Vacation Planning: Tips for Travelling as a Caregiver Travelling when you’re a caregiver can be challenging and sometimes it doesn’t feel possible, but if you can get away for a break, there are things you can do to make the transition easier for both you and the person you care for. | | The Travelling as a Caregiver tipsheet offers a list of things to consider regardless of whether you’re travelling with the care recipient or without. In both cases, it’s important to be realistic about what’s feasible. The needs, logistics, and expectations can vary greatly depending on your situation. Whether you’re planning to travel solo or with your care recipient, preparation and communication are key to a successful travel experience. | Driving Meaningful Change 2024-2025 Impact Report from OCO Last year, OCO saw a significant increase in demand for its programs and services, with 50% more encounters than the year prior. With almost three in every four caregivers experiencing signs of burnout, the spike in demand tells a clear story; the programs and services offered through OCO are critically needed right now and looking ahead, they will be even more so. OCO’s Impact Report Driving Meaningful Change highlights the different ways we are connecting caregivers to support and how we’re embedding caregiving into the culture of healthcare, generating solutions with caregivers, and amplifying their voices to influence change. We invite you to read the report and learn more about how OCO is improving the lives of caregivers in Ontario. | | Recognizing the Signs of Burnout | The emotional and physical toll of caregiving can sneak up on you so slowly that you might not even realize it is happening. How do you know if you’re starting to experience burnout? There are signs like aches and pains, changes in your sleep patterns, and feelings of increased frustration. Stephanie Muskat, a caregiver and mental health clinician, shares these signs and tips: -
Physical and mental exhaustion can start out as fatigue and then leave you feeling extremely drained or depleted. Talk to your doctor or other healthcare professionals and connect with family and friends to see if they may be able to help out with some of the tasks you manage. -
Rest and sleep are crucial to your own health and wellness. Before bed, try to limit screen time, practice relaxation techniques, and breathing exercises. -
Caregiving can sometimes make you feel like you have lost control of your life and it’s normal to experience negative feelings like frustration. But if you’re constantly feeling overwhelmed, resentful, or even angry, it’s important to acknowledge these emotions instead of pushing them aside. It’s okay to seek support and talk with someone you trust – addressing these feelings can help restore your emotional balance. Your health is important. For more ideas on how you can support your wellness visit Care for Yourself | Caregiving Isn’t Just About Caring for the Elderly by Hélène Larocque Please note: This article discusses topics related to self-harm, which may be distressing or triggering to some readers. Please proceed with caution. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 911 for a medical emergency or 988 for a mental health crisis. When we think about caregiving, many of us picture caring for an aging parent or elderly relative. However, caregiving can involve people of all ages with various needs. As a caregiver to my 24-year-old daughter, I’ve realized that caregiving is a complex and deeply personal journey that isn’t always visible to others. In 2017, my daughter was diagnosed with several mental health conditions, including Complex PTSD, General Anxiety Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), ADHD, an eating disorder, and severe depression. | | She has struggled with self-harm since she was 12 and has attempted suicide multiple times. It is heartbreaking to see her face these daily challenges. At the same time, it strengthens my resolve to advocate for her needs and look for resources that can help her recovery. After we moved to Ottawa, I had a hard time navigating the mental health system; it felt like a full-time job. Luckily, I found valuable support through family peer connections and specialized programs from PLEO (Parents Lifeline of Eastern Ontario) and the Ottawa BPD Network. These resources helped me understand my daughter’s condition and manage the emotional challenges of caregiving. Alongside these resources, I also reached out to the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO). They provided many tools and support specifically designed for caregivers. It has been comforting to know that I’m not alone and that there is a strong community of caregivers who understand my struggles. When I became a parent, I envisioned a life where my child would grow up, finish school, and live a “normal” life. However, my daughter was never able to get past eighth grade and has been unable to work due to her complex disabilities. Despite these challenges, I remain hopeful as I continue to support her healing journey. From my personal experience, I’ve learned that caregiving requires not only physical support but also emotional strength. It’s easy to lose sight of your own needs when you’re focused on helping someone else, but taking care of yourself is just as important. While caregiving can be tough, it’s a journey we don’t have to walk alone when we have the right resources and support. | Share Your Story Your unique experiences can provide valuable insights and hope for others. We invite you to share your story, challenges, and lessons learned to help others who are on this journey. | Help us Spread the Word Do you know someone who will step into the caregiving role in the next five years? Let them know we need their help. The OCO is creating resources to support future caregivers in planning now for the responsibility. We’re partnering with Intent, a communications agency, to host two focus groups with future caregivers (approximately 10 participants per group). | | Our goal is to understand what future caregivers are thinking about, what information can help them now, and what barriers exist in getting started with planning for the role. Why Participate? - Share personal insights that could influence how future caregivers are supported
- Be part of a collaborative effort to change the conversation about caregiving
- Contribute to an important initiative that will improve the lives of future caregivers
- Receive an honorarium of $50 for participating
If you know someone who anticipates becoming a caregiver in the next five years, we would greatly appreciate your help in encouraging them to join this focus group. Please encourage them to get in touch with us: info@ontariocaregiver.ca | July 31: Learn More About the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) The Government of Canada introduced the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) in 2008 to help individuals with disabilities and their families secure financial support. This webinar will provide an overview of the plan, benefits for persons with disabilities, how caregivers can support it, and guidance on the application process. Save Your Spot | | August 7: Supporting Caregivers Made Simple: A Guide to Using C-CART OCO is excited to welcome Dr. Adriana Shnall from Baycrest to introduce the Canadian Caregiver Assist and Referral Tool (C-CART), an easy-to-use online tool that helps family caregivers identify their needs and connect with local resources. Join us to learn about the tool’s development and how to use it to get resources. Register Today | | In this Time to Talk episode, host Michelle Jobin talks with Becky Western-Macfadyen from Credit Canada about practical ways for caregivers to improve their financial resilience. Becky shares budgeting tips and advice to avoid credit traps. She also offers insights to help caregivers manage their money and plan for the future with confidence. Listen Now | | Taking care of yourself is vital when you’re a caregiver. In this webinar, nurse and healthcare leader, Laura Jackson shares practical strategies for self-compassion, building daily routines that support your well-being, and how to set healthy boundaries without guilt. Watch It Again | | As a caregiver to someone who is facing a terminal illness, you may need to face some challenging decisions and experience grief or other difficult feelings. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and seek support when needed. Discover What Tools And Resources Are Available | | Share With a Friend Did you find this newsletter useful? Please share with someone you know who may benefit from OCO's free programs and services, resources, and stories. | | | | |
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