted one respondent as saying. "It is more draining on emotions than the physical. The financial cost alone is tremendous. The non-financial cost, you can't count it.”

'A whole new phenomenon'

“The biggest problem is the … loyalties divided between caring for your family and bringing in a wage. Who suffers the most? The kids suffered,” another respondent said.

The study's authors say the problem is growing as more Canadian military families are forced to care for loved ones who have suffered long-term, debilitating injuries during the Afghanistan mission.

"These young veterans present a whole new phenomenon," said Norah Keating, co-author of the study. "Now we've got disabilities happening so much earlier in life. Families have to cope for 20 or more years."

The soldiers surveyed were between 25 and 65. They were suffering full impairment to most of their bodies and were often battling emotional, psychiatric and psychological conditions.

Several respondents also noted the specific difficulties facing younger veterans with high levels of disability who did not expect to be dealing with problems that they associated with later life.

Difficult for caregivers

Many said they felt that groups like the Canadian Legion and Veterans Affairs were designed for the needs of aging veterans of the Second World War and the Korean War.

The Canadian military takes good care of veterans, Keating said, but the system of having benefits flow through the disabled soldier often makes it difficult for the caregivers.

The study recommends compensation and benefits flow directly to caregivers, that the focus be on the family's needs as well as those of the veteran, and that the department help with caregiving so a spouse can work outside the home.

Veterans Affairs said it is already acting on the report.

"We are contacting all Canadian Forces veterans who are seriously disabled, and their families, to ensure they have all the supports possible from Veteran Affairs Canada and other sources," said spokeswoman Heather MacDonald.

"Our department is increasingly aware of the impact of veterans' injuries on caregivers and we have … many initiatives to help meet the changing needs of our younger veterans and their families."

With files from the Canadian Press