Caregiver Resources
Ontario Caregiver Organization: One Point of Contact for Caregivers
In the Northbrook, Denbigh and surrounding areas, 28% of residents are family caregivers. Family caregivers are ordinary people who provide physical and emotional support to a family member, partner, friend or neighbour.
There are almost 4 million family caregivers in Ontario, but the reality is that all Ontarians have been or will be a family caregiver or a receiver of care at some point in their lives.
For example, caring for a child with a disability, taking parents to doctor’s appointments and coordinating their care, supporting a friend or neighbour by bringing them a meal or picking up their prescriptions, or helping a spouse or parent with everyday activities like eating, using the washroom and/or monitoring medications.
There are only four kinds of people in the world – those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers.
– Rosalynn Carter, former first lady of the United States
As a family caregiver, you play an important role in the health care system.
Family caregivers need support too! Far too often, caregivers don’t reach out for help until they reach a point of burnout or are in crisis.
In Ontario, we have an organization that exists to support caregivers by being their one point of access to information, so they have what they need to be successful in their role. The Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) programs and services are available, free of charge, to caregivers across the province.
Here are some of their free programs and supports:
- Peer Support Program
- Online Support Groups
- Online Learning Library
- Educational Webinar Series
- Young Caregivers Website
- Time to Talk Podcast
Take the time to care for yourself. For more information visit the Ontario Caregiver Organization.