Volume 11 | AUGUST 2020
Partners in Care:
A resource for re-engaging caregivers
Caregivers are essential partners in care and play a critical role in providing physical and emotional support to a family member, partner, friend or neighbour in need. With access restrictions easing and as hospitals and long-term care homes across the province plan for a potential second peak of COVID-19, there is a new resource available to help engage caregivers in a safe and meaningful way. 
 
The Partners in Care Tool Kit, developed in collaboration with Ontario caregivers and The Change Foundation, provides hospitals and long term care homes with the tools to get started. The tool kit, which is already being used in select hospitals across the province, was piloted in the hospital setting with success. 
 
The tool kit includes: Caregiver ID, Partners in Care Pledge and What Caregivers Can Expect (with more to come). Each tool is available to download and customize.
 
Learn more about how Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance leveraged Caregiver ID at the onset of COVID-19 and the impact it made with patients, hospital staff, physicians and family caregivers. 
 
If you have questions about the Partners in Care Tool Kit please contact The Ontario Caregiver Organization at 416-362-2273 or 1-888-877-1626.  
The OCO Peer Support programs are here to help you
Connect with other caregivers

If you feel anxious and overwhelmed with your caregiving responsibilities, you’re not alone. We all face challenges on the caregiving journey which is why it is important to connect with other Caregivers and support one another.
 
The OCO Peer Support programs are here to help you. 
 
Connect with others in a peer support group and share your caregiving experience, challenges and solutions with another caregiver today.
Save the Date! Our SCALE Program is back by popular demand for the third time!
Registration Opens: October, 2020

Back by popular demand for the third time, the SCALE (Supporting Caregiver Awareness, Learning and Empowerment) 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.

A completely flexible program designed to meet your unique needs and schedule as a caregiver, the SCALE Program aims to empower you with practical information and skills to enhance self-awareness.

The program consists of: 
  • a series of six weekly webinar,
  • online group coaching,
  • one-on-one, individualized telephone counselling. 
Past webinars
Do-It-Yourself Acupressure for Stress Relief: Tools for Caregiver Self-Care

Caring for yourself is one of the most important—and one of the most often forgotten—things you can do as a caregiver. When your needs are taken care of, the person you care for will benefit, too. Regardless of age, sex, and race and ethnicity, caregivers report problems attending to their own health and well-being while managing care giving responsibilities. As caregivers experience varying levels of stress and burnout; self-care is central to creating balance in one's daily life and care giving journey.
Hearing Your Voices Virtual Patient Conference
Save the Date:
November 3rd-4th, 2020 
What have we learned about how technology shaped patient experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic?  
  
Hearing Your Voices is your opportunity to participate in a virtual event where patients, families and caregivers come together to share their COVID-19 experiences, hear engaging panelists and speakers, and make recommendations for the design of a compassionate digital healthcare system*.  
  
*There is no fee to attend. Registration opens in September. 
Your Turn
Our newsletter shares information about caregiving in Ontario, available supports and services and what we’re working on to enhance the caregiving experience. If you would like to contribute content to our newsletter or if you have story ideas, please contact us by email at info@ontariocaregiver.ca.
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