DECEMBER 2024 

Warm Holiday Wishes from OCO

As the holiday season approaches, we want to extend our deepest thanks to all the caregivers who make a difference every day. Your commitment and compassion do not go unnoticed, and we are grateful for the care you provide.

Wishing you a peaceful holiday season and a very happy new year.

NEW: The Janet Beed Impact Award

The OCO is thrilled to announce the Janet Beed Impact Award!

This award will honour an individual who has made a significant contribution to improving the lives of caregivers through their participation in change initiatives and/or the sharing of their lived experience. The recipient of this award is recognized as a driver of solution generation and collaboration with caregivers and system partners to address issues that impact caregivers.

Named after Janet Beed, the award is in recognition of her exemplary leadership and legacy in highlighting and addressing the growing need for caregiver support in Ontario.

Who is eligible?

Nominees must:

• Be a resident of Ontario

• Be 12 years of age or older

• Have extensive personal experience providing unpaid care to a family member, partner, friend, and/or neighbour in Ontario

• Have use(d) their lived caregiver experience to inform the positive change or impact on the caregiving landscape in Ontario

• Align with the values of the Ontario Caregiver Organization

Deadline – Midnight January 5, 2025.

Learn more

Spotlight Report

This year’s Spotlight Report once again reveals the increasing toll that caregiving is having on Ontario’s 4 million caregivers.

More caregivers report feeling unable to cope with their caregiving role (32%, up from 28% last year), and 72% now say they feel so burned out, they’re not sure how they will continue (up from 67% last year).

Year-over-year, OCO is responding to the increasing demand for its free programs and services. We know these programs are making a difference, with some caregiver participants indicating an 80% reduction in distress because of the support received. But we know there is much more work to be done.

We are constantly challenging ourselves to find new and innovative ways to reach caregivers and evolve our programs and services to support caregivers before they begin to experience signs of burnout. We continue to work with health system partners to ensure caregivers are recognized, included, and supported as part of the care team, and with employers who can play a role in supporting caregiver employees.

Learn more about the caregiving experience in Ontario, and how OCO is working to improve the lives of caregivers.

Download our Spotlight Report

Caregivers are Essential Partners in Care

Caregivers are the backbone of our healthcare system, delivering an estimated 75% of all care. They are the vital link that weaves together every aspect of patient care, offering invaluable insights that are essential for keeping care recipients healthy and safe. Their support not only enhances the well-being of those they care for but also empowers healthcare providers in their roles.  

In this video, seven caregivers and two healthcare providers share their personal stories, illuminating the realities of caregiving. Their experiences underscore the importance of identifying, including, and supporting caregivers in the healthcare system.   

Watch it here

Supporting Diverse Caregivers

Caregivers from diverse backgrounds often face significant obstacles in navigating our health system. Cultural and language barriers often leave them unaware of vital resources. This gap can lead to caregivers feeling isolated and unsupported, which ultimately affects their well-being. 

To help ensure all caregivers receive the support they need, OCO partnered with the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation and caregivers to translate our 'I Am a Caregiver' toolkit into five additional languages including Cantonese, Mandarin, Tamil, Punjabi, and Tagalog. OCO has also created tailored resources for English-speaking Black caregivers.  

Share a toolkit with a friend today

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