Connect newsletter August 2024

VOLUME 55 - AUGUST 2024

August 31 Is Overdose Awareness Day

Addiction can be a difficult issue to discuss and address. Many individuals battling addictions never seek treatment, and for those who do, it is often a last resort. Caregiving for someone with an addiction or substance use can be challenging. The experience can bring about significant pain and suffering for everyone involved, and the relationship dynamics can also be complicated.

Take the First Step. Reach Out For Help.

Caregiver Voices: Your Ideas and Experiences Can Help Others

Caregiver Voices is our online advisory panel where caregivers can share their experiences to help inform OCO’s work as well as research and activities in the broader caregiving space. Members of the forum can provide input on ideas, tools, and programs, take surveys on different aspects of caregiving, and offer insights to guide the development of caregiver-focused services, research, webinars, and more.

Here’s how it works:

You will receive emails once or twice a month inviting you to participate in a discussion, survey or other request.
Topics will vary, i.e. identifying financial support for caregivers, ideas for webinars, etc.
You are free to select which requests you respond to and can keep your responses anonymous.

Your contribution can make a real impact on Ontario’s 4 million caregivers now and in the future.

Join the Caregiver Voices Community

Caregiver Coaching Gives You the Personalized Support You Need

Are you experiencing burnout and feeling stressed? Do you struggle to balance your caregiving role or find time for yourself?

Our Caregiver Coaching Program is here for you. It is a professional one-to-one relationship between a coach and a caregiver that provides you with tools and resources to problem-solve and set goals for your caregiving responsibilities. Coaching can be a vital support at a critical point in a caregiver’s journey.

Discover Our Caregiver Coaching Program

Time to Talk Podcast: Self-Advocacy and the Healthcare Complaint Process with Patient Ombudsman of Ontario

Woman listening to a podcast in the street

Join us for a conversation with Ontario’s Patient Ombudsman Craig Thompson. From the halls of public hospitals to long-term care homes, Craig opens up about the challenges and triumphs of his role in facilitating resolution without bias.

In this episode, we discussed the human side of the complaint process as Craig recounts touching stories of empowerment and transformation. We also dive into Craig’s pursuit of a responsive and accountable healthcare system for all Ontarians. Through his lens, we gain a deeper understanding of the resilience and compassion that drive Ontario's patient advocacy efforts.

Listen Now

Webinar Replay: Intimacy and Connection In the Caregiver-Partner Relationship

Caregiving brings significant changes to how we experience life and our relationships with family members. Join Michal Goldstein, a registered social worker, in this webinar as we explore the shifts that occur in the dynamics of intimate partner relationships. You will learn how the general challenges of caregiving can overshadow the deeper relationship needs between the caregiver and care recipient. We will also explore how caregivers can manage some of the challenges that arise within this shifting dynamic. This includes addressing feelings of isolation and guilt, changes in intimacy, and learning tools to regain connection and intimacy.

Watch the Replay Now

Upcoming Webinars

Title: Understanding the New Canadian Dental Plan

Date: Thursday, August 27, 2024

Time: 12 – 1 p.m. ET **LIVE SESSION ONLY

Register Here

Title: Succession Planning 101 with Caregivers

Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024

Time: 12 – 1 p.m. ET

Register Here