With the holiday season just around the corner, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the caregivers who make a meaningful impact every day. Your dedication and kindness truly matter, and we are deeply appreciative of the care you give. May your holiday season be filled with peace, and may the new year bring you joy and fulfilment. | 2025 Spotlight Report on Caregivers | Caregivers are the cornerstone of the Ontario healthcare system. Today, 4.2 million Ontarians provide care to a family member, partner, friend, or neighbour, and that number is expected to climb to 6.5 million by 2030. An aging population, rising life expectancy, and a shift towards community-based care have extended both the duration and intensity of caregiving, creating significant strain on caregivers. OCO’s latest Spotlight Report looks at the experience of caregivers, what’s new and what continues to be the same. - Caregivers are finding it difficult to maintain their own health and well-being because of their caregiving role. 72% of caregivers say they can’t maintain their own healthy habits.
- Caregivers are facing greater financial hardship because of their caregiving responsibilities. The average out of pocket cost per month is now $758, up from $641 in 2024. This extra pressure, along with increasing economic uncertainty, has made financial impact one of the most stressful aspects of being a caregiver.
- Working caregivers are finding it hard to balance between work and caregiving responsibilities. 41% or 1.7 million Ontarians, say they are considering leaving the workforce to focus on providing care.
OCO will continue to play a key role in providing the support caregivers need. Year-over-year, OCO is reaching more caregivers with its programs and services that are designed to support caregiver health and well-being. Whether it’s through education, peer support, the 24/7 Caregiver Helpline, or one of the many other programs offered, we consistently hear OCO is making a difference. This growing demand is enabling OCO to expand its offerings, while also positioning the organization to continue its work with health system leaders and employers to help ensure caregivers are recognized, included, and supported in their role. The data outlined in the Spotlight report not only helps to guide OCO’s work, but it is also shared broadly with government, health system partners, organizations that interact with caregivers, and the public so there is a common understanding of the caregiving experience and what caregivers need to continue to provide care in a sustainable way. Read Our Latest Spotlight Report | Finding Caregiver Balance During the Holidays | December marks a season of holiday gatherings and festivities. But for many caregivers, this season can often bring an overwhelming sense of stress. Those who are already juggling multiple responsibilities may find the emotional and physical demands even more intense during this season. The added pressure along with planning for travel, special meals, and holiday activities can make the season feel more like a stressor than a time of relaxation or celebration. Here are some tips that can make the holidays more enjoyable for caregivers: Create a holiday budget. The holidays don’t have to be about lavish spending. Try to prioritize what’s most important to you and the person you care for. You can start by breaking down all potential expenses like gifts, meals, travels, and entertainment. With a budget plan in place, you can make conscious decisions about where to spend and where to cut back. You can also have an honest conversation with family and friends about financial constraints. When everyone understands the situation, it can help reduce expectations and foster understanding. Take advantage of community resources. Some organizations in your local community may offer support during the holiday season. These resources can range from respite support, local programming, and community resources that may help alleviate some challenges for caregivers. Connect with a Community Resource Specialist from the Ontario Caregiver Helpline (1-833-416-2273) and find the support you need. Your health matters. The holidays can take a toll on a caregiver’s mental and physical health. Between caregiving responsibilities and holiday festivities, it can feel easier to skip meals, rely on fast food, or miss your exercise routine. However, your well-being is important too. The first step is to set clear boundaries and recognize when you need a break. Don’t feel guilty for taking time for yourself or adjusting your holiday traditions to lessen the workload. Try to prioritize eating well, exercising, and continuing to engage in your hobbies. Watch this webinar on how you can navigate and reduce holiday caregiver stress with Dr. Patrick McGrath. | Get Ready to Celebrate Caregivers Who Inspire Change! | Coming Soon: Starting January 12, 2026, OCO will begin accepting nominations for the Janet Beed Impact Award. OCO will once again be recognizing a caregiver with the Janet Beed Impact Award on Caregiver Day – April 7, 2026. The award is named after Janet Beed in honour of her leadership in addressing the growing need for caregiver support in Ontario. If you know someone who is collaborating with caregivers and system partners to generate solutions that positively impact caregivers in Ontario, consider submitting a nomination. Eligible nominees: - Live in Ontario
- Are 12 years of age or older
- Have significant unpaid caregiving experience
- Have used their voice and experience to influence change, whether through advocacy collaboration, or solution-building
- Embody the values of the Ontario Caregiver Organization
Watch for more information in the coming weeks at ontariocaregiver.ca or on our social media channels. | Embrace the Shift: Join Our Change in Caregiver Identity Support Group | Caregiving can be a deeply transformative experience. But what happens when that role changes, or even comes to an end? Whether you’ve recently found yourself navigating a shift in the care needs of the person you support, transitioning to end-of-life care, or facing the challenging reality of loss, these changes can create a whirlwind of emotions. The Change in Caregiver Identity Support Group is for caregivers who are adjusting to a new phase in their journey. This group is here to help you explore and process the complex emotions that arise when your caregiving identity evolves. In this welcoming space, you’ll connect with others who truly understand what you’re going through. We’ll explore themes like: - Adjusting to life post-caregiving and how to rediscover yourself after a significant change
- Managing feelings of loss, relief, and everything in between
- Finding a new sense of purpose and what comes next when caregiving ends
- Supporting each other through shared experiences
Please note, while feelings of grief and sadness are welcome, this group focuses on the emotional transition and validation of your journey – not on grief counselling. - When: Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month
- Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM (ET)
Join us for a safe, supportive, and empowering space where you can heal, connect, and find your new path forward. Register Today | Your Unique Experiences Can Provide Valuable Insights and Hope for Others | Caregivers tell us they appreciate hearing from other caregivers. Often their stories can make them feel less alone. In OCO’s weekly 90Second Caregiver newsletter, we share real stories from real caregivers. A story might involve a specific challenge you faced, how you may have overcome it, what you’ve learned as a caregiver and would like to pass along. You can decide what you want to share. Stories can be shared in writing, and they can be anonymous. Here’s an example of how your story would be used. If we share your story in our newsletter, you will be eligible for a $100 honorarium. If you’re unsure about how to share your story, this tip sheet will guide you through the process and provide helpful advice. Submit Your Story Here | January 8: Why Do I Feel This Way? Understanding Grief in Dementia Caregiving (Repeat session: January 15 at 7pm) Caregiving can bring profound emotional challenges, making simple task feel overwhelming and triggering unexpected emotions like anger. Besides the physical demands, caregivers often face complex emotions tied to grief and loss. This webinar, Alzheimer Society of Ontario will explore how these feelings manifest in the caregiving journey and provide valuable insights into managing them. Join us | | January 22: The Caregivers’ Guide to Fall Prevention Caregivers are tasked with many responsibilities, from managing medications to ensuring a safe environment for the person you care for. Among these is preventing falls—the most significant risks for older adults. Join us for a special webinar with Parachute, Canada’s injury prevention charity, to learn important strategies and resources to help protect older adults from falls. Register Now | | In this episode, Clare Kumar, an organizing expert, discusses how an organized schedule in your home and life can decrease stress. Discover Kumar’s coveted Four-Step P.L.A.N., a technique that breaks down organizing into four simple tasks. Listen Now | | Anger and frustration are common emotions in caregiving, often arising when advocating for a care recipient, managing family dynamics, or navigating difficult appointments where symptoms aren’t clearly communicated. In this webinar, Melina Ladouceur, a registered social worker, explores anger and frustration in caregiving, offering practical tools to manage these emotions before burnout sets in. Watch It Again | | Planning to travel during the holiday season? This tip sheet can help, whether you’re travelling with or without the person you care for. | | 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. | As a charity, the Ontario Caregiver Organization accepts donations to support its purpose of improving the lives of Ontario Caregivers. | | | | |
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