Ontario Caregiver Organization

Automatic negative thoughts are uninvited mental narratives that shadow our understanding of reality. In this session the different types of automatic negative thoughts will be described, as well as how leaving these unchecked can lead to the development of emotions such as anger, sadness, anxiety and grief that are common in caregiving relationships. This week will be an opportunity to learn ways to reframe our thinking so that we allow room for curiosity and a healthy relationship with reality.

In this session, we will learn how to utilize the mind-body connection to bring relaxation, self-compassion and overall mindfulness to our experiences. There is significant research demonstrating the positive impact of practicing mindfulness techniques on one’s emotional health and ability to cope with ongoing stress. This will be explored in the context of the caregiver role.

In collaboration with Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto (RGP-T), the Ontario Caregiver Organization presents this free webinar designed for family caregivers to learn about frailty. Older adults living with frailty rely considerably on their family caregivers.

Caregivers that are equipped with tools and strategies to interact effectively with healthcare providers feel a greater sense of control and can ensure that their care recipient’s needs are addressed in the best way possible. In this session, we will show you how to communicate with the healthcare team and how to ask for what you need.

COVID-19 has been a particularly challenging time for families and caregivers who have not been able to visit or provide care to those living in long-term care homes (LTCH). Family Councils of Ontario and the Ontario Caregiver Organization have been actively working together to prepare LTCHs and their family caregivers for the re-opening of doors to visitors.

In this joint presentation, participants will learn to balance safety and infection risk with the need to welcome families back in an inclusive and respectful way. The latest Ministry of Long Term Care guidelines will be presented as will resources and tools (such as Caregiver ID) to help with this balanced approach. Scenarios will be used to illustrate the phased guidelines and the application of the tools. Additional supports for caregivers will be highlighted.

Many caregivers frequently experience stress, anxiety, depression and loneliness. Mindfulness helps us stay in the present so that we can manage negative emotions and build emotional strength. This, in turn, allows us to care for our loved ones more effectively.

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 caregiving responsibilities. As caregivers experience varying levels of stress and burnout; self-care is central to creating balance in one's daily life and caregiving journey.

This session explores self-empathy as a way to transform caregiver guilt, shame, and resentment. About this Event The story about "not enough" comes up when loved ones suffer and we cannot fix it, or resources are limited, or the care recipient unloads frustration and embarrassment on us, or we’re burning out. It can seem unbearable […]

This session invites participants to expand their perspectives and approaches to conflicts. About this Event Many kinds of conflict can arise in the context of caregiving: conflict with oneself, siblings, children, the care recipient, support staff, and medical practitioners. It’s a normal and common part of relationships, but it still catches us off guard and […]

This webinar is intended as a follow-up discussion on the topic of non-violent communication and managing conflict and challenging emotions that caregivers may experience. We were so impressed with the quantity and quality of your questions generated by two previous webinars by Marion Little and Mieko Ise, that we believe they deserve answers. As a […]