Join us for an insightful webinar hosted by the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) in collaboration with Indus Community Services, and The Region of Peel Senior Services Development. This webinar will take a closer look at how caregiving is experienced across different cultures. You’ll hear first-hand from a caregiver in the Punjabi community about their personal story and gain a deeper understanding of the cultural values and norms that shape caregiving perspectives.

In this session, we’ll explore:
• The inspiring work of Indus Community Services in supporting caregivers within their cultural context
• The vital role caregivers play in the diverse communities of Ontario, with a spotlight on the Punjabi community in Peel, illustrated through a caregiver’s own journey and experience
• The newly adapted ‘I am a Caregiver’ toolkits from OCO, which are now available to download for free. They’re designed to empower and support caregivers from all backgrounds.

Our Speakers:
Indus Community Services is an accredited, not-for-profit community benefit organization that has served local communities for 40 years. The agency is a registered charity supported by its donors and by all three levels of government. Indus, through its professional staff of 150+ personnel, are leaders in providing culturally appropriate services to newcomers, families, women and seniors.

Region of Peel Building Caregiver Capacity Collaborative (BCCC) and Social Prescribing Pilot: Region of Peel (ROP) has been delivering a wide range of resident focused programs and services to enhance Peel’s communities for over 50 years. The BCCC brings together caregivers, service providers, funders and community organizers to strengthen caregiver support services and programs. The BCCC also creates space for providers to share resources, identify service gaps, and develop action plans that address caregiver priorities. Recently, ROP launched a social prescribing pilot program supporting caregivers.

Caregiving can bring profound emotional challenges. If you’re ever wondering why simple tasks feel so overwhelming, why you feel so isolated or why you experience anger or tears unexpectedly in your caregiving journey, you’re not alone. Alongside the physical demands, caregivers often face complex emotions tied to grief and loss. This webinar will explore how these feelings manifest and provide you with valuable insights into managing them.

OCO is pleased to welcome the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, who will guide us through the unique ways that grief and loss affect caregiving. In this session, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of:

• The different types of grief, including ambiguous, anticipatory, and disenfranchised grief
• How to recognize and process the complex emotions that arise while caring for someone with dementia
• Practical tools and strategies for you to manage these emotions, along with information on finding support in your community

Our presenting organization: The Alzheimer Society of Ontario offers programs and services to help people living with dementia, care partners, and healthcare professionals get the support they need most.

This webinar will be held on Thursday, January 8th, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET, with a repeat session on Thursday, January 15th, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET. Please note that both sessions will cover the same content, and we kindly ask that you select one session to attend.

As a caregiver, your days are filled with endless tasks – from helping with daily activities to managing medications and creating a safe home environment. However, one of the most significant risks for older adults, and one that can largely be prevented, is falling.

Join us for a special webinar with Parachute, Canada’s injury prevention charity, to learn important strategies and resources to help protect older adults. You’ll walk away with practical tools to support your caregiving responsibilities.

What you’ll gain by attending:
• Insights into Parachute’s work that help Canadians live longer
• Tools and strategies to protect older adults from falling
• A first look at the new Caregivers’ Guide to Fall Prevention

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your caregiving skills and make the home a safer place.

Our speaker: Parachute is Canada’s national charity dedicated to reducing the devastating impact of preventable injuries. Parachute, founded in 2012, focuses on three key areas where people are unintentionally injured: in the home, at play, and on the move. Through education and advocacy, Parachute is working to save lives and create a Canada free of serious injuries.

Are you a parent or caregiver feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure? You’re not alone.

When you’re parenting or caring for a child with developmental disabilities, mental health challenges, or other complex needs, it can add another layer of emotional complexity. OCO welcomes the George Hull Centre for a supportive webinar on managing caregiver anxiety and reminding you that there is ‘no shame in your game’ as a parent or caregiver.

In this session, you’ll learn:

Our Speakers:
Karen Mighty is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the George Hull Centre for Children and Families. In addition to her professional expertise, Karen brings valuable lived experience as a caregiver to her teenage son, who has a diagnosis of Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her dual perspective –as both a DEI leader and a parent – deepens her commitment to creating inclusive, compassionate systems that serve all children and families.

Trecia Lamey is a Senior Social Worker at the George Hull Centre for Children and Families. She brings a strong foundation in culturally responsive and trauma-informed care to her clinical work. Trecia is deeply committed to meaningful parent engagement and integrates a strengths-based, inclusive lens into her support of children and families navigating complex needs

As a caregiver, you may be supporting someone with insomnia, or you might have been diagnosed with the disorder yourself. Either way, it’s important to understand the type of care you can expect from your healthcare providers. Knowing the quality standards for care is essential for both patients and caregivers to set clear expectations.

The OCO welcomes back Ontario Health to discuss the new quality standard for Insomnia Disorder. This webinar will provide you with valuable information, tools, and resources.

Join us to learn about:

Our Speakers:
Mafo Yakubu is a Lead in the Clinical and Quality Standards Program at Ontario Health. Mafo led the development of the Insomnia Disorder and Palliative Care quality standards. Her leadership continues to drive evidence-based improvements through inclusive collaboration and key partner engagement.

Jessica Ostrega is a Senior Specialist in the Clinical Improvement and Informatics team at Ontario Health. She led the resource allocation, communication, and dissemination of the Insomnia Disorder quality standard. Her work reflects a strong commitment to system-level improvement through strategic outreach and program development.

Join us for an insightful look into the life of a caregiver and the challenges they may face. Learn how the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) provides support along the way.

In this session, OCO’s CEO, Amy Coupal will be chatting with a caregiver as they share their story and journey – the ups, the
downs, and how OCO’s free programs and services have been there for them every step of the way.

Come to hear the stories, and stay to discover more about:

We’ll also take you on a step-by-step walkthrough of the OCO website, showing you how to access, find, and register for
programs designed to support you. By the end of the session, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how OCO’s resources
can make a meaningful difference in your caregiving journey.

Who should join this webinar? This webinar is for anyone who wants to better understand the caregiver’s journey and explore the free programs and services that OCO offers.

Note: We encourage caregivers to submit any questions they may have when filling out the Eventbrite registration form.

Please limit questions to only OCO programs and services. While we strive to answer as many questions as possible, some may not be addressed due to time constraints.

93% of Canadians believe it’s important to talk about their wishes for their care with family and friends. Yet only 1 in 5 has a plan.1 As a caregiver, knowing what matters most to your care recipient can help you honour their wishes and give you peace of mind if they become too sick to make decisions. But when is the right time to start these conversations? How do you approach the subject? Are there tools and resources to guide you through the process?In this informative session, the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association will explain what advance care planning (ACP) is and provide you with practical tools and tips to support your care recipient with confidence.
Takeaways for you:
•Review of the “My Advance Care Planning Guide” – this guide helps you through the planning process and with making a record of the plan
•Real-life experiences and insights from caregivers who’ve used these resources
• Practical strategies to navigate tough conversations• How to choose the right resources and tools for your situation
Our speaker: Karine Diedrich is Acting Co-CEO and Director of Programs at the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association. She joined after serving as Vice-President, Public Engagement and Knowledge Mobilization at Volunteer Canada. She has a BA from Carleton University and a Professional Certificate in Partnership Management from the Norman Patterson School of International Affairs. 1 2021 ACP Canada National Poll

*LIVE SESSION ONLY
Planning for the future is a crucial step for caregivers of individuals with disabilities, but knowing what financial options are available can often feel overwhelming. This webinar, presented by Plan Institute, will provide you with the information and resources you need to make informed financial decisions.
Join us to learn about:
• Key benefits and credits available for people with disabilities and their families, including the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), and the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB).
• How to create a financial plan that ensures a secure future for you and the person you care for.
• Helpful tools and resources available for caregivers, including guidance on how to access additional support.
Our speaker:
Liss Cairns (they/them) is the Program Manager at Plan Institute, a national non-profit organization that empowers people with disabilities and their families through education, resources, and personalized support. They focus on helping people navigate financial planning, disability benefits, wills and trusts, housing, employment, and caregiver support. Liss brings their lived experience as a disabled person, family caregiver, and professional expertise to this webinar, offering both personal and professional insights into disability planning.
NOTE: *This webinar will NOT be recorded. We also ask that you DO NOT record this session as the information can change
without notice.

OCO is excited to welcome Baycrest and Dr. Adriana Shnall, Program Director of the Baycrest Koschitzky Centre for Innovations in Caregiving, to introduce the Canadian Caregiver Assist and Referral Tool (C-CART).

C-CART is a user-friendly online tool designed for family caregivers. It helps caregivers identify their needs and connects them to local resources, support, and services. By answering a few simple questions, caregivers receive personalized recommendations to assist them in managing their caregiving responsibilities and taking care of themselves.

Join us to learn about:

Our speaker: Dr. Adriana Shnall, PhD, MSW, RSW, is the Program Director of the Baycrest Koschitzky Centre for Innovations in Family Caregiving and an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. A recognized leader, educator, and advocate, Dr. Shnall serves on two caregiver-focused boards and frequently presents on topics related to caregiving, aging, and dementia. Her work integrates clinical practice, education, research, and advocacy to improve the lives of older adults and their families.

Webinar description: The Government of Canada recognizes that long-term financial security is a significant concern for people with disabilities and their families. To address this, the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) was introduced in 2008 to help individuals with disabilities, along with their families, to save for the future. We are pleased to welcome Jennifer Soucy, who will provide an overview on the following topics:

Our speaker: Jennifer Soucy is a policy analyst for the Canada Disability Savings Program within the Office for Disability Issues, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

*This webinar will NOT be recorded and is intended to provide general information only.

Right now, a caregiver in Ontario is wondering if they can keep going.

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Four million Ontarians are caring for a loved one and 69% say they’re not sure they can continue. They’re exhausted, and they need help.

Your gift to the Ontario Caregiver Organization connects caregivers with free, compassionate support.

Every caregiver deserves to know they’re not alone. Donate today.

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