Alzheimer’s Care First (Toronto based)
Caregiver Education Group (Mental Health Specific) Family Mental Health Support
The Ontario Caregiver Network
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
- This free 6-week workshop series is designed to provide caregivers with the tools needed to look after themselves. The program helps to reduce stress, improve self-confidence and communication, find balance and identify valuable community resources. Participants will receive a free copy of the book “The Caregiver Help book”.
Click here for more information
The SCALE Program (Supporting Caregiver Awareness, Learning and Empowerment) aims to empower caregivers with practical information and skills to focus on their own mental health and well-being needs by offering:
- Weekly psycho-educational webinars (LIVE or RECORDED) divided into two 4-week sessions
- Strategies, tools, and resources to better cope with difficult caregiving emotions
- Free and confidential online group &/or individual counselling (OPTIONAL). Space is limited, registration is based on a first come, first-served basis.
Information here
Caregiver Coaching Program
- Up to six 1:1 support sessions to work-through caregiving challenges (by telephone or Zoom)
- Problem-solving and goal-setting strategies to help unpack complex or overwhelming caregiving difficulties
- Strengthening resilience skills to help manage stress
- Strategies, resources, and information tailored to suit caregivers needs
- Motivational support to make the necessary changes within the caregiving role
- Accountability for action-items
The Caregiver Coaching Program is a limited, eligibility-based service. To access the program, certain criteria must be met.
If you meet the criteria and feel the Caregiver Coaching Program is a good fit for you, please fill out and submit the Self-Referral Form to our intake team.
Please note, self-referrals do not guarantee a spot in the coaching program. We will evaluate all referrals and direct applicants to the most suitable support available.
Webinars On Caregiver Well-Being
This video library offers a variety of webinars hosted by The Ontario Caregiver Organization and its partners. Search all webinars in our library by keywords, or browse them by category. Find more videos, please visit our YouTube channel.
The Ontario Caregiver Organization Online Learning Library
The OCO Learning Library, a learning management system (LMS), is a platform used for teaching and learning caregiver-related subject matter through online eLearning modules and courses.
The following OCO eLearning modules and courses are divided by different types of learners:
- Family Caregivers
- Caregiver 101 (for new caregivers)
- Caregivers Partnering with Health Professionals – A Strategy that Works
- Roadmap to Caregiving: The Realities of Mental Health and Addiction
- Microlearning (coming soon): Short, single topic, applied learning modules (5-10 minutes)
- Health Care Providers
- Caregivers as Partners (Original Series)
- Caregivers as Partners Refresher Module
- Caregivers as Partners Mental Health and Addiction Series
- OCO Volunteers
- Peer Mentor Training Course
- Employers
- Caregivers in the Workplace: A Course for Employers
Registration for online learning here
Online Caregiver Support Group
We welcome you to join other caregivers (ordinary people who provide physical and emotional support to a family member, partner, friend or neighbour) in a supportive environment to share challenges, successes, and concerns you may have within your caregiving role. Discussion will be driven by caregivers to discuss issues of highest importance to caregivers. Note: Online Support Groups are not intended for crisis support or mental health counselling.
Online Support Groups are available on the following days:
- Tuesdays from 10:00-11:00am EST. The group is offered the first and third Tuesday of the month.
- Wednesdays from 10:30-11:30am EST. This group is offered the second and fourth Wednesday of the month.
- Thursdays from 2:00-3:00 pm EST. This group is offered the first and third Thursday of the month.
- Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 pm EST. This group is offered the first and third Thursday of the month.
- Fridays from 10:30am-11:30am EST. This group is offered the first and third Friday of the month.
Register here
Alzheimer’s Society
Self-care for the Caregiver – 16 weeks in duration
Free to participate, workbook is $55 + HST or $30 + HST for digital copy
Do you…
- Feel overwhelmed in caring for others?
- Experience insomnia, worry, or anxiety?
- Have trouble dealing with your feelings?
- Find it hard to find time to take care of yourself?
- Have trouble asking for help and following through on it?
Information here
For more information call 905-687-3914 or email niagara@alzheimerniagara.ca
Hospice Niagara
- Basic Care For The Caregiver
- Boost your confidence and well-being as a caregiver
- Self-Care For The Caregiver
- Develop your inner capacity to be strong, regardless of your current life challenges.
- Caregiver Connect Virtual Drop-In Support Group
- Want to talk with other caregivers without having to commit to a full program? Drop in and we’ll be there for you.
Information here
Self Referral here
If you require more information, email info@hospiceniagara.ca or call 905-984-8766.
Family Mental Health Support Network of Niagara
(Mental Illness specific)
Are you a caregiver for a family member living with mental illness?
Sessions run on the third Thursday of each month on Zoom.
Our coping skills for caregivers group is specifically designed for individuals who are caring for someone with mental health issues.
Join our monthly coping skills sessions, specifically tailored to address the unique challenges faced by caregivers. Taking place on the third Thursday of each month, these sessions offer valuable tools, strategies, and support to enhance your resilience, manage stress, and prioritize self-care. Connect with fellow caregivers, gain valuable insights, and empower yourself on this caregiving journey.
For questions or more information, email us at contact@familysupportniagara.com.
Information here
Self referral here
Family Caregiver Education Group
(Mental Illness specific)
The Family Caregiver Education Program provides 10 weeks of education for families and caregivers on the topics of pharmacy, case management, boundaries, communication and more. This structured group assists families and caregivers to increase their knowledge of mental illnesses, get support and obtain the tools they need to make informed decisions
Who is This Program Intended For?
- Families and caregivers who need to increase their knowledge of mental illnesses and access support
- Families and caregivers in York Region and South Simcoe
- Meets virtually once a week for 10 weeks
Note: It is important that only those family members and caregivers who are caring for a loved one with mental illness attend this group.
Information here
Call Central Intake at 1.866.345.0183, ext. 3321
Email Central Intake at intake@cmha-yr.on.ca
Young Caregivers
Powerhouse virtual workshops
Powerhouse™ is an evidence informed program developed to teach YOUNG CAREGIVERS life and personal development skills, provide opportunity to connect with other caregiving kids, bring caregiving families together, and reinforce self-care.
- Free for young caregivers 5-25
- Examples of Powerhouse™ Programs:
- summer camp
- weekly respite
- life skills
- counselling (group and individual)
- teen programs
- young adult programs
maggied@youngcaregivers.ca
Wellspring Cancer Support
Programs for caregivers, patients and bereaved – related to cancer
Facilitator led Caregiver support group
- Allows cancer caregivers to share their experiences, feelings, strategies, and challenges
All programs information here
Carefirstontario.ca
(Toronto)
SERVICES
- Individual supportive counselling
- Case management and care coordination
- Support group
- Educational Seminars/ Workshops/Training sessions
- Social activities
- Mutual help activities
- Resources, displays and exhibitions
ELIGIBILITY
Family members or individuals providing care and assistance to older adults living with dementia-related diseases and or other chronic illnesses.
Please call Intake Line at: 416-502-2323 Extension 6143
Information here
Email: info@carefirstontario.ca
Resources
The Ontario Caregiver Organization
Support for Caregivers. Some topics include:
- 24/7 Helpline 1-833-416-2273 (CARE)
- Peer Support
- Webinars
- Psychoeducation, group and individual counselling
- Online learning library
- Caregiver mental health and wellbeing
- Toolkits for Caregivers
- Time to Talk podcast for Caregivers
- Working Caregivers
For more information:
https://ontariocaregiver.ca/for-caregivers/
Caregiver Network of Niagara – Hospice Niagara
Caregiver Resources in the Niagara Region
Young caregivers
As a young caregiver, you may help care for your sister after school or help make dinner if your dad is feeling sick. Although these are very important jobs, they can also be stressful, lonely, and overwhelming.
The tools and activities on this page have been created to support you and your family’s caregiving role.
Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence
- Autism support
- Jewish Cultural resources
- Regional stroke networks of Ontario
Care Channel
- Able to filter topics, conditions, type of care
- Using Technology for Caregiving
- What to Do When They Refuse Help
- Where To Go For Medical Help
- Will and Power of Attorney
Comfort Life
- Superb web resources for caregivers
- National Organizations
- Federal government resources and support
- Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia
- End-of-life Care
- Resources for Ontarians
Teva Canada
- Self-care handbook
- Caregiver self assessment
- Setting healthy boundaries
- Preparing for a doctor’s visit
- Caregiving for specific needs
- POA forms for each province