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Toolkits for Caregivers

Resources for Caregivers | Toolkits & Guides

No two caregiving journeys look the same. No matter what you’re navigating as a caregiver, you shouldn’t have to handle it alone. Below you’ll find free toolkits from the Ontario Caregiver Organization, designed with input from caregivers, covering everything from emergency and contingency planning, how to find support as a caregiver, and how to navigate other areas of your life as a caregiver. Plus, get your own copy of our popular Healthcare Journey Binder!

Explore the toolkits, related resources, and podcasts on this page for help at any stage of your caregiving journey.

Plan

Contingency and Emergency Planning Toolkits

Be ready for anything from medical appointments or worst case scenarios. These toolkits are designed to help you keep track of important information including medical history, emergency contacts, food preferences and more. They’re fillable, printable and designed with caregivers in mind.

Contingency Planning Toolkit for Caregivers
  • Worksheet
  • (347 KB)
Emergency Planning Toolkit for Caregivers
  • Form
  • (374 KB)
My Healthcare Journey Binder
  • Worksheet
  • (3 MB)
Support

“I am a Caregiver” Toolkits

Caregivers rarely think about their own needs, but it’s important to find support for yourself. When you have help as a caregiver, it can make your responsibilities more manageable and help avoid health issues of your own.

The “I am a Caregiver” Toolkit includes exercises and information to support new or long-time caregivers. This resource was created by caregivers, for caregivers with input from mental health care professionals and resources. This toolkit is available in multiple languages and includes adapted versions for caregivers from a variety of communities to support your unique caregiving journey.

I am a Caregiver Toolkit
  • 3 min
  • (4 MB)
I am a Caregiver toolkit for Indigenous caregivers
  • 5 min
  • (12 MB)
I am a Caregiver toolkit for Black caregivers
  • 5 mins
  • (7 MB)
I am a Caregiver toolkit for 2SLGBTQIA+ caregivers
  • 5 mins
  • (7 MB)
Work

Toolkits for Working Caregivers

Being a working caregiver comes with its own set of challenges. It can feel like you’re never giving enough time or energy to either your workplace or the person who relies on you for support. It can feel like juggling two full-time jobs at once.

This Toolkit for Working Caregivers can help you manage the competing needs of work and caregiving while taking care of your own health and well being at the same time. Learn about ideas to help you manage caregiving, options to explore greater flexibility and support at work, and tips for talking with your employer about solutions.

Work and Caregiving: A Balancing Act – Toolkit for Working Caregivers
  • 60-90 min
  • (3 MB)
S1 E1 | 38 min
Becoming a Caregiver
What’s in this podcast:

Host Michelle Jobin is joined by Mieko Ise, Program Advisor for The Ontario Caregiver Organization, to talk about the realities of becoming a caregiver.

S1 E5 | 45 min
The Organized Caregiver
What’s in this podcast:

Michelle Jobin is joined by Organizing Expert, Clare Kumar to discuss how an organized schedule, home and life can decrease stress.

S2 E1 | 34 min
Healthcare System Navigation
What’s in this podcast:

Host Michelle Jobin is joined by Suzanne McKenna, a System Navigator for Acquired Brain Injury to talk about her lived experience as a caregiver for her son and share some advice.

S3 E9 | 46 min
Undercover Kindness
What’s in this podcast:

Michelle Jobin is joined by Amy Coupal, the CEO of The Ontario Caregiver Organization, and Erica Ehm to discuss The Undercover Kindness Project.

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Quiz

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Most of us, at some point in our lives, will be a caregiver to someone close to us. A caregiver provides physical and/or emotional support to a family member, partner, friend, or neighbour. Who do you care for?