As many of us are beginning to look ahead to the new year and hoping for recovery from some of the impacts of the pandemic, OCO will continue its monthly webinar offerings. Our webinars are bilingual, and offer opportunities to explore self-care, personal reflection and practical supports for caregivers.

Here are some of the upcoming webinar topics caregivers can look forward to in 2021:

Our webinars will be posted to our events calendar as soon as registration opens. You can also visit our events calendar for more information on events for caregivers across Ontario.

The holidays will be different this year, and while many caregivers already feel isolated, holidays in the time of COVID-19 can be a reminder of the distance between us.

While there are many ways that families can create new traditions, we know that caregivers are feeling pandemic fatigue and the challenge of being away from family members and friends.

Caregiving puts stress on the caregiver’s own mental health. Nearly half (47%) of caregivers are dealing with the care recipient’s anxiety and stress over COVID-19 and its restrictions and are unable to take the breaks or access the social interaction they need. As a result, more than half (52%) find it stressful to manage their own emotions.

For caregivers, taking care of their own mental health should be a top priority, however, it is often a challenge to do so. During COVID-19, this has become even more difficult than before.

OCO has many programs available to support caregivers, including our online support groups, our peer support programs, and the SCALE Program. If you’re a caregiver and finding it difficult to cope, you can also reach out to our 24/7 Caregiver Helpline at 1-833-416-2273 (CARE) for information and referrals to services nearest you.

The SCALE Program (Supporting Caregiver Awareness, Learning and Empowerment) aims to empower you with practical information and skills to enhance self-awareness with a focus on your own needs and well-being. The SCALE program was launched this fall for the third time and will be offered again in February 2021, in English and French.

In these weekly webinars we cover topics that support caregivers on their journey, such as:

• Your Caregiving Journey

• How Caregiving Stress Affects You

• Becoming a Mindful Caregiver

• The Self-Compassionate Caregiver

• How Caregivers can Overcome Sadness & Guilt

• How Caregivers can Overcome Anxiety & Anger

• Find Your Caregiving Strengths

• Time for Self-Care While Caregiving

This program is a flexible offering designed to support caregivers. We understand that caregivers’ time is valuable. The SCALE program can be followed sequentially, or as individual webinars, and includes the option of group or individual counseling. All webinars are recorded so that caregivers can follow along at a pace that is comfortable and suits their schedule.

We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased demand for mental health services. We’re pleased to partner with the Canadian Mental Health Association on BounceBack Ontario.

BounceBack is a free, guided self-help program that’s effective in helping people aged 15 and up who are experiencing mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression, or may be feeling low, stressed, worried, irritable or angry.

Participants receive telephone coaching, skill-building workbooks and online videos to help them overcome these symptoms and gain new skills to regain positive mental health. To receive telephone coaching support, clients must either be referred by their primary care provider (family doctor, nurse practitioner) or psychiatrist, or they may self-refer as long as they’re connected with a primary care provider. For those who are not quite ready for coaching, the BounceBack online videos can provide helpful tips.