Volume 21 | SEPTEMBER 2021
September Awareness Month
September is a busy time for many, preparing for going back to school and in this case a second year doing so under the restrictions of a pandemic. It’s also a busy month in terms of Awareness of different health conditions.


September is:
  • Arthritis Awareness Month
  • Cancer Awareness Month
  • Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
  • Pain Awareness Month
  • Recovery Month for Mental Health & Addictions
  • World Alzheimer Awareness Month

As a caregiver, knowing about your care recipient’s specific condition can be useful for providing care, and necessary in terms of supporting them in navigating the health care system. That’s why OCO has prepared web pages with information and resources for common conditions that may be of interest to caregivers as they support their family member, partner or friend.
New resources to support caregivers in understanding health privacy and consent
Having information about patient care can be an important part of the caregiving role, yet Ontario’s health privacy laws and rules are complex and can be difficult to understand. 

OCO has new resources to help caregivers better understand health privacy and consent rules in order that they can better support their care recipients. We are pleased to introduce Understanding Health Privacy and Consent in Ontario: a Guide for Caregivers and Care Providers and At a Glance: Understanding health privacy and consent in Ontario – For Caregivers.

Four companion resources also provide answers to frequently asked questions by caregivers related to: caring for children and youth, caring for someone capable of making their own decisions, caring for someone incapable of making their own decisions, and caring for someone in the mental health and addiction system.

*Adapted from materials originally created by The Change Foundation and one of its Changing CARE teams.
New E-Learning Courses For Caregivers and Employers
Caregivers Partnering with Health Professionals: A Strategy that Works

Caregivers have an important role on the care team. A collaborative partnership between caregivers and health care professionals contributes to better outcomes. While the original Caregivers as Partners eLearning course educates professionals about this important partnership, this new course, co-created with caregivers, is specifically for caregivers.
Caregivers in the Workplace: A Course for Employers

While 58% of caregivers are employed, caregivers make up 35% of the Canadian workforce, with over half reporting that it is stressful to balance caregiving and workplace commitments. Caregiver-inclusive workplace solutions can build more positive, productive, and efficient businesses. Our new three-part, 20 minute course provides an opportunity to learn about the caregiving experience. The course covers impacts within the workplace and tangible next steps to help support caregiving employees.
Upcoming Webinars
September 9: Health Law: A primer for family caregivers in the Mental Health and Addictions System (part 2)

As a follow-up session, we will talk about the mental health system, including the Mental Health Act framework and community-based services, risk management considerations, privacy, and being an advocate in the system. We will discuss broadly two case scenarios in the mental health and addictions sector, involving the health system, housing and more.

*This presentation will be in English and available as a recording after the event.
September 30: Quality Standard For Delirium Care: How can I Help?

In partnership with Ontario Health, this webinar provides an overview of delirium and how family members and caregivers can support people with or at risk for delirium. You will learn how to help prevent delirium, how to recognize the signs and symptoms of delirium, and ways to support your family member’s care. We will hear from a clinician and people with lived experience, and examine various useful tools and resources for caregivers. The Ontario Caregiver Organization will moderate a question-and-answer session at the end of the webinar.

*This presentation will be in English and available as a recording after the event.
Save the Date For More Webinars
  • October 5: SCALE Program begins: The SCALE Program webinars are designed to focus on subjects that are applicable to new or experienced caregivers positioning you and your well-being at the centre of the sessions.
  • October 7: A Conversation with Young Caregivers: This webinar aims to raise awareness about the hidden population of young caregivers within their own families and among others they interact with day to day such as teachers, youth workers, healthcare workers, workplace supervisors
  • October 21: Au-delà des bains moussants (FRENCH)
  • November 4: OCO Virtual Open House
  • November 18: Caring for a non-biological child Support for adoptive families with mental health and special needs caregiving challenges—where do you start?
  • December 2: Holiday season and how this period can be difficult for caregivers who are/have experienced losses 
Past webinars
Missed a webinar?

We know caregivers are busy. That's why we record webinars so that you can watch them after the event, at a time that's convenient for you.

You can find all of our past webinars on our YouTube channel!
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