Caregiving Community Program

Are you an informal or family caregiver?

According to the most recent Canadian statistics, there are over 7.8 million people over the age of 15 who provide care to a family member or a friend of all ages. You may not even realize you’re a caregiver because you’re doing things to help someone with whom you have a special relationship. Informal or family caregivers have an important role in society, they are largely unpaid and often their needs remain unmet. 1 in 4 Canadians provides some kind caregiving support to someone they care about, and many take on this role because of a relationship or feeling of obligation. Caring for someone you love who suffers from a complex condition or loss of autonomy due to aging or illness can be overwhelming. It can also cause caregivers to feel lonely and isolated. Our program is a way for English-speaking caregivers to gain knowledge, support and awareness of the resources around them. It can be especially challenging to navigate your way as a caregiver as an English speaker…let us help you find your community at ARC.

ARC Caregiving Community Programs – We’re here to support you

ARC Caregiving Community Program was created to support and empower caregivers and is made possible with the financial support of Appui proches aidants. We offer a flexible and welcoming approach to build a community and add to their toolkit of knowledge. There’s no need to feel alone when you can surround yourself with people who understand the realities of caregiving.

Caregivers Cafe

Looking for a welcoming space that’s fun, informative and created just for caregivers? Caregivers Cafe takes place every Wednesday at our Activity Centre at 91 Churchill Blvd. from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Not only is the ‘Cafe’ a great opportunity for caregivers to meet other people and socialize, but we also have workshops where you can learn from health professionals and discover local resources and meet representatives from community organizations who can offer solutions and support.

Caregiving Community Workshops – Online

Caregivers need tools and training so they can learn to take care of themselves while taking care of others. Do you ever wish you had access to a caregiving expert to answer your questions? Our online workshop program is a way to join the community from the comfort of home. We host interactive workshops throughout the year featuring great content and facilitated by a nursing professional, covering important health care topics such as:

Protecting loved ones from injuries at home
Caregiver Mental Wellbeing – Understanding caregiver burnout, stress and depression and the importance of self-care
Infection Prevention and what you need to know about vaccines
Dementia 101 – Understanding neurocognitive illnesses, behaviours, confusion, aging and how to spot red flags
Caregiver Communication – Learning to speak up and have your voice heard with family members and in the health system
Elder Mistreatment – Important updates for caregivers
Workshops developed for caregivers on heart health, medication safety, skin conditions, and much more!

Virtual Monthly Support Group

Join our online community and receive support and helpful guidance from a social worker on how to manage stress. Share your experiences with fellow caregivers and gain valuable self-care tools.