Ontario Caregivers Organization

WEBINAR DESCRIPTION: Journal writing can be a form of self-care for caregivers at any stage of their caregiving journey. Donna Fitzgerald, a former caregiver, learned the value of writing and journaling to develop self-awareness. She will explain how journaling can enlighten and enrich our purpose and meaning. In this webinar, Donna will also share how journaling can be a path to healing and rediscovering oneself. You will have a chance to practice journaling during this session, so have your pen and paper ready! Two winners will be chosen from a random draw of entries to win Donna’s journaling workbook. Details of the draw will be provided during the webinar. SPEAKER BIO: After being a caregiver to her late husband for six years as he battled ALS and passed away in 2004, Donna made a commitment to be of service to others. Since her husband’s death, she has volunteered in her community supporting families and caregivers for the past sixteen years. Her volunteer work includes the Kingston Chapter of the ALS Society, the Neuromuscular Clinic in Kingston, and Hospice Kingston. She received the 2007 – 2008 Volunteer Excellence Award from ALS Ontario. Donna is the co-author of Creative Healing Through Transformation: […]

Webinar Description: Caregiving is complicated. Knowing where to turn and how to care for yourself can be overwhelming. Caregiver coaches get it – they have real-life experience, tips, and tools to help you! Join our webinar with a Caregiver Coach to: Discover helpful OCO tools and resources Try some practical 5-minute self-help activities you can do TODAY Learn how to create a self-care plan with helpful tips Our Speaker: Suzanne McKenna has been a caregiver for 15 years for her son with a severe traumatic brain injury due to an accident. With a certification in Motivational Interviewing/Counselling and ten years of work experience as a System Navigator, she has many skills in compassionate support. As a caregiver coach and mentor, Suzanne guides the caregiver in building confidence through their ups and downs, helps find resources and encourages them to find time for themselves without guilt. Details: Date: Thursday, August 11th, 2022 Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET Place: Zoom (link provided via email to those who register) Free For any difficulty with registration or any other questions, please contact us at info@ontariocaregiver.ca or call 1-888-877-1626 X 1011 Register today! Ce webinaire est également disponible en anglais. apprendre encore plus: […]

Webinar Description: Transitioning between hospital and home can be stressful for family caregivers and their care recipients. In partnership with Ontario Health, this webinar provides caregivers with information, resources, and tools to support patient transitions between hospital and home. We will hear lived experiences from two caregivers, and Dr. Karen Okrainec, a Clinician-Scientist and Assistant Professor at University Health Network and the University of Toronto. Dr. Okrainec will showcase the Patient Oriented Discharge Summary (PODS) tool, designed to alleviate stress for patients and their caregivers during transitions. Webinar participants will learn how to: Understand the importance of seamless, fully coordinated transitions between hospital and home Use the quality standard and patient guide to support conversations with health care providers on a written transition plan, medications, home and community care, medical equipment and devices, follow-up appointments, and possible changes to your routine at home Identify tools and resources that can help support families and caregivers through the transition process Register for a chance to win an OCO water bottle! Details: Date: Thursday, September 22, 2022 Time: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. ET Place: Zoom (link provided via email to those who register) Free For any difficulty with registration or any other questions, […]

Nurturing mental health and wellness for caregivers - Supporting Caregiver Awareness, Learning and Empowerment (SCALE) Program The SCALE Program aims to empower caregivers with practical information and skills to focus on their mental health and well-being needs by offering: • Weekly psychoeducational webinars (LIVE or RECORDED) are divided into two 4-week sessions (see below for Session 1 and Session 2 topics). You may register for all of Session 1, Session 2, or individual webinars to suit your needs. • Strategies, tools, and resources to better cope with difficult caregiving emotions. • Free and confidential online group and/or individual counselling (OPTIONAL). *Space is limited. Registration is based on a first-come, first-served basis. *If you’re planning to access these services, it is highly encouraged that you register for the full session of webinars to receive the maximum benefit from group or individual counselling. “The counselling was incredible and life-changing…the webinars had the right balance of information and self-directed work. I’ve used the accompanying resources to build my road to wellness. I was able to apply the knowledge, strategies and tactics to my work-life too. The benefits of the SCALE program brought wellness to all aspects of my being.” – Caregiver SESSION 1: […]

Family caregivers play an invaluable part in supporting people living with heart failure. However, this role can be stressful and overwhelming, and it may be difficult for caregivers to balance their needs with their care recipient. In recognition of Heart Month, join us for a presentation given by two heart failure caregivers, Cindy Yip and John Yudelman, who who will share their challenges, experiences, and helpful supports they found on their caregiver journeys. You will also hear from Dr. Phyllis Billia, cardiologist at UHN’s Peter Munk Cardiac Centre. Dr. Billia specializes in heart failure, focused on patients undergoing advanced therapies. She will provide practical resources and explain care strategies and support for caregivers. Social Media: Twitter: @trogersresearch Website: https://ourhearthub.ca/ Email: thehearthub@uhn.ca During the webinar, we will be drawing for 2 $25 dollar Starbucks gift cards. And, for all attendees who complete the post-webinar survey, 2 more people will be eligible to enter a draw to win a $25 dollar Starbucks gift card. The first two cards will be during the webinar, and the second two cards will be once the survey closes the following week. The draws are only available to residents of Ontario. Winners will be contacted via email […]

Caring for yourself is one of the most important things you can do as a caregiver. But often, caregivers prioritize the needs of others over their own. In this webinar, Laura Jackson, a registered nurse and healthcare leader will identify ways to care for yourself. You will learn: The art and science of self-compassion and how to cultivate it in your life Tips for making and developing your own routine to practice self-compassion and mindfulness How to foster boundaries as a caregiver without guilt, anger, and resentment Our Speaker: Laura Jackson RN, BScN, MN, CPMHN(C), NBC-HWC is a caregiver, healthcare leader, mental health, and self-care advocate. She has worked in various roles, including as a health and lifestyle coach, mindfulness, yoga and self-compassion facilitator, wellness leader, healthcare administrator and professional practice clinician. She currently works in mental health as well as maintains a private wellness practice. Date: Thursday, July 13th, 2023 Time: 12 to 1 p.m. ET Place: Zoom (link provided via email to those who register) Cost: Free Please note that this presentation is available in English only. Pour de l’information sur nos programmes et services en français, visitez www.ontariocaregiver.ca/fr ou communiquez avec nous par courriel à info@ontariocaregiver.ca. For […]