Classification of unpaid care

1 - Unpaid child care

This category includes activity in which the person looked after children without pay, including one or more children of his or her own, children in his or her household, children of other family members outside the household, or children of friends or neighbours. It refers to productive activity that is performed as part of unpaid service. It includes, activity such as, bathing young children, playing with children, driving children to sports activities, helping them with homework and talking to children about their problems. Included is time spent doing another activity while looking after children, time when looking after children was shared with someone else, as well as time when the child was having a nap. Excluded is time when the child slept during the night or time the child spent at school, at a friend's or in organised activities. For the purpose of statistical reporting, unpaid child care includes this type of care provided to persons aged 14 or under.

2 - Unpaid care or assistance to seniors

This category includes activity in which the person provided unpaid care or assistance to seniors in his or her household, to other senior family members outside the household and to senior friends or neighbours. It refers to productive activity that is performed as part of unpaid service. It includes, for example, providing personal care to a senior family member, and helping them with shopping, banking or with taking medication as well as visiting seniors or talking with them on the telephone for the purpose of care giving. Associated travel time is also included. For the purpose of statistical reporting, unpaid care or assistance to seniors includes this type of care provided to persons aged 65 or over.

3 - Other unpaid care

This category includes all unpaid care provided to persons that is not unpaid child care or unpaid care or assistance to seniors.

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