Partner Projects
Since 1999, 13 organizations have received project funding.
Alberta Caregivers Association (Edmonton), Freedom and Friendship
Using trained volunteers, this project provides caregiver respite through companionship and assistance for caregivers and care recipients. Support and information services are also provided to caregivers during the assessment and follow-up processes.
Project continues until May 2007
Canadian Association for Community Living, Securing Respite: Building Effective Strategies for Family Caregivers
This project develops practical resources for family members who provide unpaid care to children, youth, and adults with disabilities. The Respite Advocacy Resource Guide developed by the project's national team helps families find the flexible and individualized support they need to realize respite.
Project continues until December 2006
Caregivers Nova Scotia, The Community Caregivers' Project: The Best It Can Be (formerly known as the Family Caregivers Association of Nova Scotia)
This project created a caregiver information clearinghouse, community-based respite initiatives, leaders' training for caregiver support groups, and partnerships with government and other community organizations. It was the first project developed by this new organization whose work continues with funding support from the Nova Scotia government and other partners.
Family Caregivers' Network Society (Victoria, BC), Supporting Family Caregivers
This project found ways to enhance relationships between family caregivers and health care providers, and encourage support and education for family caregivers in the workplace. The activities included:
- Writing and publishing of a Resource Guide for Family Caregivers, a guide to help family caregivers make informed decisions and access supports and services
- Teambuilding forums for health care providers in long-term care facilities and family caregivers of facility residents
- Educational workshops to inform students in health care training programs about family caregivers
- Strategies for supporting caregivers in the workplace
- Writing and publishing of Activities to Support Family Caregivers: Facilitators' Manual — a resource that provides facilitators with a detailed description of how to use the project's support strategies
Both of the print resources continue to be produced and distributed by the Family Caregivers' Network Society.
Hamilton/Wentworth (Hamilton, ON), Caregiver Respite and Support (CaReS) Project
This project surveyed caregivers, physicians, clergy, parish nurses and social service providers to identify caregivers' needs. The survey results were shared through the development and delivery of:
- Academic and community education presentations
- A one-day workshop and information fair
- Information-sharing events with caregivers and relevant organizations in the Hamilton area
- A new Web site for caregivers
- Four educational telephone messages offered to the public through St. Joseph's Healthcare Consumer Health Information Service
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (National Office),The Caring Balance: Supporting Caregivers and People with MS on Their Journey Together
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (National Office) piloted a Caregiver Wellness funding program. Caregivers of people with MS applied for funds for self-care plans and wellness activities that would help them maintain their health and well-being.
The need for this support was clear when funds were gone after only six weeks, during Phase Two of the pilot. The MS Society has used the project findings to develop a plan for caregiver support within the organization. Implementation of that plan is proceeding.
Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, Inuit Family Caregivers Strategy
This project included a needs assessment of 25 Inuit caregivers through telephone interviews and contact with other key informants in several remote Inuit communities. An advisory committee of Inuit women caregivers and community health care workers helped develop the needs assessment and the overall project. Community visits, promotional materials, and activities such as radio call-in shows raised community awareness of caregiving issues and encouraged people to identify themselves and seek respite support. A public service announcement was also created and will be played on radio stations across the North.
Project continues until June 2006
Providence Healthcare (Scarborough, ON), Tamil Caregiver Project
This community-based and community-driven project was created to find better ways to provide support to Tamil-speaking caregivers in Toronto. Tamil caregivers' needs were identified through extensive community consultation and a research survey. The project continues to gather Tamil caregivers in East Toronto in a supportive environment and provides them with information on how to access health care services in the community. The project also facilitates respite for caregivers, surveys and documents their ongoing needs, and provides information on the impact of diseases through education seminars.
This ongoing project is fully funded by the volunteer fundraising efforts of the community. Providence Healthcare has also launched similar outreach efforts for caregivers in other cultural communities.
Schizophrenia Society of Canada (National Office), Respite Needs of People Living with Schizophrenia
This project involved a national survey to document the respite needs of Schizophrenia Society members. Two surveys were developed to obtain information on the respite needs of family caregivers and of individuals living with a psychiatric disability. Information from the surveys will help the Schizophrenia Society of Canada develop an action plan to raise awareness about the importance of respite for caregivers of people living with a psychiatric disability and advocate for programs and supports that will respond to their needs.
Seniors Resource Centre Association of Newfoundland & Labrador, Caregivers Out of Isolation
This project provided a province-wide toll-free Caregiver Line and a newsletter for caregivers of all ages in more than 150 communities. Eight regional Caregiver Networks were also established. The Networks are committees made up of local community groups, government agencies, and caregivers. They host events, share information, raise community awareness about caregiving, and develop other supports. The 2nd annual provincial Caregivers of Family and Friends Week has also been celebrated thanks to these collective efforts. Caregivers Out of Isolation has now become an ongoing program of the Seniors Resource Centre.
The Foundation for Vital Aging and CSSS Cavendish (Montréal, QC), Care-ring Voice
Care-Ring Voice is a bilingual, Quebec-wide telephone conferencing program for caregivers. This free and confidential program provides caregivers with information and support through interactive telephone calls. A caregiver information line was also set up so caregivers could access the teleconferencing service and/or receive one-to-one referrals and information.
Project continues until February 2007
The Lighthouse, Children and Families/Le Phare, Enfants et Familles (Montréal, QC), Home Respite
This project has developed and expanded an in-home respite program provided by volunteers, with the goal of supporting families caring for children with life-threatening illnesses in the greater Montréal area. Volunteers provide recreational activities for gravely ill children in their own homes, thus offering respite to parents.
In addition to the in-home respite program, the organization is setting up a respite and children's palliative care home. Known as The Lighthouse Home, it will provide palliative care services and respite and support services for children and their families.
VON Canada (National Office), Learning to Listen — Listening to Learn
The Victorian Order of Nurses (National Office) consulted caregivers to find ways to transform the traditional orientation of their programs and services from one that focuses only on the care receiver to one that includes caregivers.
The project involved setting up a national Caregiver Best Practice team and creating a Caregiver Best Practice manual.
Funding from other sources has allowed ongoing support for this work. A three-hour orientation session on caregivers and caregiving is now available for all new staff. A facilitator's manual was developed to support the training. The organization now has a greater focus on caregiver support and formally recognizes caregivers as "partners in care."