Caregiver Grief and LossGrief and loss can be difficult for some caregivers. Explore resources to find some tips and insights for moving forward.
Caregiver Mental Health and Well-BeingSupporting your own health and well-being is important to prevent caregiver burnout. Explore our resources and find support that may help you in your caregiving role.
Emotions and Caregiving Our resources can help you understand some of the emotions you might experience on your caregiving journey and how you can manage them.
Dementia or Alzheimer’s DiseaseAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with neurocognitive disorders like dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Cancer DiagnosisAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with a cancer diagnosis.
AutismAccess helpful resources related to supporting an autistic person.
Developmental DisabilityAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with a developmental disability.
Heart ConditionAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with a heart condition.
Mobility ChallengesAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with mobility challenges.
Mental Illness or AddictionAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with mental illness and/or addiction.
Eating DisorderAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with an eating disorder.
EpilepsyAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with epilepsy.
Health Privacy & ConsentAccess resources to support caregivers in conversations about health privacy and consent.
Virtual HealthcareAccess information to help you plan for a successful virtual healthcare appointment.
Advance Care Planning Learn more about advance care planning and how you can help ensure the person you're caring for recieves the care they need.
Palliative & End of Life CareAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with palliative and end of life care.
Contingency & Emergency PlanningLearn more about contingency and emergency planning and how you can help ensure the person you're caring for receives the care they need during an emergency.
Caregiver Grief and LossGrief and loss can be difficult for some caregivers. Explore resources to find some tips and insights for moving forward.
Caregiver Mental Health and Well-BeingSupporting your own health and well-being is important to prevent caregiver burnout. Explore our resources and find support that may help you in your caregiving role.
Emotions and Caregiving Our resources can help you understand some of the emotions you might experience on your caregiving journey and how you can manage them.
Dementia or Alzheimer’s DiseaseAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with neurocognitive disorders like dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Cancer DiagnosisAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with a cancer diagnosis.
AutismAccess helpful resources related to supporting an autistic person.
Developmental DisabilityAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with a developmental disability.
Heart ConditionAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with a heart condition.
Mobility ChallengesAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with mobility challenges.
Mental Illness or AddictionAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with mental illness and/or addiction.
Eating DisorderAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with an eating disorder.
EpilepsyAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with epilepsy.
Health Privacy & ConsentAccess resources to support caregivers in conversations about health privacy and consent.
Virtual HealthcareAccess information to help you plan for a successful virtual healthcare appointment.
Advance Care Planning Learn more about advance care planning and how you can help ensure the person you're caring for recieves the care they need.
Palliative & End of Life CareAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with palliative and end of life care.
Contingency & Emergency PlanningLearn more about contingency and emergency planning and how you can help ensure the person you're caring for receives the care they need during an emergency.
Caregiving can be emotionally, physically, and mentally demanding. If you feel anxious and overwhelmed by your caregiving responsibilities, you’re not alone.
Peer support provides emotional support and encouragement based on shared experiences.
Our 1:1 Peer Support Program offers a safe and non-judgemental space for caregivers to discuss their concerns and share their experiences with someone who understands.
Two Ways to Get Support
The OCO offers two ways for caregivers to connect with peers for support, our 1:1 Peer Support Program and our Online Support Groups.
The program matches you with a trained volunteer Peer Mentor to connect with through regular phone calls. Here’s how to get started.
1. Register
Your registration will help us understand if the 1:1 Peer Support Program is the right fit for your needs. The Program Lead for Peer Support will reach out to you directly to guide you through the process. All program participants are required to sign a Confidentiality Pledge to ensure your conversations remain private and confidential.
2. Select a Peer Mentor
You will be given the opportunity to learn more about our available Peer Mentors and select who you would like to speak with.
3. Connect
Your volunteer Peer Mentor will reach out to you by phone to connect directly. In speaking with your Peer Mentor, you will have the opportunity to share your experiences, gain insight, and learn from someone who has been where you are.
Online support groups are driven by caregivers to discuss their most important issues. Each group is facilitated by a trained Peer Support Group Facilitator with experience as a current or former caregiver.
All participants must sign a Confidentiality Pledge before joining an Online Support Group to ensure privacy and confidentiality. This will be sent to you after registration.
OCO provides capacity building grants to caregivers needing support through Family Support Networks (FSNs) in Ontario- peer-based groups for family members and other unpaid caregivers who are supporting adults living with developmental disabilities. This program is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS).
Caring for a Terminally Ill Child: Finding Support and Managing Grief
What’s in this podcast:
Caregiver Katherine shares her experience caring for her son, and how an OCO peer mentor helped overcome feelings of isolation.
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.
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.
I’m a caregiver
Peer Support Participant
read
The 1:1 Peer Support Program Was an Amazing Experience
“The peer mentor program and Elaine really helped me get through some tough times. Elaine was an excellent mentor and was very open to sharing her experience. She was supportive, a great listener and directed me to a few groups (Alzheimer’s society) which provided me with resources to help me through the journey. She was always available if I needed to talk or if I needed some help knowing where to go next.”
